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BarneyS

S.E. Lower Michigan

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Joined: 10/16/2000

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I just finished installing a new Reese Dual-Cam sway control on my existing Draw Tite hitch. Contrary to what some others have experienced, I had no problems at all. My spring bars are the round "L" shaped Draw Tite bars with flattened ends. They are 1000lb bars with a part # 3221. They already had a large hole in the end so it did not need re-drilling. The ends of the bars fit fine into the saddle of the dual cam and did not need any machining. In short, it looked like they were made for the Dual-Cam setup. It took about three hours to install. I had to raise my propane tank carrier 3/8in by putting spacers under it ( I used large 3/8 in tall nuts and longer sheet metal screws) so that the U brackets would fit. I also had to reposition the breakaway switch from under the frame to the side. The final adjustments were made and everything seems to be working fine. Have not taken it out on the highway yet but will do that this weekend.
Just wanted to let others know that it was an easy install. Campers World even had the unit in stock!
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine
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Drbolasky

Weisenberg Township, PA

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Joined: 04/20/2002

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Congrats on the Reese D-C set up! I also found it easy to install.
You will find some who have posted here that say the D-C makes noise as you turn and back up. I have not found that to be the case with mine. Reese warns against the use of grease on the cams, but if yours get noisy a LIGHT coating of Vaseline has been the solution that most people have used.
Good luck & safe travels.
Doug, Linda, Audrey (USN) & Andrew
2008 Sequoia SR-5, 5.7 L, 2000 Coachmen Futura 2790TB Bunkhouse, Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension, Reese W.D. Hitch/Dual Cam Sway Control, Prodigy Brake Controller, McKesh Mirrors
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houstonstan

Houston, Texas

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Joined: 08/01/2001

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bsmith0337 - Why? I've not found the need. What am I missing about all this dual cam and load equalizing concern and sway control etc. I must be missing something but so far it doesn't seem so.
Stan and Carmen
2002 GMC 2500HD Sierra 8.1L, Allison 5 speed auto, short bed 4x4 ext cab, 3.73
2002 Terry Lite 25J by Fleetwood
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wannabee

Muskego, WI USA

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Joined: 09/14/2002

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If you re-adjust your weight distribution by gaining or losing a chain link, your cams will be slightly out of lock. In this situation it is very important to re-adjust your cams by loosening the u-bolts and towing completely straight for 100 feet in a level parking lot. Tighten your u-bolts again and you are ready to go.
On tt's with heavy tongue weights Reese advises adding friction control, for example my tt's tongue weight is over 900 lbs.
The noise is only present during break-in; I personally rather replace parts than lose friction between my cams with any kind of lubricant.
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haystks

Sallisaw OK, USA

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Joined: 01/09/2002

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wannabee
I am getting ready to change over a eas-lift WD hitch to a Reese and then add a dual cam setup. Currently this unit has a friction control. Am I understanding you correctly, that on the heavy tongue weights you need both? This is the first I have seen this. This unit is a 30 ft Airstream with a GVWR of 8400.
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Kusani

Tennessee

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Joined: 10/12/2001

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Haystacks,
I am not sure where Wannabe read that re using both. What I have been told by Reese is that the friction sway control is good up to about 400 lbs. tongue weight and after that, they recommend the dual cam setup. I have yet to see anything at their website which recommends friction AND dualcam and really doubt if that is the case.
Happy rv'in.
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Kusani

Tennessee

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Bsmith,
Great!!! You will find it so much more comfortable towing and be able to relax more. Also, if you ever find yourself in a emergency situation like I did this past week when a van hydroplaned in front of me and spun twice after hitting the guardrail, and I had to hit the brakes, I am throughly convinced that the prodigy as well as the dual cam prevented my jack knifing. It also is so much more relaxing to not have to worry about the 18 wheelers zipping by.
Just double check your cams in the saddles after towing a few miles for any need to make 'final adjustments'. Happy rv'in.
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chipster

Lasalle, Ontario, Canada

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Joined: 05/01/2002

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I installed the dual cams and found that they work great. My only suggestion to anyone is when setting them up, once you drive in a straight line, mark the spot you are going to tighten them up. Then release the tension on the WD bars. I only say this because with the bars loaded you are tryin to tighten the nuts under this added force. You may thinks the nuts are torqued properly but they are not, and in my experience the plate would move on me after trailering for awhile.
As an added point to having to readjust the cams if your weight changes, which it always does. Between leaving and comming home. I added a air ride system to my truck and just add/remove the required amount of preasure to have the truck sit at the same level all the time.
Any comments on this.
Brian/Lynette and the 3 Cubs,
2004 F250 CC 6.0LFX4. Prodigy Brake Controller, Reese Trunion Dual cam 1700# bars. Rancho RS9000 shocks, SCT Tuner
2009 Cherokee Wolf Pack 30WP
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JEK


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Joined: 10/05/2002

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Take a look at Equal-i-zer system. I have had two of these and my latest is rated to 10,000 lbs. Absolutely, no sway and I was driving yesterday with high winds thanks to Lili storm. The sway control is built into the hitch set up.
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BarneyS

S.E. Lower Michigan

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Joined: 10/16/2000

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Just an update on the results of my Dual Cam install. I towed about 700 miles this past week - including during some very heavy winds. The first thing I noticed was that I did not have to "play" with the steering wheel. With the old friction control, it seemed like I was constantly slightly turning one way or another to keep straight. Probably because once I made a turn, the friction control wanted to try to keep me going in the turn and would never quite completely straighten out. With the Dual Cam, the steering was very neutral and relaxed.
Second, There was no sway from crosswinds or passing trucks. I could feel the wind and the trucks but they did not require any steering input. I did notice a "clunk" now and then when making a turn but the friction control used to make a "pop" sound now and then also. All in all, I am very pleased with the improvement in handling and feel of the Dual Cam compared with the friction type sway control. Hopefully, I will never have to find out about the emergency handling but I feel I am better prepared now than before.
Houstonstan, You asked "Why". I feel everyone should use a sway control when towing a standard travel trailer. Sway can happen at any time and usually at the most inopportune moment. I wanted to improve my chances in case it happens to me. I have towed for years with just a standard friction sway control and never considered anything else till I became active on this and other forums. Believe me, this was a large improvement for very little cash outlay! Kusani said " You will find it so much more comfortable towing and be able to relax more." and he was certainly correct. I was completely relaxed going down the road which I could never do with the other control. Hope this answers your question as to why.
Barney
* This post was
edited 08/26/03 06:28pm by BarneyS *
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