Weight Distribution Hitches

[richriddle]

Thank you for all your assistance. There are some very unique methods you folks offered in new technology for weight distributing hitches. Before this thread, I had only thought of the old design. You have great insights and guidance.

 

[aeblank]

I went simple and cheap.
http://a.co/7OsI45d

 

[Spindifferent]

Lots of good info here:

Common Weight Distribution and Sway Control Questions | etrailer.com

I use this on my car hauler, and very happy with it:

Reese SC Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Trunnion - 1�,��� lbs GTW, 8�� lbs TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66153

 

[Kubota3710]

Is there a trailer load weight where it makes sense to use a weight distribution hitch? Used them with RVs before. Wasn't thinking of one pulling tractor and bush hog on trailer. Any rule of thumb to follow for when they are helpful?

 

[Fallon]

Is there a trailer load weight where it makes sense to use a weight distribution hitch? Used them with RVs before. Wasn't thinking of one pulling tractor and bush hog on trailer. Any rule of thumb to follow for when they are helpful?

Lots of OEM hitches & vehicles specify a WDH is required after x tongue weight. Usually around 500-600lbs or so.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Holy Toledo, I didn't think those hitches were so expensive, this is why I bought a class 5 hitch for my half ton pickup.

I bought a Curt hitch and it will haul 15,000lbs with 2500lb tongue weight, it far exceeds my truck but I wanted to avoid not having enough hitch, I paid $280 for it with free shipping, install took about an hour on a virgin frame.

I have a 7500lb Reese ball for a hallow 6k ball mount for smaller trailers and a 2 5/16 16k curt ball mounted on a solid 15k Reese ball mount, now I never have to worry about hauling anything.

My truck also has coil over rear shocks which are fantastic for towing, I can haul a 6-7k load and the truck rides level and barely knows it's back there.

I would invest in heavier rear shocks and a heavier hitch first. I'm not sold on the weight distribution hitches, feels like a bandaid solution to me.

 

[Fallon]

A WDH isnt any more of a bandaid than heavy rear shocks or bags, quite proably less. Trailers pushing down on the rear of a truck behind the axle will intrinsically act like a lever & try to lift the front axle. A WDH transfers some of that weight to the front axle via springs twisting the hitch forward.

The real solution is to properly put the weight directly in on or infront of the rear axle. A gooseneck or 5th wheel accomplishes that. Anything behind the axle has the potential for the tail to wag the dog due to the lever that is the distance between the hitch & axle. When that trailer pushes left on the hitch, the front of the tug gets pushed to the right. The same goes for vertival mltion. Some WDHs have sway control built in, others have a friction bar slapped onto the side. Between the 2 they can do a fair bit to mitigate sway, porpising & your *** dragging without the need for an excessivly stiff suspension.

 

[Mikeeemo]

I agree with Fallon. I use a WDH when hauling my tractor & bush hog. The unit spreads the weight over all the axles, keeping you in control of your combination. Dead weight on the tongue is normally 500 pounds. That raises to 1000 pounds with a WDH in many cases. You still should not overload or underload your axles.

 

[Mikeeemo]

I failed to mention, the WDH is a little more work. I do not use it on a load that would yield a tongue weight under 400 pounds.

 

[newbury]

A second vote for the Equali-z-er brand hitch, been running one for about 10,000 miles, 5 years. On a 12K trailer. My prime thing was to get something that fit before I learned to weld but it seems to do well.

Forgot to mention - I like the Equalizer but I have not tried others.
There are only 3 main parts to move around - The hitch ball and shank (which weighs 54lbs) and the two sway bars (21lbs @). Plus I carry a killer farm jack in the truck to hitch it up easily.

I failed to mention, the WDH is a little more work. I do not use it on a load that would yield a tongue weight under 400 pounds.

My feelings exactly, especially since the three parts I mentioned weigh almost 100 lbs by themselves. Seems like when I bought it 5 years ago it wasn't as heavy

Maybe it's a symptom of old age and conversion to metric. I'd swear what used to be 50lbs feels like 50kg