Equalizer Weight Distribution Hitch - Worthwhile on a Ram 1500

[BoylermanCT]

Agree with MMagis, stabilizers are usually used on 1/2 ton trucks and SUV's when hauling at the higher end of the load limit. I have one that I use with my camper, and it makes a big difference in towing. My 1/2 ton SUV has a 6,500 lb tow limit but only 400 tongue weight limit. According to Chevy, weight distribution hitch allows up to 650 lbs on tongue.

 

[4570Man]

I have a F-350 with airbags and a 3500 without. It seems to make a big difference. The Chevy is a stiff truck and hardly squats with 3 tons in the back. The air bags don't help much from squatting, but seem to be a bit improvement in leaning side to side when you hit a bump. It isn't a fair comparison though. We don't load the Ford as heavy. The heaviest load the Ford hauls is the tongue weight of a gooseneck or a heaping load of split fire wood. The Chevy has a dump bed and we use it for the heavy hauling. A big heaping load of logs or 5 ton of gravel doesn't bother it. The towing capabilities of either of the trucks is night and day difference from my Chevy 1500. The Ford has a 5.4 liter motor ( pretty wimpy for a ton truck) and the Chevy 1500 has a 5.3 liter. Everything else on the ton truck is substantially heavier duty.

 

[LD1]

5 ton of gravel on a 1-ton dump

 

[4570Man]

5 ton of gravel on a 1-ton dump

I try to keep it to about 3 tons, but that 1 ton was only a suggestion. It hauls 3 tons pretty good. Any less than 3 tons and it will still take off in 2nd gear without riding the clutch.

 

[Ford850]

I think if you back the mower on and detach it up front, then drive or back the tractor on with the blade on the rear, you will have a better balanced trailer. And agreeing with most, the WD hitch is needed anyway.

 

[Cord]

I use a weight distributing hitch all the time when hauling my flat deck trailer behind my F150. The truck is sprung softly enough that not using it results in excessive squat. Started using the hitch back when I had a Dodge 2500. With that truck I found that it needed front axle weight so it would handle decent. That truck also had air bags so I can compare the two systems. Although the air bags would level the truck, they would also take weight off the helper springs so the back end wasn't as solid. The bags also don't put any weight on the front axle which is what the truck really needed. The antiquated steering in my truck is probably the same system your truck has so to answer your original question; yes, I recommend the use of a weight distributing hitch.

 

[Snowback]

Thanks again to everyone for all the input. Just a quick update that I did recently have the Airlift manual inflation bags installed into the rear coils. (Same as shown in first post.) Relatively easy job, and with 35 psi it gives substantial support to the rear end. A guy could haul a lot in the bed and not even see a ride height difference.) I did not think to grab pictures, but with 20 pounds of air I was able to back off the torsion bar tension some and get a really nice balance on the ride. Hauled great at 65-70 mph with no sway, wobble or porpoising at all.

Agree with comments above about false security with just the bags and no WDH. On our neighborhood street test I was able to counteract most of the squat with just the bags, but then steering was light due to the fulcrum effect, so I backed down pressure and let the hitch help out more. The bags are also easy to get up to pressure with just a hand pump, so no need for compressor if only using a few times a month in my opinion.

Bottom line - Weight distribution hitch coupled with minor help from coil insert bags provide a really nice max load towing experience with a later model Ram 1500. (Also trailer brakes and in cab controller.) Just make sure you have appropriate rated tires, aren't in a race, and leave plenty of room to stop so as not to have to abuse brakes. Stay safe all!

 

[Sprinklerman]

The one thing not touched on is the trucks tires . the WD hitch transfers weight to the front wheels . Tires on 1/2 tons arent as heavy as 3/4 tons . Airbags dont increase tire capacity . The WD hitch works .

Now heres what I run on my travel trailer , Trailer Sway Control Hitch Guaranteed to Eliminate Trailer Sway - ProPride 3P.

NO TRAILER SWAY AT ALL .

 

[Snowback]

Agreed Sprinklerman. I run 34" E load rated tires at 45psi. This is an important point for half ton pilots when stretching load limits.

 

[rankrank1]

Nice upgrades to your Ram 1500 to make it tow better, but do keep in mind that it may not help you from the what is "legal" towing perspective.

Most of those Rams 1500 have the lowest payloads of all 1/2 tons trucks with some being in the neighborhood of only 1000 to 1200 lbs or less payload (most of the competition is in the 1800 lb to 2100 lb payload range or more with their half tons).

So generally speaking anything above one 150 lb driver placed in the truck has to be subtracted from both the payload capacity and the tow capacity at a rate of 100% of whatever those weights are. Fat drivers over 150 lbs, spouse, kids, dogs, tools, Quads, camp gear, etc. All those extra have to be subtracted at 100% from both the payload and tow capacity of the truck if placed in the truck.

Your only hope with staying legal with that rig is putting absolutely nothing in that truck besides yourself and then placing all cargo (no people of course) on the trailer balanced as best you can. At least this way your towing capacity is the highest it can be and only 10% of the trailer weight ends up as payload on the truck (assuming you balance it well) which is still gonna max out the puny Ram's payload capacity.

I am not saying the truck will not handle it with your upgrades, but if you ever in an accident (whether your fault or not) you better well be "legal" or you may find out you have zero insurance. Having no insurance may not be much of a problem if you own nothing and live paycheck to paycheck anyhow, but if you have assets then you will soon join the former category when the insurance companies look for any reason they can not to pay.