Help with hitch for camper

[OrneryBear]

So it's interesting to see them all be updated. Looking at etrailer, as of a year ago the only hitch rated over factory was the HD Draw-Tite, they've recently increased the Curt and house brand ratings to 5k.

My thought has always been the hitch on the JL is a class 3 but they call it a class 2 simply because of the tow rating of the vehicle. I dunno, it's merely a hypothesis. I'm not sure there is any reason I can't run my andersen hitch with the oem receiver since it doesn't use torsion bars on the hitch.

I'm tempted to buy the curt and measure all the plate thicknesses and compare it to oem.

EDIT:ya definitely a class 2 but not sure what makes aftermarket ones suddenly a class 3

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[Drewbacca]

That's the WD hitch we got. I'm not sure why I keep seeing people say you need a class III hitch.

I think it has to do with how the receiver is attached to the rest of the Jeep. The receiver might be 2 in and can receive a weight distribution hitch, but if the attachment support can't handle it, then it's no good. It's all pretty confusing, and I don't want to buy a normal hitch, only to drive to an RV shop and find out that I need to update. The Jeep manual talks about suggesting using a weight distribution and sway control hitch, so you'd think that the OEM one could handle it, but I've seen a lot of people say it can't. It's definitely a 2 in Class 2, not a Class 3.

 

[OrneryBear]

I think it has to do with how the receiver is attached to the rest of the Jeep. The receiver might be 2 in and can receive a weight distribution hitch, but if the attachment support can't handle it, then it's no good. It's all pretty confusing, and I don't want to buy a normal hitch, only to drive to an RV shop and find out that I need to update.

Ya except there are class 3 hitches available for the JL that are of an identical design to the oem. Not sure if plate thicknesses are the same or what, but they attach with just the 4 bolts.

 

[Drewbacca]

Ya except there are class 3 hitches available for the JL that are of an identical design to the oem. Not sure if plate thicknesses are the same or what, but they attach with just the 4 bolts.

Ok, so I guess the question remains, can you put a WD hitch on the OEM receiver? It may be a pointless question, as WD hitches are usually for larger trailers, and this one has a dry weight of 2500 lbs. Sway control might be nice to have, but I hear they're annoying to unhook and deal with when you're backing in.

 

[OrneryBear]

Ok, so I guess the question remains, can you put a WD hitch on the OEM receiver? It may be a pointless question, as WD hitches are usually for larger trailers, and this one has a dry weight of 2500 lbs. Sway control might be nice to have, but I hear they're annoying to unhook and deal with when you're backing in.

I think plenty of people do use them on the oem hitch, including the torsion style. That said the andersen hitch takes a much different approach and is probably way more appropriate for the JL application. It's lighter and the chains don't attach to the receiver like a torsion WDH. It also does not have the maneuverability issues making you stop and disconnect it first. Look into it.

Also our camper is between 2600 and 2800 dry (there is conflicting info on it) and I can tell you, without a WDH, it can get squirrely with a JLU pulling it, the short wheel base on the JLU doesn't help. I use my manual trailer brake control a bit. That's why I bought the andersen hitch for this season to help level it out and control it a little better. I'd like to be able to tow on the highway more comfortably when needed. I have two toddlers and anything to shorten the drive time is good.

 

[Drewbacca]

So, I actually reached out to Andersen Hitches and spoke to someone in their customer support department. They told me the Andersen weight distribution hitch would definitely be compatible with the 2 in Class 2 hitch on the Wrangler JLU. That's reassuring, especially if it means I don't have to upgrade to a Class 3. My vehicle is a lease, and I don't really want to make major alterations until I'm certain I'm going to purchase it at the end of my term.

 

[Tncdrew]

Ahhhh a 2015 Shasta Airflyte Reissue!!
Beautiful! That's the 16' model, I had the 19' model in yellow.
It's definitely a 2" (ball) class 2 application.
Fortunately, that trailer has a relatively light tongue weight.
I can tell you first hand, it's not so much weight distribution (although it's important), it's sway control you need most, especially towing it with a relatively short wheel based Wrangler. Being a single axle, those Airflyte re-issues tend to sway a bit, and in that Wrangler, that won't be fun.
@GreenWilly mentioned the Andersen WD hitch. That's a great choice (especially their lighter ones), as that system has built in sway control.
Another issue with the Shasta Airflyte is the smallish 3" section "A" frame in front isn't really strong enough for your typical heavy WD hitches.... Another reason the Andersen works well in this application.

Good luck getting her all hitched up!
You think you get a lot of looks in your Jeep? Just wait until you pull into a campground with that trailer... endless looky-loos, comments, and folks coming up to ask about your Shasta!! ?

Oh, one other thing... this NOT an off road trailer! This is a stick built pavement queen, but a super cool one!

 

[Drewbacca]

Ahhhh a 2015 Shasta Airflyte Reissue!!
Beautiful! That's the 16' model, I had the 19' model in yellow.
It's definitely a 2" (ball) class 2 application.
Fortunately, that trailer has a relatively light tongue weight.
I can tell you first hand, it's not so much weight distribution (although it's important), it's sway control you need most, especially towing it with a relatively short wheel based Wrangler. Being a single axle, those Airflyte re-issues tend to sway a bit, and in that Wrangler, that won't be fun.
@GreenWilly mentioned the Andersen WD hitch. That's a great choice (especially their lighter ones), as that system has built in sway control.
Another issue with the Shasta Airflyte is the smallish 3" section "A" frame in front isn't really strong enough for your typical heavy WD hitches.... Another reason the Andersen works well in this application.

Good luck getting her all hitched up!
You think you get a lot of looks in your Jeep? Just wait until you pull into a campground with that trailer... endless looky-loos, comments, and folks coming up to ask about your Shasta!! ?

Oh, one other thing... this NOT an off road trailer! This is a stick built pavement queen, but a super cool one!

The trailer actually belonged to a small business who rented it at campsites in the Nashville area. They had 2 16 ft ones and a 19 ft one. We’ve stayed in it about 6 times and felt like it was meant for us when the owners decided to sell them. We’re very excited.

 

[Tncdrew]

Shasta only made a total of 1941 of them (to commemorate Shasta's 1st year in business (1941)). We were on a waiting list to get one. They pre-sold every one they made.
This was the day we took delivery in April of '15 in northern CA.
It looked pretty cool behind my '72 ?
We sold that trailer in '20 for only a couple hundred dollars less than what we bought it for.
It was garaged (babied) it's whole life.
What a conversation starter at campsites though! ?

 

[Drewbacca]

Shasta only made a total of 1941 of them (to commemorate Shasta's 1st year in business (1941)). We were on a waiting list to get one. They pre-sold every one they made.
This was the day we took delivery in April of '15 in northern CA.
It looked pretty cool behind my '72 ?
We sold that trailer in '20 for only a couple hundred dollars less than what we bought it for.
It was garaged (babied) it's whole life.
What a conversation starter at campsites though! ?

Yes, we typically met everyone at the site every time we camped.

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