Suspension WDH questions

pauljygrant

Well-Known Member
Apr 1, 2015
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Hi All,
Still trying to sort out my ball weight issues and choose new leaf springs for the Navara. On my recent trip to Sydney, the springs were so badly inverted that could only just get my fingers between the Navara leaf spring and the bump stop!
Each suspension specialist has a different recommendation but all agree that the ute will ride fairly harsh when empty given the heavy duty springs required. Recommendations between 150kg and 350kg have been given.
Whilst I wold prefer to fix the tow vehicle suspension first, rather than try to manipulate weight especially given Nissan saying not to use a WDH, I suspect that I might not have any option and a WDH might enable m to choose a marginally lighter weight leaf pack.
Is the factory standard location of the jockey wheel / clamp lightly to cause any problems fitting or using a WDH? In hindsight, should hav asked for it to be fitted on the inside of the chassis.
Can you reverse with the WDH fitted?
Does it cause problems entering or leaving ferries?
Has anyone recommendations for brands other than Hayman Reese? Classic v Standard? 28" v 30"?
Sorry for all these questions but never needed a WDH on previous caravans so complely new to me and want to be educated before speaking to sales people.
Cheers, Paul
 

Tone

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Nov 27, 2014
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I have a similar Issue with the suspension. Would like to put slightly heavier spring in the rear but with the poor state of the roads around here I don't want to I already run 26psi in the rear Tyres empty.
We use Hayman Reese standard which suites us best even with heavier springs I feel I would still use a WDH it takes out the pitching and equips out the weight.
The jockey wheel isn't too much problem just put one side on then take off the jokey and do the other.
 

JT76

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Jan 24, 2016
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I cant help re wdh but a good suspension shop will weigh your vechicle on each corner and they should do the same with the van attached. This way they can set your car up for your application and not just look in a catalog and choose between light, med or heavy duty springs.

When I first read your post and seen Sydney I would have recomended Ultimate at Ingleburn, but seen you are from Adelaide so thats not too much help.

There is no perfect answer to have one setup that would suit both towing and not towing but I find running heavier springs with around a 2in lift the ride was better even with harder springs. The right shock choice will make a big diff in ride.

I would do more research on finding the best suspension guys in your area and someone who wants to see your setup before selling you something would be a good start. Wdh might still be an option but Getting your suspension sorted would be my first step.
 
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Middo

Active Member
Apr 25, 2014
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Watched a jayco about 19' going onto the ferry on the Clarence River at Lawrence. Cannot comment about the wdh but the tail end of the van bottomed out ripping the spare wheel cover off.
 

MickL

Active Member
Feb 28, 2016
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My understanding with WDH use is they are designed to get the weights on rear and front wheels as close to standard as possible so that braking and cornering is not effected so I would always use one for that reason alone.

We use a Hayman Reece as I picked it up cheap through a family member who was in the caravan business but they are no longer in the game and I recently asked them for a recommendation as my dad wanted one. They recommended a Milford WDH which are quite a bit cheaper than Haymen Reece. If you're in Adelaide I think dad picked one up at Halls or Alens tow bars and it was quite a bit cheaper than the Hayman Reece. He's used it a few time now with a 19 foot starcraft and said it worked well and was no better or worse than a Hayman Reece. The other one that apparently is worth looking at is the EAZ Lift although not sure who sells them locally.

http://www.milford-auto.com/products/weight_distribution_hitches

As far as Suspension goes I'm in SA and I will still most likely be using Ultimates Sydney as recommended above. Brendan who replies to all the emails etc there appears to know his stuff and they are very helpful so could be worth a call. They also have heaps of positive reviews online on just about every forum you go on.

As far as install goes they recommend All Trac 4x4 in Mile end so you could also go and speak with them and they might be able to assist with weighing things and advice prior to purchase.
 

Sammy D

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Feb 14, 2016
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Just be careful using a wdh if they (Nissan) say not to. The last thing you want is your hitch getting twisted from out of under your vehicle if it is not built to handle the stresses of a wdh.

I'm not familiar with the navara but our farm hilux is leaf springs at the rear and we ended up getting helper airbags for it which make a huge difference with large loads in the rear.
 

Vere

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Oct 5, 2014
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Hi pauljygrant,
Sorry but I am not help with Nissan questions but I also live in Adelaide and have ended up with 2 x WDH's (Hayman Reese). I am happy to lend you one for a trail and sell cheap if it helps with your problem. I only have a 16' but don't like towing without one.
 

pauljygrant

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Apr 1, 2015
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Thanks everyone for replies - will follow up th recommendations for Ultimate Suspension and Milford (unusual to find an SA manufacturer!)
At least tonight, I have convinced the Minister of War and Finance that we probably need to buy some sort of WDH in addition to new suspension......
Looks like I'm going to be busy on Saturday visiting a few suspension / 4x4 agents.
 
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pauljygrant

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Apr 1, 2015
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Hi pauljygrant,
Sorry but I am not help with Nissan questions but I also live in Adelaide and have ended up with 2 x WDH's (Hayman Reese). I am happy to lend you one for a trail and sell cheap if it helps with your problem. I only have a 16' but don't like towing without one.
Thanks Vere for be offer to try. Do you know the rating? I think that most are probably 600lb but I'll most likely need 800lb. If it is the heavier model, certainly interested to buy from you.
 

Base23

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Jan 17, 2016
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I would look at getting helper air bags for the rear suspension as then you can adjust it for when you have the van connected or not and your ride will not be to hard when driving with out the van.

I use the Andersen WDH and find it great, The Andersen WDH looks completely different to a conventional WDH as it uses chains to control the weight distribution. It also helps with sway control.
120608142318H.jpg
Reversing is not a problem as the ball and WDH all move as one.
Have not been across a ferry yet but backing in a steep drive way is not an issue.
The jockey wheel mounting position is not in the way as long as you mount the chassis clamps of the WDH to the inside of the A frame.
2016-03-01 21.33.04.jpg 2016-03-01 21.32.55.jpg
 
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Vere

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Oct 5, 2014
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Thanks Vere for be offer to try. Do you know the rating? I think that most are probably 600lb but I'll most likely need 800lb. If it is the heavier model, certainly interested to buy from you.

Sorry mate 600lb. but if Nissan are anti WHD would you put big bugger on
 
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pauljygrant

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Apr 1, 2015
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Sorry mate 600lb. but if Nissan are anti WHD would you put big bugger on
Get what you mean but I guess if it's not strong enough, it might not work at all, or not make enough improvement to bother using it. I'm going to ARB tomorrow to chat about Spring options and will quiz them about WDH at the same time.....
 

Bushman

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Nissan only say no WDH to cover their arse as they had a problem with the Pathfinder R51 when they first came out late 05/06 , The problem sttemmed from them supplling the wrong bolts with factory towbar,ever since then they have said no WDH hitch to be used with factory towbar, so people started fiting HR bars
OK for Nissan and others to say dont use them but they're not the ones towing.
 

pauljygrant

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Apr 1, 2015
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Adelaide
I would look at getting helper air bags for the rear suspension as then you can adjust it for when you have the van connected or not and your ride will not be to hard when driving with out the van.

I use the Andersen WDH and find it great, The Andersen WDH looks completely different to a conventional WDH as it uses chains to control the weight distribution. It also helps with sway control.
120608142318H.jpg
Reversing is not a problem as the ball and WDH all move as one.
Have not been across a ferry yet but backing in a steep drive way is not an issue.
The jockey wheel mounting position is not in the way as long as you mount the chassis clamps of the WDH to the inside of the A frame.
View attachment 41121 View attachment 41122
Very interesting option compared to the usual HaymanReese style. I can see how it improves sway control although I haven't found any problems with sway (probably due to the massive ball weight!) but finding it harder to understand how it transfers weight to the front axles. Do you notice much change in height of the front of your Jeep when you connect the chains?
Paul
 

Base23

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Jan 17, 2016
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Yes I do notice the front go down. The Jeep has self leveling air suspension but when I set up the wdh I turn off the suspension to see how much the tension to put on the chains and see how much it drops the front of the jeep.
 
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