About Weight Distribution Hitches...pics etc.

[Redbug]

I thought I would post some information about weight distribution hitches. A WDH will allow you to carry a heavier tongue load by spreading the trailer weight more evenly on the truck's frame. The front axle gets more weight, and the truck does not sag in the back. The WDH arms, (with chains), flex and keep the load from sagging from the tongue weight.

1st pic shows most of the parts which goes on the truck.
Ball, shank, WD head, spring arms with chain.

2nd pic shows parts which stays on the trailer tongue.
It just stays there permanent, with light loads I use a regular hitch without the WD shank, head etc.

3rd pic shows getting things assembled on the truck.

4th and 5th pics shows getting things hooked up.
You use a short length of pipe to lift the spring arm chains which attach to the trailer tongue clamps. A lot of tension is on those arms and chains when the trailer jack is cranked off the ground. The chain length is adjustable, and so is the angle of the WD head, (shims), depending on your load and how much weight you want deflected to the front axle.

6th pic, all hooked up.

I hope a few pictures will help in understanding the concept. Questions? Comments? Do any other folks also use a WDH? These things make a world of difference in towing. The RV bunch uses them a lot.

 

[Egon]

Very nice set of pictures. Thank you.

 

[jsborn]

Thanks for the pictures.

You are showing the Trunnion style bars in your pictures can you shed some light on the difference between these and the round bar style other than the obvious one is round and the other is square?

I am considering buying the WD components for my rig and would like to get it right the first time for a change.

 

[heymack]

Nice job explaining and great pictures.

In the last picture, I hope that "bullet hole" is a sticker, not the real deal.

 

[George2615]

I have the round bar style. I believe the round ones are for higher rated tongue weights since I got mine with my 32' camper. I also have a set like the ones pictured for a lighter trailer.

 

[Redbug]

No...alas, the bullet hole is just a decal.

I am not sure which is rated more...the square, (trunnion) or the round style. You can get them rated for different weights. Most of the round ones I looked at were rated for less tongue weight than what I got. George must have investigated, researched and gotten a good set.

George...What brand etc., is the round one you got?

Mine are rated for 1200 lbs. I looked around on the internet, then compared downtown's prices. The internet was cheaper. This is what I got....

I got the Draw Tite WD hitch...1200lb...item 7903...for $270. The lighter rated ones are the same price.
I'm not sure why someone would not buy the heavier...
DrawTite-Hitches.com

I got the class 5 14000lb ball...item 63836...for $22.
DrawTite-Hitches.com

You must also get a shank which bolts onto the WD hitch head and pins into your reciever...different drops/rises depending upon your vehicle and trailer. I got the style 1, item 3210...for $86.90.
Weight Distribution Hitch Balls, Shanks And Sway Control

 

[George2615]

Dave, I don't remember the brand name. I dont see it on the head but it looks similar to the Valley #70230 round bar hitch rated for 1200# tongue weight and 12,000# trailer. Equal-I-Zer makes one similar as do others.
Mine is stamped 1200# tongue on the head. I got it back in 1983 with the 32' camper. I will look on the bars tomorrow to see if they have the name.
George

 

[Bird]

I have the round bar style. I believe the round ones are for higher rated tongue weights since I got mine with my 32' camper. I also have a set like the ones pictured for a lighter trailer.

They do make the bars for different weights, and I haven't kept up with them in recent years, but in the past, the difference between the round bars and the square bars was simply the brand. My first ones were Reese and were square. Later, I had Eaz-Lift and they were round. And in either brand and style, you could get 750#, 1,000#, and 1,500# bars.

 

[project]

I purchased a WDH with my RV recently was was told to leave the part that fastens on th tongue loose so it can move. Is that correct?? Tony

 

[Redbug]

Hi Tony,

The part that clamps on each of the arms of the trailer tongue should be snug/tight...by tightning a bolt which holds each on the tongue arms. (The parts shown on picture #2 in my pics). Besides, if they are loose and you want to use your trailer without using the WD hitch arrangement they would fall off! I just leave mine on all the time...and tight.

One thing to be aware when figuring your adjustments on your WD hitch, is to make sure your spring arms are lower than your trailer tongue. When you make a sharp turn, the WD spring arms turn also with the trailer. Too short of a chain length on the spring arms will cause the arms to hit the trailer tongue. When I got mine, I played around with it trying different adjustments to figure things out. The instructions don't tell you everything.

Hope this helps.