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When we bought our trailer I drove it home and handled the WDH myself. I was able to get a better hitch, 6K Equal-i-zer, at a much better price than I could from my dealer. I also didn't have the additional installation fee they wanted to charge. I had about a 120 mile drive and my tow vehicle at the time needed a WDH to put weight back on the front end. However since I could avoid interstates and go at my own pace I didn't mind the one way trip to save some dollars. I also learned a lot about how the WDH works from setting it up myself.
As to what you should do that is up to you. I'd find out what the dealer is proposing and compare that to internet prices and other brands. I'd consider how far I have to drive and what type of traffic you'll encounter. Lastly I'd see what the dealer would charge to install the hitch if you supply it. It might be a decent compromise on overall cost.
Installed mine myself. The instructions that came with my Equal-I-zer 1000/10000 were very straight forward. You're going to need to know how to adjust it anyway as your loads change (we all end up hauling along more than we originally thought). Picked it up at PPL Motorhomes for a great price as well.
For both trailers, I shopped online for WDH and got best price. I then gave that number to trailer dealer. Both were more than happy to match it and both charged ~ $100 to install.
Originally Posted by Coulter
Ok guys, so I bought the trailer. My next question is, should I let the trailer dealer sell me and install a weight distribution hitch? Or should I buy one and put it together on my own? I'm not sure what brand they sell and I'm waiting for them to call me back about it, but they act like it's something they should put on, but I think they just want to make another sale. I think I'd rather buy a quality hitch and put it on myself assuming there's not much to it.
You need to know why and how to adjust it and how to weigh it to find out if it is adjusted properly. Nothing wrong with paying the dealer $100 to install and adjust it. Just watch them do it and ask "why" every time they do something. Don't sit in the showroom while they do it. If they won't let you watch, no deal. Better yet is to have an experienced friend work with you to learn how to do it.
My cheap, simple EAZ Lift WDH came with the used camper from the previous owner. I bought the friction bar sway control and added that. So far, so good. Here is the info from the three times I weighed mine as I learned to move cargo from the truck to the trailer and how to adjust the hitch to get the weights within the recommended limits.
Likely too late since you already bought the trailer but i had my dealer give me and install my wd hitch as part of the deal i made. Most likely could have set it up myself but i have to say the set it up perfectly for me. My truck and trailer sit nice and level and ive felt no sway what so ever towing it.
I just bought a new TT in February, Coachmen FE 257 BHS. Dealer included E2 Fastway WDH & Sway control system. They "installed" it, basically bolted it together and connected it to my truck without taking any measurements that I saw. It wagged/swayed a bit on my my drive home. When I looked at it at home it appeared the front end of the trailer was tipped up a bit, which is how it felt driving really. Ended up buying the necessary tools so that I could make my own adjustments. Bottom line, be picky at the dealer, or be prepared to fix/adjust it on your own afterward.
04-11-2017, 06:44 PM
