[h2mayo]

Hey Everyone,
We own a 2017 Armada Platinum. It can tow 8500 max and the trailer is gonna be about 4500-5000 with everything in it. I have towed a boat that weights that much with no problem. This trailer is gonna be a 21 footer footer. Any suggestions on anything special I should purchase? A weight distributor hitch, etc.

 

[Mike_S]

I have a camper of about the same weight.

IMHO, you should get a WDH. Max tongue weight without is 500 lb. With a WDH, it's 850 lb. 10-15% of the trailer weight should be on the tongue, and the trailer is more stable at the higher end. Without a WDH you'd have to balance the trailer pretty closely - 10% of 5000 is 500 lbs, so you'd have to balance exactly to be "in spec." A WDH gives you more leeway. It's also safer because it puts weight back on the front tires, and makes for an easier and more comfortable tow. Note that tongue weight is always measured without the WDH, although once connected they do take weight off the hitch (and rear axle) and distribute it to the front axle and trailer (hence, "weight distributing").

I'm happy with my 600 lb Fastway E2 round bar one, although I might get an Equal-i-zer if I were to do it again. They're both made by the same people, and are nice because you don't have to do anything special when backing up. Both have some amount of sway control (more with the Equal-i-zer). With some WDH, you have to remove the arms before backing up. If you don't already have one, an electric tongue jack makes things much easier when hooking/unhooking. My Husky HB3000 has been reliable.

(no affiliation with any of the products mentioned, just a satisfied customer)

 

[h2mayo]

Thank you sir. Definitely doing with the whole package now, including the stabilizing bars. We hope to move up in another 4-5 years to a bigger camper. Of course, the armada might have to be traded in by then.

 

[memphismachinist]

I am waiting on delivery for my Andersen WDH. I have an e2 round bar hitch, for my 4Runner, but did not really like it. So while getting tow ready to pull out next week, I decided to switch brands. I am pulling a smaller trailer than you, 3440 dry, about 4K loaded. I did install airbag helper springs into my freas installed coil springs.