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03-10-2016, 01:44 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 5
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Best anti-sway device for Fun Finder X
I have a 16 foot Fun Finder X that I pull with a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. At higher speeds and without water or load I experience a lot of sway. I've read a lot of ideas about increasing the tongue weight, etc.... Best solution? I'm guessing maybe a stabilizing hitch like the Equal-I-Zer? Recommendations would be much appreciated before a longer road trip this Spring.
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03-10-2016, 05:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,330
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This is the equalizer hitch we bought with our 189FBR. We pull our trailer with a 2006 Jeep Liberty. It is rated for 5000# towing capacity. It tows beautifully with this hitch configuration.
http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/wp-con...0710_small.pdf
http://www.progressmfg.com/public/de...essCatalog.pdf
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__________________
2008 Fun Finder 189 FBR, (replaced by) 1996 Shasta 265DBFW April 2017.
2006 Jeep Liberty 3.7 (replaced by.....)
2006 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, crew cab
It's a big world...explore it!!!
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03-10-2016, 10:19 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 5
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Thank you!!!
I appreciate your time and knowledge on the tip. My trailer is a single axle so maybe I could go with a smaller version but your sound advice much appreciated! Happy travels....
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03-11-2016, 05:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon
I appreciate your time and knowledge on the tip. My trailer is a single axle so maybe I could go with a smaller version but your sound advice much appreciated! Happy travels....
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Happy to share what we ended up with. I think you will be happier with an anti-sway type of hitch.
Here is more info on the subject that you may have already seen.
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx
__________________
2008 Fun Finder 189 FBR, (replaced by) 1996 Shasta 265DBFW April 2017.
2006 Jeep Liberty 3.7 (replaced by.....)
2006 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, crew cab
It's a big world...explore it!!!
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03-11-2016, 06:58 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,287
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Have you checked to see what your tongue weight is? It should be around 15% of the total trailer weight. It not it can cause sway. I would verify the weights you are dealing with before spending more money on something you might not need.
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2011 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab 4X4
2009 210 WBS
Prodigy P3
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03-11-2016, 07:55 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,142
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Do you have an anti-sway friction bar? That works for me, and it is very easy and inexpensive.
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03-11-2016, 08:07 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LJAZ
Have you checked to see what your tongue weight is? It should be around 15% of the total trailer weight. It not it can cause sway. I would verify the weights you are dealing with before spending more money on something you might not need.
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Good point.
Here is how to calculate tongue weight.
Hitching Up - Trailer - Tongue Weight
__________________
2008 Fun Finder 189 FBR, (replaced by) 1996 Shasta 265DBFW April 2017.
2006 Jeep Liberty 3.7 (replaced by.....)
2006 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, crew cab
It's a big world...explore it!!!
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03-11-2016, 11:05 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,106
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I have the Equal-i-zer hitch with the built in 4 way anti sway and it works great. I've never experienced any sway even when pulling in 30-40 mph wind.
It always blows out here on the prairie! A 20 mph air movement is just a 'slight breeze'
I did not like the crunch/screech noise when backing with the Equalizer hitch but that was eliminated with these pads: Sway Bracket Jacket (pair) : Equal-i-zer Hitch Store and I highly recommend them.
Michigantraveler linked you to how to check your tongue weight. Do it when loaded for a trip tho.
I scored a Shurline tongue weight scale off Ebay one day for cheap.....like this:
Robot Check
Now it only takes a few minutes to get an accurate tongue weight as load differently at times with the toy hauler.
__________________
2012 Fun Finder XT 276 Toy Hauler & Harley Davidson Ultra Classic with Condor wheel chock
2014 Dodge Ram 2500 AT 4X4 Crew Cab 6.4 L Hemi, 373 gears, tow package, Rambox option, Revolver X2 tonneau cover, Equal-I-zer anti-sway hitch.
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03-11-2016, 10:42 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 5
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I'm researching all these great links you've all provided. Thank you! So is an equalizer hitch different from a anti-sway hitch? And most of you are recommending an anti-sway hitch? The one link is for Equil-i-zer hitch. What TYPE is that one? Great reviews it gets.
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03-12-2016, 01:57 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Minden, NV
Posts: 34
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It's weight distribution and anti-sway. One of the best out there.
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03-12-2016, 07:27 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtwcummins
It's weight distribution and anti-sway. One of the best out there.
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Yup ~ what stated above. Also I believe it was voted best weight distributing anti sway hitch on the market by Trailer Life or some other RV magazine like about 4 or 5 years in a row.
In my opinion, the only one that may be better as never used one is the Henley Hitch......but very pricey.
Check them out here: https://hensleymfg.com/
__________________
2012 Fun Finder XT 276 Toy Hauler & Harley Davidson Ultra Classic with Condor wheel chock
2014 Dodge Ram 2500 AT 4X4 Crew Cab 6.4 L Hemi, 373 gears, tow package, Rambox option, Revolver X2 tonneau cover, Equal-I-zer anti-sway hitch.
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03-12-2016, 11:48 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,142
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The item I recommend for a very small trailer is a simple friction bar anti-sway -- not a weight distribution device. In my opinion, weight distribution is overkill for a very small trailer. It is not as easy to use.
For a bigger trailer, of course you would want a WD unit.
There are folks who disagree with me and say that you always need WD, for every trailer.
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03-14-2016, 01:54 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,330
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More basic info on anti-sway bars.
RV Anti Sway Bar Basics | USA Today
__________________
2008 Fun Finder 189 FBR, (replaced by) 1996 Shasta 265DBFW April 2017.
2006 Jeep Liberty 3.7 (replaced by.....)
2006 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, crew cab
It's a big world...explore it!!!
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03-17-2016, 09:34 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 332
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If you are having trailer sway issues, as noted by other posters, you have set up issues. Not enough tongue weight is likely the problem. The sway issue should be dealt with first, then the addition of antisway device can be added as an "insurance item".
The choice as to whether to use a WD hitch on your trailer ans SUV should be based on how much tongue weight you actually have, what your receiver limits are, and how much load is being removed from the steer axle.
I can't remember if that year Pathy has independent rear suspension or a solid axle. That would also play in to the decision regarding WD hitch. A Pathy is a very short WB vehicle, so safe operation is going require careful and correct set up.
Having said that, if it were mine, I would just about bet that as a guess, I would end up setting it up with WD with antisway.
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03-26-2016, 10:17 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 206
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Spoon-
This post is a bit late. If you are still looking, you might check out the newer "lite" WD hitch that Equal-i-zer now offers called the 4K. It is specifically designed for light-weight trailers which most people have traditionally towed without WD or anti-sway. One nice thing about Equal-i-zer is that the anti-sway function is built into the design and not an extra friction apparatus to hook up. By the way, I bought my Equal-i-zer used for $100 on Craigslist (it was hardly used) and saved a pile. These things are expensive! Link:
Installation Instructions & Parts Breakdown
__________________
Fun Finder 2006 X189FD sold
Fun Finder 2012 X189FBS sold
2020 Lance model 2075
2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4
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03-26-2016, 10:24 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,142
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jb, I had no idea that there is a lightweight trailer option for an HD hitch -- thanks for the heads up, and I will look into that!
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03-26-2016, 10:42 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 206
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Dan-
Don't want to mislead you. I bought the 10K Equal-i-zer used on Craigslist, not the newer 4K model. Chances are my setup might benefit best from the 6K model, but I haven't been able to find that at a price I am willing to pay. By the way, our friends we camp with regularly use the Anderson WD hitch (which is a radical departure from the common designs). They pull a 21' Lance with a diesel MBZ M350 and really like the chains and conical anti-sway friction cone design. Check it out too.
Jamie
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__________________
Fun Finder 2006 X189FD sold
Fun Finder 2012 X189FBS sold
2020 Lance model 2075
2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4
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