Over maximum hitch weight, or not?

[JDgreen227]

OEM GM hitch on my truck is rated for 10,000 pounds with a weight distributing setup and it has a maximum tongue weight rating of 1,000 pounds with the WD setup. I am looking at a new travel trailer that has a dry hitch weight of 1,010 pounds and after adding LP gas and bedding and camping supplies to the trailer (not going to travel with water in the tanks) I calculate the tongue weight will go up to about 1,300 pounds and gross trailer weight will be about 7800 pounds, well under the maximum factory tow rating of 8800 pounds. The WD hitch uses spring bars that are rated to 1,000 pounds per pair.

If you were me, would you be concerned about the 300 pound over-the weight limit for the tongue? Or will the hitch bars reduce the weight enough?
Thanks for your input.

 

[Diamondpilot]

OEM GM hitch on my truck is rated for 10,000 pounds with a weight distributing setup and it has a maximum tongue weight rating of 1,000 pounds with the WD setup. I am looking at a new travel trailer that has a dry hitch weight of 1,010 pounds and after adding LP gas and bedding and camping supplies to the trailer (not going to travel with water in the tanks) I calculate the tongue weight will go up to about 1,300 pounds and gross trailer weight will be about 7800 pounds, well under the maximum factory tow rating of 8800 pounds. The WD hitch uses spring bars that are rated to 1,000 pounds per pair.

If you were me, would you be concerned about the 300 pound over-the weight limit for the tongue? Or will the hitch bars reduce the weight enough?
Thanks for your input.

I would replace the hitch. The GM hitches of that era are weak. I have seen many bent, granted they were overloaded, but still bent.

I never cared at all for the design with it supported off the bumper. I would look at Putnam or Curt hitches.

Chris

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

You need a bigger hitch and WDH also with 1200 pounds bars.
Over weight is over weight...no matter how you look at it.
I would not take the road and risk it !!

 

[JDgreen227]

Thanks Chris and MIB for your feedback...and Chris also read the PM I sent you.

 

[Gunny]

WD hitches are designed to transfer some of the weight from the rear axle to the front, so with only being 300 pounds over, you should be alright, as long as you don't have the bed filled with other stuff (toolboxes, firewood, etc)

Is the hitch weight you talk about the actual weight or was it written in the sales brochures? Campers (TT and 5th wheel) are notorious for understating actual hitch weights since so many throw that number out there on a barebones model and don't take options that are added on into account. Also, while you're estimating how much weight you're going to load, remember that anything loaded in the camper ahead of the axle will add to hitch weight, anything loaded behind the axle won't.

The only way to be sure is to get everything set up like you're going camping then run it across a set of scales and check all the numbers against the owners manual, just to be sure. And in the line of just being sure, I'd also go with an aftermarket hitch.