weight distributing, anti-sway hitches

[C.R. Rivian]

Getting an Airstream Basecamp scheduled to come in around the same time as the R1T. The Airstream dealer recommends the SwayPro ( SwayPro Weight Distributing Hitch | Blue Ox | Blue Ox )...well, also sells it.

There are lots of others out there, of course.

New to trailer towing and would like some advice.

Did see from my old Ridgeline manual: <<Weight Distributing Hitch A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your vehicle, as an improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch may reduce handling, stability, and braking performance.>>

This may be CYA from Honda, but wondering if the R1T will come with similar cautions. Don't suppose anyone has seen a manual or any documentation. If so, please share.

Thanks!

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[monzarottie]

Getting an Airstream Basecamp scheduled to come in around the same time as the R1T. The Airstream dealer recommends the SwayPro ( SwayPro Weight Distributing Hitch | Blue Ox | Blue Ox )...well, also sells it.

There are lots of others out there, of course.

New to trailer towing and would like some advice.

Did see from my old Ridgeline manual: <<Weight Distributing Hitch A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your vehicle, as an improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch may reduce handling, stability, and braking performance.>>

This may be CYA from Honda, but wondering if the R1T will come with similar cautions. Don't suppose anyone has seen a manual or any documentation. If so, please share.

Thanks!

While I can't speak to which weight distribution hitch is right for your rig, I strongly believe it's a vital safety requirement. I tow a very light camper (2000lb) and I can really feel the difference when I don't have the bars installed. If you plan to take a a trip of modest to long distance, you'll absolutely want it. Especially on open roads with crosswinds. I recommend working with your Airstream rep to get the right system. Installation is critical as well.

 

[Grabs10]

Getting an Airstream Basecamp scheduled to come in around the same time as the R1T. The Airstream dealer recommends the SwayPro ( SwayPro Weight Distributing Hitch | Blue Ox | Blue Ox )...well, also sells it.

There are lots of others out there, of course.

New to trailer towing and would like some advice.

Did see from my old Ridgeline manual: <<Weight Distributing Hitch A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your vehicle, as an improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch may reduce handling, stability, and braking performance.>>

This may be CYA from Honda, but wondering if the R1T will come with similar cautions. Don't suppose anyone has seen a manual or any documentation. If so, please share.

Thanks!

First of all new here. Was late to the game and didn’t reserve an R1T until a month ago. Hope a bunch of reservation holders back out so I can get mine in early 2022. ?. Unlikely though.

with a WDH is good for towing safely normally? The air stream that you are pulling is 3500 lbs dry. that trailer is pretty light by trailer standards for pickups and the Rivian is pretty heavy tow vehicle. Me personally on a trailer that size i don’t think I would bother with a WDH unless Rivian recommends it for that weight. Also I would wait to see a Rivian towing manual. Air suspension can be a whole different beast on setting up a WDH. They may even may recommend against using one. A trailer dealer will ultimately sell you anything you will buy wether it’s needed or not. But that looks like a nice and easy WDH system.

 

[skyote]

First of all new here. Was late to the game and didn’t reserve an R1T until a month ago. Hope a bunch of reservation holders back out so I can get mine in early 2022. ?. Unlikely though.

with a WDH is good for towing safely normally? The air stream that you are pulling is 3500 lbs dry. that trailer is pretty light by trailer standards for pickups and the Rivian is pretty heavy tow vehicle. Me personally on a trailer that size i don’t think I would bother with a WDH unless Rivian recommends it for that weight. Also I would wait to see a Rivian towing manual. Air suspension can be a whole different beast on setting up a WDH. They may even may recommend against using one. A trailer dealer will ultimately sell you anything you will buy wether it’s needed or not. But that looks like a nice and easy WDH system.

Agree with this. Short, light trailer pulled by a heavy tow vehicle shouldn't be an issue.

I might be more inclined to use one with an R1S, because wheelbase has a lot to do with towing stability as well. However, I would try it even with an R1S before making a determination.

FWIW, my dad tows a 6K 24' RV with a half ton gas truck without WDH (that's lighter than R1T) & it's perfectly stable, even in strong winds.

 

[azbill]

I pull a 5K Boat and a 7K horse trialer with a Sierra 1500 (1/2 ton), no sway bars or load distribution. No issues at all.

I used to have a flatbed that I loaded cars on. I coudl get that to sway if I did not load it properly, i.e. not enough tongue weight.

 

[Modern_American_Male]

IMO, I agree with the others which say you may not need it. However if you watch the "Hot Weather Towing, Progress report". In the Rivian videos you can see the setting up the WDH when hooking and unhooking. (See 4:00, 5:30min) Keep in mind they were towing a trailer around 11000lbs. Which is the top end of the Tow capacity according to Rivian.

 

[JamuJoe]

Getting an Airstream Basecamp scheduled to come in around the same time as the R1T. The Airstream dealer recommends the SwayPro ( SwayPro Weight Distributing Hitch | Blue Ox | Blue Ox )...well, also sells it.

There are lots of others out there, of course.

New to trailer towing and would like some advice.

Did see from my old Ridgeline manual: <<Weight Distributing Hitch A weight distributing hitch is not recommended for use with your vehicle, as an improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch may reduce handling, stability, and braking performance.>>

This may be CYA from Honda, but wondering if the R1T will come with similar cautions. Don't suppose anyone has seen a manual or any documentation. If so, please share.

Thanks!

The Basecamp and R1T should be a great combo! I’ll be mating my R1T to our Airstream FC23FB.
Can you tow the Basecamp without a WDH? Probably. Would a WDH tow better? Probably. I’ve towed our Airstream FC23FB >90,000 mi using the Equalizer WDH. It makes a difference in stability. Two Grand Cherokees and a RAM 1500 with air suspension. I plan to use it with my R1T. Ordered the 400 mile pack, so I must be patient.

 

[Swezey]

RIvian owner's manual suggests > 5,000 lbs should be done with a WDH.

 

[rhumbliner]

When I purchased my Flying Cloud the Airstream dealer also recommended the Blue Ox but I personally felt Curt’s WDH was easier to hitch & unhitch once it’s setup properly. And unfortunately that’s a concern when traveling and using public chargers.

As @Swezey correctly points out, you really only need it when the TT is >5000 lbs and I doubt the BaseCamp comes close to that. I like the idea of having something to reduce sway but in my experience with the weight of the R1T being greater than my Flying Cloud, sway has never been a problem like it was with my Ram 1500.

 

[moosetags]

We tow an Airstream 25FB with our R1T. We use a ProPride Hitch System. Our Airstream weighs 7,400# ready to camp. The 25FB has a 900# tongue weight.

The 20' Basecamp will go about 4,000# loaded with a 500# tongue weight. Being that the R1T is self leveling, you can get by with one of the Reese antisway hitches for around $300. A ProPride runs about $3,500.

Brian

 

[Mathme]

My Audi Q7 was the same as your Passport...thou shall not use a weight distributing hitch. If I recall it had something to do with the unibody and too much weight on it. I did pull 6400lbs of boat trailer with no problems (it had a v8 in it) and boat trailers don't usually have WDH as they utilize surge brakes.

That Base Camp is pretty light as far as towing is concerned compared to the weight of the Rivian and there's little chance that the tail (trailer) will wag the dog (truck) in a crosswind. Additionally, if that trailer weighs 3500 lbs, then the tongue weight will likely be about 350 and there isn't much weight to distribute.

 

[pc500]

The basecamp is 3-4k GVWR.

Pulling with the Rivian... don't waste your time or money. Hook and go.

Pulling behind your Rav4? Get the WD, but get a nice aluminum lightweight one with bars and no chains.

 

[jeepfreakedc]

We tow an Airstream 25FB with our R1T. We use a ProPride Hitch System. Our Airstream weighs 7,400# ready to camp. The 25FB has a 900# tongue weight.

The 20' Basecamp will go about 4,000# loaded with a 500# tongue weight. Being that the R1T is self leveling, you can get by with one of the Reese antisway hitches for around $300. A ProPride runs about $3,500.

Brian

Hey!

We'll have the exact setup! I've got an AS 25FBQ Eddie Bauer Edition and the R1T. Any issues setting up the ProPride with this setup? How has the R1T towed and what kind of range are you getting? I've got a Hensley hitch on my old AS, but considering the ProPride so I don't have to drill into the frame. TIA!

 

[moosetags]

Hey!

We'll have the exact setup! I've got an AS 25FBQ Eddie Bauer Edition and the R1T. Any issues setting up the ProPride with this setup? How has the R1T towed and what kind of range are you getting? I've got a Hensley hitch on my old AS, but considering the ProPride so I don't have to drill into the frame. TIA!

The only difference between your rig and ours is that ours is a 2015 Flying Cloud 25FBT. We only switched to the ProPride last year. For the prior eighteen years, we used a Hensley Arrow hitch system. The ProPride sets up with the Rivian well. It is a little difficult to install the hitch bar as the Rivian's receiver is so far inset. I would recommend setting up the ProPride hitch bar with the vertical adjustment bar in the down position. We have ours in the up position and it almost touches the license plate

The R1T pulls the Airstream as well as our Silverado Duramax. It's only downfall is its 125 to 150 mile range. Our Airstream uses a 30 amp shore power plug. We have been able to plug the Rivian into the campsite's 50 amp outlet overnight. These charge the R1T at between 15 and 18 mph.

Brian

 

[Mickey]

Being that this is an old thread, I’d still like to add my comment.
I have the R1T and tow a 25’ AS. Everyone will agree that towing with the Rivian is fantastic (except for the range). I do use an Andersen WDH and really like the simplicity, ease of use, and simple storage needs. The chain method vs the bars is much better, IMO.

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