Weight Distributing Hitch for Nest?

[NTSJet]

Has anyone found a WD Hitch for a nest that fits without modifying fiberglass?

[NTSJet]

So I guess that’s a no

[n2916s]

Can't imagine you would need one. What is the tongue weight? What are you towing it with?

[NTSJet]

Not so much for the tongue weight, just looking for a level ride. In my experience (admittedly dated) even a small trailer will cause the back of the TV to sag. Or is there a better, easier option?
I have a new Ranger on order

[n2916s]

Well, once the Ranger is on board, measure the distance to the ground from all four wheel wells, hook it up and see how much changes.

If significant, a basic Reese type w/d hitch otherwise carry on...

[NTSJet]

So, that’s the problem, haven’t found a WD hitch yet that doesn’t interfere with the fiberglass battery/LP cover. Just trying to get out in front, won’t see the Ranger until March.

[n2916s]

Well, if you can't get a w/d hitch that will clear the cover, you could use air bags on the Ranger to level it...

[buzzkill58]

I was in Jackson Center for warranty work on my Nest and talked to the tech about a WD hitch. He installed a WD hitch on a Nest for the marketing department that bolted on to the A Frame and did not interfere with the nose cone covers. He tried to track down the manufacturer, but it had been to long since it was ordered to find in their system. He did say the marketing folks were impressed with the improvement in handling. You may have seen pictures of the setup. The TV is a white Porsche Crossover.

We also talked air bags as being helpful also.

[Clawsonjw]

I’m new to travel trailers, the Nest and WD hitches but here are links to a few photos. None are very close but might give a clue to someone in the know.

https://autoweek.com/article/car-lif...m-nest-trailer

https://www.airstream.com/blog/endle...aura-austin-4/

Hope this helps.

[pteck]

Any trailer, even lighter ones like the nest can benefit from a WD hitch.

The autoweek article WD hitch looks very much like an Equalizer. I'm familiar with it as I use one on my larger AS. The two bolt heads at the top of the L bars on the tongue give it away.





The airstream blog article one is using a Reese Dual Cam type variant. Interesting enough...looks like they're not using the cam function, just the WD and friction anti-sway which honestly would be sufficient.

[TheHoff]

Just picked up our Nest 2 weeks ago. After speaking with Patrick at Colonial Airstream, I just hitched the Nest to my Audi Q5 diesel, hooked up the 7 pin connection, balanced the wireless Prodigy brake controller and drove 750 miles home. Absolutely no problems without a weight distribution system.
Of course, this will vary with your vehicle and making sure not to exceed tongue weight and Nest load limits.
I would say hook it up and try it. You can always get an equalizer system later

[buzzkill58]

Update on my hitches... I went up to Jackson Center today for warranty work and installation of the Blue Ox SwayPro hitch. Things did not go well... I had ordered the bolt on cams for the Blue Ox, but those puppies are huge. It was not possible to bolt them to A Frame. What I had not noticed, there is a pan the propane tank sits inside. If the cam was mounted high enough to clear the pan, the fiberglass nose was an issue. Mounted low enough to avoid the nose, the pan is an issue.

But, all is not lost. Airstream has worked with Reese and developed a Reese hitch that will work on the Nest. At the moment, I don’t know if it available outside of Airstream.

The good news is what a difference it made. The Nest tracked my Colorado like it was on rails. Even over rough roads there was no suggestion of sway. I am very impressed.

I just beat the storms home. When the weather permits, I will take a few pics and posted them.

[NTSJet]

Originally Posted by buzzkill58

Update on my hitches... I went up to Jackson Center today for warranty work and installation of the Blue Ox SwayPro hitch. Things did not go well... I had ordered the bolt on cams for the Blue Ox, but those puppies are huge. It was not possible to bolt them to A Frame. What I had not noticed, there is a pan the propane tank sits inside. If the cam was mounted high enough to clear the pan, the fiberglass nose was an issue. Mounted low enough to avoid the nose, the pan is an issue.

But, all is not lost. Airstream has worked with Reese and developed a Reese hitch that will work on the Nest. At the moment, I don’t know if it available outside of Airstream.

The good news is what a difference it made. The Nest tracked my Colorado like it was on rails. Even over rough roads there was no suggestion of sway. I am very impressed.

I just beat the storms home. When the weather permits, I will take a few pics and posted them.

Thanks, so you got it at the dealer, love to see your pictures and any other details.

I’ve been pulling mine on the ball for a few short trips, and it’s been fine. The new ‘19 Ranger seems very capable and comfortable. Longer trips starting in July.

[buzzkill58]

This is what the Reese hitch with the Nest compatible plates look like:

[TheHoff]

Just completed 5 week /3000 mile trip in the Nest. Full length of Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, mountains of NH, Maine coast, Quebec City, upstate NY, WV mountains including gravel and Interstate. Audi Q5 diesel-no Weight distribution system and no issues towing. A lot of the time we forget it is back there it is so smooth.

[Blount-Force]

Originally Posted by TheHoff

Just completed 5 week /3000 mile trip in the Nest. Full length of Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, mountains of NH, Maine coast, Quebec City, upstate NY, WV mountains including gravel and Interstate. Audi Q5 diesel-no Weight distribution system and no issues towing. A lot of the time we forget it is back there it is so smooth.Attachment 352362

Just curious if you guys ever dealt with your car porposing up and down while towing. I just got a nest and pulled it for the first time yesterday, and while it towed easily, I felt as if my truck was porposing up and down some while driving.

Also did you guys lose a lot of MPG while towing your nest? I have a big Ram 1500 and I figured it wouldn't make much of a difference at all but I went from like 17 mpg down to 11 mpg while towing, and just wondering if anyone else has had that same issue.

[TheHoff]

Originally Posted by Blount-Force

Just curious if you guys ever dealt with your car porposing up and down while towing. I just got a nest and pulled it for the first time yesterday, and while it towed easily, I felt as if my truck was porposing up and down some while driving.

Also did you guys lose a lot of MPG while towing your nest? I have a big Ram 1500 and I figured it wouldn't make much of a difference at all but I went from like 17 mpg down to 11 mpg while towing, and just wondering if anyone else has had that same issue.

An occasional porpoising is not unusual. If it is the norm, you might have a problem. I would think your truck would not have a weight distribution issue. My Audi didn’t.
As for MPG. My diesel Audi went from 36 MPG to 17-19 MPG pulling the Nest. I think that is both the weight of the Nest and the wind resistance.

[Heffalump]

Can anyone tell me the hitch height when the nest is level? Trying to make sure i get the right receiver installed before we go pick up our nest. Thanks!

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by Heffalump

Can anyone tell me the hitch height when the nest is level? Trying to make sure i get the right receiver installed before we go pick up our nest. Thanks!

I went with the Weigh Safe 6" adjustable. (gives you 6" up and 6" down) I can use it on many different trailers with different hitch heights. Also came with 2 ball sizes to add to the versatility of the hitch.

I like the tongue weight scale as well, takes the guess work out of it.

Our setup is a Sport 22FB and a Honda Ridgeline. When we picked up the Sport, the trailer was sitting high in the rear and the Honda was squatting a bit.

I popped the height adjustment pin and moved the hitch up an inch in less than a minute and levelled out the trailer. The Honda was actually more level than I was used to so it worked out well. It sits a bit high in the rear when unloaded.

We aren't running a WDH at the moment and I am on the fence as to if I really need one. The Sport pulls so well and seems very stable.

[BeSerious]

Originally Posted by Heffalump

Can anyone tell me the hitch height when the nest is level? Trying to make sure i get the right receiver installed before we go pick up our nest. Thanks!

When our 2019 NEST 16U is parked & leveled, the base of the hitch is 15" above the pavement. The top of the receiver on our BMW X5 is 15.5" above the pavement when unloaded. When the X5 is loaded for camping and the NEST is attached, the rear of the X5 is a little lower.

BeSerious