Wuz going to use air bags, but trailer forum says use WDH

[teachndad]

Hi,

This is a wdh question, but I don't think the other wdh thread answered my question.

I am looking for a first gen Sienna to pull my popup that weighs @1400 lbs. I figured the airbags would work, but based on this thread http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/in...g/1/page/1.cfm which I started, the guys are mostly saying get the WDH. I figure most of the guys drive trucks and they are just answering w/o direct experience. My last post in that thread tells about my towing needs. The early posters said that w/o the wdh, there would be traction issues. Anyone encountered these?

I just need to know how many Sienna owners use the airbags with a similarly weighted trailer and no wdh.

FYI

People in my van - 6 people - 3 adults 450 lbs plus three small growing children -210 lbs.
Trailer 1400 lbs (dry). Add @300 lbs for gear and some food(rough guess). Trailer carries two propane tanks on the tongue. Battery is inside the trailer. Trailer is 1985 Starcraft 21 (11 foot box) Maybe that will help with responses.

Thanks.

[dave in wi]

Well this is my opinion - with a 1400 lb trailer you shouldn't need a WDH. Depends what the tongue weight is though.

Not all popups can handle a WDH either. Check with the manufacturer, I know I have a Viking and the trailer tongue is constructed to hold the weight of the trailer only, not the additional loads imposed by a WDH.

My camper weighs 2800 lb loaded, tongue weight 280 lbs. I've found the air bags are all I need.

If you were up nearer the 3500 lb limit, then a WDH is a good idea.

[jsm]

I use airbags as well. My boat and trailer weigh approx 4000#. Tows no problem, but is dicey getting out of launching ramp with boat on. You won't be launching your trailer will you ? (kidding) Weight transfer not worth worrying about in your case unless you get into the mud.

[rstanek]

I'm no expert, but it seems like overkill for a 1,400lb trailer unless the toungue weight is unusually heavy.

We towed a pop-up with our 2000 Sienna that is 1,480lbs dry weight, and probably about 1,650 with all the "stuff" in it, and it towed smoothly (with a sway bar, mind you).

Have not tried it with the 2006 yet (anxious to), but with the extra horses up front, I'm hoping it will actually be better. I did install the airlift in our 2006, but that mostly for the extra height and the tricky driveway we have.

[Texastrooper]

You have a 2000 Sienna which has much way clearance under the hitch than the newer Sienna. I am not even sure you need airlifts.
I have a Viking Popup which weighs about 1700lb. My hitch weight is 190lb. I only use airlifts on my 2004 Sienna. I can't use a WDH since my trailer frame does not allow one.
If your trailer has a C-channel frame you probably won't be able to use one either.

Check you tongue weight of the trailer. With a 1400 lb trailer this should be way less than 200lb. You can use a bathroom scale for that.
I would load the Sienna and hook up the trailer and see how it handles.
Originally I towed my trailer with an Isuzu Trooper. No WDH and no airlifts required.

[teachndad]

I am kind of thinking I won't need the WDH either. That's after thinking about this for a while and the posts to this thread. I haven't had time to measure the tongue weight. Looking forward to checking it during Spring Break, though. My air bags arrived and they are in a box in the garage right now.

I will post when it gets all done and tested.

cheers

Rod