Load divider dolly,

[jjeff]

Thought this was a neat idea if I had a 1/2 ton I might be interested.
How to Make Your Half-Ton Truck Work Like a Super Duty CLDD | Home of the first Weight Distribution Trailer for your pickup truck.

 

[JPRambo]

That does look interesting. But $5000 is a bit steep. I'm cheap, so a trailer would have more options for use.

 

[Doughknob]

Yep, interesting. I'd wonder about the upward force on the hitch - pretty sure current hitches are not designed for such a continuous upward force with bouncing around. Conventional loads are downward with bouncing around.........

 

[jjeff]

For occasional towing and hauling it's cheaper than buying a 3/4 or 1ton especially if you already own a 1/2 ton plus the extra maintenance. imo.

 

[jjeff]

Wonder if it has electric brakes as an option.

 

[ptsg]

Interesting indeed. Looks like the air bag part of it could be built in on the bumper pull trailers. Pretty much the same concept of the weight distribution hitches but it's easily adjustable accordingly to different loads on the trailer.

 

[LouNY]

Yep, interesting. I'd wonder about the upward force on the hitch - pretty sure current hitches are not designed for such a continuous upward force with bouncing around. Conventional loads are downward with bouncing around.........

your hitch is rated for more as a weight distribution hitch then as a straight bumper weight,

that is a nice snazzy adjustable tag axle for pickups

 

[Doughknob]

your hitch is rated for more as a weight distribution hitch then as a straight bumper weight,
...

How do you know this? This snapshot says, 'it depends on the hitch.' It also says that the ones used for weight distributing are rated "up to......1000 lbs. maximum trailer tongue weight." This is still a downward weight rating. No mention of upward force ratings.....
???

 

[LouNY]

Very true however I have never seen a receiver hitch that was not rated higher when used with a weight distributing hitch then when used as a straight drawbar pulling hitch.
Every equalizer hitch puts a lifting rotating force into the receiver hitch how else can it unload a rear axle and increase the front axle and trailer axle loadings.

 

[nikerret]

Cool concept, for sure. I’m wondering how that will be viewed, from an enforcement standpoint. If it’s considered a towed unit, it may require “doubles/triples endorsement”, for commercial drivers or vehicles. Since it has safety chains, that makes an argument for it being a towed unit versus it being a part of the towing vehicle (such as a dump truck strong arm, which this mimics).

It looks like it has brakes, but those could just be shields. I couldn’t tell. Again, this could be bad, if it doesn’t. All axles on commercial vehicles are required to have brakes, with a few exceptions. One of those exceptions is if the towed unit is under 3,000 pounds (I’m guessing this unit is less than that). However, if we are saying it’s a towed unit, so it doesn’t need brakes, then we have to also say it’s the first towed unit and any other units would qualify for doubles. Interesting.

 

[nikerret]

Very true however I have never seen a receiver hitch that was not rated higher when used with a weight distributing hitch then when used as a straight drawbar pulling hitch.

For a long time, this was true. Some of the HD pickups have started coming with the same ratings, regardless of WDH use. I believe it was around 2018 or 2019 that started, coming from the factory.

 

[Doughknob]

Very true however I have never seen a receiver hitch that was not rated higher when used with a weight distributing hitch then when used as a straight drawbar pulling hitch.yes, rated higher for a higher tongue weight - not for an upward force.
Every equalizer hitch puts a lifting rotating force into the receiver hitch how else can it unload a rear axle and increase the front axle and trailer axle loadings.i think we are missing some here. again, even for weight distribution hitches, the force is still downward on the truck hitch. The weight distribution arms just move the load rearwards so as to not put "as much" downward force on receiver hitch. In this trailer helper case (OP original post) it is actually pushing upwards.

...

 

[LouNY]

Well to me it is an interesting idea which I kind of like.
I also did not see any trailer hitch on the unit and it didn't seem to be advertising any trailer capabilities.
Also I would not be in the least worried about the direction of any applied loading.
Have a good day.

 

[sandman2234]

Interesting idea, no doubt. I would be concerned about using it, because typically the rear frame sections behind the rear springs are lighter than the rest of the frame, and if you overload the truck, all of the weight you are trying to get rid of becomes that rear section of frame's problem. If you move the weight up against the front of the bed, it would probably make it even worse.
I don't see any provision for adding a hitch to it, and doubt it is designed for a trailer.
David from jax

 

[jjeff]

Interesting idea, no doubt. I would be concerned about using it, because typically the rear frame sections behind the rear springs are lighter than the rest of the frame, and if you overload the truck, all of the weight you are trying to get rid of becomes that rear section of frame's problem. If you move the weight up against the front of the bed, it would probably make it even worse.
I don't see any provision for adding a hitch to it, and doubt it is designed for a trailer.
David from jax

Lots of good points made. Well if there's no provisions for a hitch it's useless for a lot of potential buyers imo. I believe it's Ridgid mounted into the receiver, with no coupler, if I read it right. Still with manufacturers upping towing capacity on 1/2 tons to what 3/4 and even older 1tons used to tow it might work or not with some extra reinforcement on the back of a trucks frame. One of the biggest things I found when I tow something properly loaded is the ability to not be pushed and the ability to stop.

 

[JPRambo]

your hitch is rated for more as a weight distribution hitch then as a straight bumper weight,