Towing Batwing behind a truck

[Highbeam]

The WDH does not reduce tongue weight. That statement demonstrates a lack of understanding.

It distributes the tongue weight from amongst the trruck's axles. This means transfering a portion of the tongue weight from the rear axle to the front axle. Total tongue weight is still the same.

 

[meburdick]

The WDH does not reduce tongue weight. That statement demonstrates a lack of understanding.

It distributes the tongue weight from amongst the trruck's axles. This means transfering a portion of the tongue weight from the rear axle to the front axle. Total tongue weight is still the same.

True. The perceived effect is a reduction in tongue weight, but the ACTUAL effect is that some of that weight gets transferred to "other axles" besides the rear. And, to be exactly correct, "other axles" is ALL other axles, including those of the trailer. So, some weight may be borne by the front axle of the two vehicle while some may be borne by the trailer axles.

From what I understand, it works something like this: If you consider the mounting point of the hitch and ball to be the fulcrum, tongue weight has a natural tendency to push that fulcrum toward the ground. The net result is that the rear axle of the tow vehicle may be overloaded and the front axle "underloaded".

A WDH connects in such a way so as to "push" that fulcrum point back upward. The net result is that the front of the tow vehicle and the rear of the trailer will have some of that "weight" transferred back to them. With that weight now being handled by these other axles, it does slightly relieved the direct downward pressure at the fulcrum point and make the whole rig safer and easier to drive.

 

[Davidsan]

Nice pics! In addition to the chains to lock the wings in the up-right position, did you add any other straps or chains to help secure the wings? That is my biggest concern when hauling mine on the trailer-how to keep the wings from swaying back and forth...

Hawk

Hawk, thanks! I did not put straps on the wings. They were locked in transport mode (secured with steel bars) and did not move. The rear wheels that hang out over the wings do sway slightly, but only slightly. Probably would be a good idea to throw a strap on those next time to keep them pulled inward though.

 

[SLHawkins]

Hawk, thanks! I did not put straps on the wings. They were locked in transport mode (secured with steel bars) and did not move. The rear wheels that hang out over the wings do sway slightly, but only slightly. Probably would be a good idea to throw a strap on those next time to keep them pulled inward though.

OK. The difference is mine are secured in the transport position with chains rather than a steel bar. The keep the wings from folding out, but not inwards. Fabricating some sort of steel bars to provide rigid support seems to be the solution. Now you got me thinkin'...Thanks!!:thumbsup:

Hawk

 

[foreman Etexas]

OK. The difference is mine are secured in the transport position with chains rather than a steel bar. The keep the wings from folding out, but not inwards. Fabricating some sort of steel bars to provide rigid support seems to be the solution. Now you got me thinkin'...Thanks!!:thumbsup:

Hawk

In yellow is the bars that pin into the small yellow circle . Yeah no cylinders on mine,all hand power But will be adding some soon dont wonna do it to many times in a day...

 

[slowzuki]

Mmm, sort of, it does reduce effective tongue weight by creating a "moment" on the hitch vs a vertical tongue weight. It actually transfers weight ahead to the front axle AND rear onto the trailer axles. You can, on a light trailer/truck combo with a high rated wd hitch lift the back tires of the truck off the ground if you wanted. You see it once in a while with a empty truck trying to pull into a steep driveway with WD hitch, the tires will lose traction as the spring bars get loaded by the incline and he won't be able to move ahead.

The WDH does not reduce tongue weight. That statement demonstrates a lack of understanding.

It distributes the tongue weight from amongst the trruck's axles. This means transfering a portion of the tongue weight from the rear axle to the front axle. Total tongue weight is still the same.

 

[meburdick]

Mmm, sort of, it does reduce effective tongue weight by creating a "moment" on the hitch vs a vertical tongue weight. It actually transfers weight ahead to the front axle AND rear onto the trailer axles. You can, on a light trailer/truck combo with a high rated wd hitch lift the back tires of the truck off the ground if you wanted. You see it once in a while with a empty truck trying to pull into a steep driveway with WD hitch, the tires will lose traction as the spring bars get loaded by the incline and he won't be able to move ahead.

It essentially comes down to semantics. The WDH doesn't not directly reduce tongue weight. Period. It's not an anti-gravity device.

What it does do, however, is redistribute some of the weight on the tongue onto "other axles". As a result, the tongue bears less direct weight. So, the net effect is that there is less weight being borne by the rear axle. And, in effect, this gives the appearance of the tongue weight being lower than it actually it.