WDH Steel Tube
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 20:45
ThreadID:
71717
Views:
2511
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
3
This Thread has been Archived
blackmax11
Have a Hayman Reese WDH and considering what I can do to make setup and release/removal easier and safer. The tube supplied with the unit, about a foot or 300mm long does not give a lot of leverage assistance for setup or release. One needs to use quite a great deal of strenght to get chains set and release can be arm ripping.
I am considering how to make better, easier and safer. My thoughts are to get a longer bit of pipe, about 60mm long and have a 90 degree bend about 10mm from one end. This will give better leverage and should not hit the ground when fully released.
Is there a better or safer way to achieve what I am wanting? Or is there a product that does what I want and actually works?
Any advice appreciated.
Reply By: eerfree - Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 20:58
Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 20:58
BM11
Use your jockey wheel to take off some of the pressure while you are hitching and unhitching, it is a bit more mucking around but it certainly beats shoulder surgery !!!!
Bob
AnswerID:
380070
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 21:30
Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 21:30
If you have that much trouble you possibly dont have it set up properly.
I have over 300kg on the ball and can pull
mine up Ok and Im 67.
As said hook them up when on the jockey wheel and always have at least 4 links on the chain. I have 6
This allows better ability for sharp turns.
Always unhitch before backing into a site.
Probably be best to take it to a HR installer and get it checked for height and angle etc as it shouldnt be that tight.
An indication of what your rig consists of could help on here
FollowupID:
647385
Reply By: WYSIWYG (Bundaberg Qld) - Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 21:20
Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 21:20
Have to agree, wind the Jockey wheel up and it releases the tension nicely.
Cheers
AnswerID:
380072
Reply By: donk - Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 21:22
Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 21:22
As bob said when you have hooked it up or before you unhook it level the vehicle & van with the van jockey wheel & the short length of tube supplied will do the job easily
If you have a jockey wheel on one side of the draw bar (a lot of jayco are like this) & you need to remove it before you can fit the wdh bar on that side fit the opposite side wdh bar before you remove the jockey wheel & it will take most of the weight as
well while you hook up the bar on the jockey wheel clamp side
Regards Don
AnswerID:
380073
Reply By: Flywest - Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 23:17
Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 at 23:17
I use a longer piece of
water pipe. Works a treat!
That said, the jockey wheel also works
well.
Cautionary tail:.
Uncle of
mine didn't use the jockey wheel when applying the leverage for the WDH.
In order to take the strain he must have placed one of his feet directly under the WDH spring steel bar.
When applying max strain, something let go, either the chain link slipped off the hook or the bar slipped or something - because the spring steel bar shot down and amputated his toe against the concrete, thru his sand shoes.
Not a great start to the 3 months trip up north to escape the winter.
He spent his escape time in hospital.
Don't screw up the WDH proceedure - theres a LOT to remember when using them.
Cheers
AnswerID:
380093
Reply By: Rockape - Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 07:11
Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 07:11
Here is a photo of my handle, I made it from thin wall stainless scrap, heat shrink and welded the end on with an old copper wound welder and some 316 stainless rods.
It is 470 mm long and easy to use.
As others have said I always use my landing wheel to take some tension off the bars.
Image Could Not Be Found
AnswerID:
380101
Follow Up By: nickoff - Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 12:15
Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 12:15
Mine is similar to the photo above, but not as
well made.
Length of 1/2" Gal
water pipe, threaded one end, and a T piece screwed on.
I have also added a mark on the handle, at the height of the top of the tow ball, so that I can hold it up against the ball socket on the A frame, wind up or down the jockey wheel, so the the tow ball slips just under the hitch when I back the car in.
I "feel" the snick as the ball just touchs the hitch as it slides under. One person hook up every time.
No fights, no arguments, nada. If it stuffs up, my fault ....
FollowupID:
647426
Follow Up By: Rolly - Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 13:06
Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 13:06
"Good thinking, 99"
FollowupID:
647431
Reply By: blackmax11 - Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 20:14
Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 at 20:14
Thanks to all for your infomation and advice.
I love the extention bar photo and will do something similar along with ensuring use of the jockey wheel to reduce leverage.
Thanks again.
KEN
AnswerID:
380187