Trailer towing question: WD or sway control hitch?

[Rumline]

As far as tongue weight, we haven't weighed it (just got the trailer, literally, yesterday afternoon) but given that the trailer weight is close to 3000 I'd guess 300 - 450 (10 - 15%)

Late to the game but I've learned that you cannot trust the manufacturer's specs with regard to weight. Also most travel trailers are well above 10% tongue weight, more like 15-20%. You really need to take it to a CAT scale, not only to get the real weight of the (loaded) trailer, but also to ensure you've got the weight distribution dialed in correctly.

This trailer is pretty light so you're probably fine but I still recommend checking out your truck's payload rating (on a sticker in the driver's door jamb). Depending on how many people and how much stuff you cram in there for a trip (plus the tongue weight and hitch weight) you could exceed it.

Congrats on the camper! I hope you enjoy the heck out of it.

[clodhopper]

Late to the game but I've learned that you cannot trust the manufacturer's specs with regard to weight. Also most travel trailers are well above 10% tongue weight, more like 15-20%. You really need to take it to a CAT scale, not only to get the real weight of the (loaded) trailer, but also to ensure you've got the weight distribution dialed in correctly.

This. Don't go by common thumb rules. RV makers put more time into fancy layouts than they do properly locating the axles, or they use the same frame/axle systems for different RVs and the weights are all screwy.

The WD hitch is a huge change in towing behavior. The bumper droop at bumps is greatly diminished and feels much more solid on the road. Don't get too anal on the friction bar sway control. The WD system is sway resistant without it due to the spring bar friction. Most people I know with the WD don't use the sway control. I have one that came with my hitch (craigslist purchase) and it has never been on the truck. Try towing without it first. I think you will be surprised how much the WD alone improves the feel.

[Martinjmpr]

This. Don't go by common thumb rules. RV makers put more time into fancy layouts than they do properly locating the axles, or they use the same frame/axle systems for different RVs and the weights are all screwy.

The WD hitch is a huge change in towing behavior. The bumper droop at bumps is greatly diminished and feels much more solid on the road. Don't get too anal on the friction bar sway control. The WD system is sway resistant without it due to the spring bar friction. Most people I know with the WD don't use the sway control. I have one that came with my hitch (craigslist purchase) and it has never been on the truck. Try towing without it first. I think you will be surprised how much the WD alone improves the feel.

I presume you're talking about the shock-absorber looking thing? Yeah, I wasn't planning on using one. The WD setup that has been recommended (the 6,000lb E2) supposedly has sway control characteristics due to the square bars that provide some friction and keep the trailer from wiggling around too much.

As I said above, with a Suburban I'm not as worried as I would be if I had a smaller tow vehicle, but I think just for the peace-of-mind I'm going to go ahead and get the WD system. Depending on how that works I may or may not use the air bags.

[clodhopper]

Well, the WD is a lot cheaper than bags. Plus you can move the WD to another vehicle (a buddy or another family member) if you need to tow with that. My RV is just over the tongue rating for my F250 which is why I got the WD originally, but after using it, I pretty much use it for all bumper pulls. If the trailer is really light or empty, I may not put the spring bars on, but I will with a load. It moves some of the tongue load to your front axle by imparting a rotational force at the bumper. It does handle different on bumpy roads, but it feels more stable. Certainly feels less likely the trailer will try and pass you up.