Bought a trailer, WDH questions

[tcp]

So we bought a trailer to tow with the Sienna:

Its a 2005 18Ft Bantam Flyer:

http://www.trail-lite.com/PDFs/Bantam_Flier.pdf

Dry weight is around 2600lbs.

I've got the van wired and hitch installed, as well as airbags in the rear coils. I also have a Reese 10000lb WDH system like this one:

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD2~66021.htm

Can I use such a heavy duty WDH system with such a lightweight trailer or is it just too much of a mismatch? Experience anyone? Also, the WDH system probably weighs 100lbs by itself.

[scubajoe]

You might get some other answers here:
http://www.lightweightcamperforum.com/
In the towing section, but I have a FunFinder T160, and only have the airbags. I am perfectly happy with that, and don't have any plans to add a WDH. I know that doesn't answer your question, but some of the folks over at the camper forum might have some other thoughts for you ... and they may not have found their way over here yet.

[who1975]

In my very limited knowledge, I thought I read that you want to try to match your WDH to the weight you will be towing. I think it might be over-kill with what you have. I have a single-bar WDH and it can handle up to 450lbs. of tonuge weight. Hope this helps.


Bill

[brian_bp]

I almost bought the same trailer, but decided it was just too much (too heavy, too much drag, too much hitch weight) for us... but I believe that it is still within a Sienna's range.

I thought that the hitch weight in a loaded condition would exceed the Sienna's weight-carrying limit, and thus a WD system would be required; the cost, complication, and weight (as already mentioned) drove me away from that option.

The WD system spring stiffness is related to how much load is to be transferred from the van's rear axle to the front, and that has some relationship to the hitch load. With this trailer - or anything towed by a Sienna - I can't imagine wanting to transfer nearly as much load as the "1000 lb" spring bars are designed for. With spring bars which are too stiff, big changes in force will be created by going over humps and bumps and dips. Fortunately, most WD systems have interchangeable spring bars of various sizes, so it is likely that the same head can be used with the lightest available bars and be closer to appropriate.

I think an even better WD system match would be one of the light-duty systems (such as Bill's single-bar by Cequent) which have springs bars lighter than any option of the models that cover the "1000 lb" range; as a bonus, they would also have lighter heads. Just about every company which makes WD systems has one or more light-duty models.

Please keep in mind when considering my comments that while I understand how WD systems work (in quite a bit of detail), I don't have direct experience with them. In towing several trailers over a few decades with a few vehicles I just have not yet hit a combination which needed a WD system... but it looks like the Bantam Flyer / Sienna would need it.

[magicalme]

Don't forget to add the weight of the hitch and the WD system to your total .

[tcp]

I guess I should update. I bought a set of bars for the existing hitch I had that are rated at 200-600lb tongue weight. They should work fine. I can just lift the tongue without the battery in its box so it must be in the 200-250lb range. add 50lbs for battery and some for fresh water and we'll be right around the 350 lbs. we can adjust internal stuff a bit to keep it there. Our trailer is much like the one shown here:

http://siennachat.com/forum/index.ph...6.html#msg2146

but much smaller than this:

http://siennachat.com/forum/index.ph...6.html#msg2196

I'd love to have more info on that setup just for info's sake!!

I almost bought the same trailer, but decided it was just too much (too heavy, too much drag, too much hitch weight) for us... but I believe that it is still within a Sienna's range.

I thought that the hitch weight in a loaded condition would exceed the Sienna's weight-carrying limit, and thus a WD system would be required; the cost, complication, and weight (as already mentioned) drove me away from that option.

The WD system spring stiffness is related to how much load is to be transferred from the van's rear axle to the front, and that has some relationship to the hitch load. With this trailer - or anything towed by a Sienna - I can't imagine wanting to transfer nearly as much load as the "1000 lb" spring bars are designed for. With spring bars which are too stiff, big changes in force will be created by going over humps and bumps and dips. Fortunately, most WD systems have interchangeable spring bars of various sizes, so it is likely that the same head can be used with the lightest available bars and be closer to appropriate.

I think an even better WD system match would be one of the light-duty systems (such as Bill's single-bar by Cequent) which have springs bars lighter than any option of the models that cover the "1000 lb" range; as a bonus, they would also have lighter heads. Just about every company which makes WD systems has one or more light-duty models.

Please keep in mind when considering my comments that while I understand how WD systems work (in quite a bit of detail), I don't have direct experience with them. In towing several trailers over a few decades with a few vehicles I just have not yet hit a combination which needed a WD system... but it looks like the Bantam Flyer / Sienna would need it.

[magicalme]

The tention is adjustable on that WD SYSTEM . You'll have to play with it a little to see witch link on the chain gives you the best ride . I would use a sway control also ( if it was me ) . You should make sure the trailer can use a WD SYSTEM , a lot of small pop ups and other small trailers can't ( frame damage can happen )

[brian_bp]

The tention is adjustable on that WD SYSTEM . You'll have to play with it a little to see witch link on the chain gives you the best ride ...

Yes, virtually any WD system can be adjusted: what is being changed is the force being applied (down on the trailer frame) by the spring bars when everything is stationary. The adjustment is both how far the bars are bent when hooking up. The same force can be reached with soft (lower capacity) spring bars bent a lot, or stiff (higher capacity) spring bars bent a little. Even with the right bars, this is a good reminder that the WD system needs to be set up properly.

The difference between spring bars of different capacity is that the amount the force changes when the angle between the Sienna and the trailer changes (such as when driving over a hump or through a dip) - stiff bars mean big changes, which are not appropriate for a light trailer or for the Sienna... we're not driving one-ton trucks with massive frame rails here! tcp's new softer bars are still stiffer than required to do the amount of load (weight) transfer required, but I think they are much better suited to the rig than the original "1000 lb" spring bars.

[tcp]

It's going to require some playing with to get it figured out, i'm sure. I also have airbags keep things in check for initial sag settings. This trailer comes with a 2 5/16" ball and enclosed A frame rails. It'll handle the WDH without issue. I have also shortened the shank length of the hitch by almost 6". It was jutting out a looooong way creating even more overhang the first time I tried it out.

The tention is adjustable on that WD SYSTEM . You'll have to play with it a little to see witch link on the chain gives you the best ride . I would use a sway control also ( if it was me ) . You should make sure the trailer can use a WD SYSTEM , a lot of small pop ups and other small trailers can't ( frame damage can happen )