Weight Distribution Hitches

[downslope]

...All the W/D hitches do is distribute the TONGUE weight between your two truck axles. They are quite a clever device.

I was wondering, since one end of the WD hitch is bearing on the trailer frame wouldn't it also be transferring more weight back on the trailer axles? If a trailer were loaded to maximum capacity could a WD hitch cause one or both of the trailer axles to become overloaded?

 

[Duffster]

I was wondering, since one end of the WD hitch is bearing on the trailer frame wouldn't it also be transferring more weight back on the trailer axles?

Yes it is.

If a trailer were loaded to maximum capacity could a WD hitch cause one or both of the trailer axles to become overloaded?

It would depend on the configuration of the ratings. If the trailer GVWR is equal to the axle ratings then No.

 

[downslope]

Would one offer any advantage to me with my current towing package?
Ram 3500, DRW, 6.7L Diesel, auto, 12,500 gvw, towing just 5 ton dump or 5 ton equipment trailer.

The truck is a utility body so weighs about 12,000, but I hardly feel these trailers now, off the line, stopping or handling. Just wonder if there would be any noticeable benefit with WD hitch?JB.

It seems there would be some benefit with such a heavy body on the truck. If the truck is 12,500 gvw and if it already weighs 12K with the utility body, wouldn't the rear axle be overloaded with almost any kind of trailer at all?

 

[MikePA]

If a trailer were loaded to maximum capacity could a WD hitch cause one or both of the trailer axles to become overloaded?

I don't see how it could cause both trailer axles to become overloaded.

For example, a trailer with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs configured with two, 3,500 lb axles that's evenly loaded. Would a WD hitch move the weight from the front axle to the rear axle thus overloading the rear axle?

 

[Duffster]

If the trailer is relatively level, how can one axle have more load than the other?

 

[Bird]

If the trailer is relatively level, how can one axle have more load than the other?

Yes, you want the entire rig; truck and trailer to be sitting very close to level, so the WD hitch will put the same weight on each axle of the trailer.

I guess, theoretically at least, a trailer could be far enough from level to prevent the equal distribution of weight, but tanden axle trailers usually have "equalizers" to keep the weight farily equal, at least the ones with leaf springs do. It's just a part of the spring mounting or shackles.

 

[MikePA]

If the trailer is relatively level, how can one axle have more load than the other?

It can't.

 

[downslope]

I don't see how it could cause both trailer axles to become overloaded.

For example, a trailer with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs configured with two, 3,500 lb axles that's evenly loaded. Would a WD hitch move the weight from the front axle to the rear axle thus overloading the rear axle?

It's no so much that it's moving it from one trailer axle to the other, but it's moving some of the hitch weight back onto both trailer axles.

Many tandem trailer specs today have a gvw rating that is greater than the sum of the axle ratings. In that case part of the maximum load would have to be on the hitch. If that weight is too much for the truck and you used a WD hitch to make the truck ride better, then the trailer axles could become overloaded if the trailer were loaded to maximum gvw.

 

[MikePA]

Many tandem trailer specs today have a gvw rating that is greater than the sum of the axle ratings. In that case part of the maximum load would have to be on the hitch. If that weight is too much for the truck and you used a WD hitch to make the truck ride better, then the trailer axles could become overloaded if the trailer were loaded to maximum gvw.

Interesting. I didn't know that. The GVWR of the trailers I've used always matched the sum of the axle ratings.

 

[Corm]

Time for a dumb question -

I looked at the pictures below in the link Redbug provided -
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...7-about-weight-distribution-hitches-pics.html[/QUOTE]

In looking at those pictures, it seems to me like the W/D hitch would really bind up in a situation where the truck and trailer are at severe angles to each other, like when you are backing into a tight spot for example. I've seen pictures of W/D hitches where one of the 'arms' has a friction slider in it. That makes a lot of sense to me, especially in a situation like in the example I gave above.

Am I not understanding things correctly? Does it ever become a problem where a W/D hitch can 'bind' in a tight situation? Is it something to be concerned about?

Thanks in advance

Corm