Weight distribution hitch

[Bird]

Are they easy to install or do you need a pro to do it?

Many years ago, I bought a new little 18' travel trailer and let the RV dealer install the hitch on a '70 Olds 88 (lots of you probably aren't old enough to remember when most travel trailers were pulled by sedans instead of pickups). Everything looked OK, but I got an almost continuous surging feel going down the road. The RV dealer couldn't figure out why, so had me take it to a place that specialized in trailer hitches. The owner of that place took one look at it, and said it needed the ball (or hitch head) to be raised 1" and tilted back 1/8". And that fixed the problem. Sometimes very small adjustments make big differences.

 

[JoeR]

I see that the people who sell these things don't always know what they are doing. Time for me to ask around in my area for a person who knows about towing and proper weight distribution. I wonder if the local trailer manufacturer has a guru. Time to call!

Thanks,

Joe

P.S. I remember the Olds 88. Our family car was a 67 Chevy Bel Air. We called it the tank! I used to shovel snow off the hood with a metal shovel!! Didn't scratch the paint, and I used to stand on the hood!!! The trunk was huge too! Solid metal chrome bumpers! I remember my mom parallel parking and getting her bumper locked with another bumper. We had to get out and jump up and down while she hit reverse to unlock the bumpers! Didn't even damage the cars back then!

Joe

 

[Marine1]

JoeR,
I got that Equal-i-zer hitch for my Travel Trailer. Super easy to install and I did it in about 1.5 hours. The good thing about this Weight distribution system is that it also has intigrated anti-sway bars. You can also hitch your trailer at any angle.

Without it, the rear of my truck has absolutely no bounce in the rear axle and the front of the truck raises way up. With it, everything is on an even plain and the weight is on all axles evenly or close to even. The drive is flawless and smooth with no sway.

Reese also makes a good Weight Distribution system called the Dual Cam I think. I opted for the Equal-i-zer because of the ability to hitch at any angle.
"This Roman Meal Bakery thought you should know"

 

[escavader]

JOE,
I also wondered if they were all what they are cracked up to be.I bought one ,and what a difference,my CHEROKEE is level it takes bumps with ease,and the all around handling is awsome.Never go without one again.I recently hauled 3 full size atvs 600 miles round trip to FORT KENT MAINE on vacation.Anyone whom has gone up rt 11 will tell you its very hilly.I hate to think what might have happened without the W.D.H. and electric brakes.Next year i plan on taking 4,yes it might seem nuts ,but its still under my 5000 lb towing capacity.The hitch has made me comfortable towing.
ALAN

 

[Joe1]

Joe: Weight distribution hitches are an excellent way to go. You almost never see a travel trailer without one unless it's a huge truck and small trailer.

They distribute 1/3 or weight to front axle, 1/3 to rear axle and 1/3 to trailer axles. Due to their design, there is friction created at the hitch which has some effect as an anti-sway device. It's not a true anti-sway device but does help eliminate some sway.

I'm 61, and in 1967 my folks had a 22' Silver Streak trailer they towed behind a Pontiac Bonneville with very soft suspension. The car, without the trailer hooked up would drag the hitch going in the short but steep driveway. When the trailer was hooked up, it no longer would drag. The whole vehicle settled evenly and level. I towed that car/trailer thru 40+ mph cross winds with no ill effects because of the solid conection.

Also around 1967, when the Olds Toronado came out (First big American Front Wheel Drive vehicle of modern times), the Ezy-Lift hitch company took two of them, removed the rear wheels and wired the axle up off the ground. They hooked a 25' travel trailer and a Jet Ski boat and trailer behind the cars and drove them from LA to the Colorado River and back, 600+ miles total WITHOUT THE REAR WHEELS OF THE CARS ON THE GROUND.

They trully do work, particularly when the tow vehicle is at or near it's maximum rated tow load. For the few hundred dollars invested, they last a long time, provide safer towing and easier driving.

Good Luck.

Joe1

 

[SkyPup]

I would not attempt to take our FeatherLight two horse bumper pull trailer out on the road without a weight distributing hitch.

 

[Egon]

Above certain trailer weights they are required.

 

[3RRL]

In searching for WD hitches, there were a couple of choices. Can anyone reccomend a specific make and why? I have a '94 Full Size Blazer so I would appreciate any feed back.
I read Highbeam's post that they must be installed properly. Is this best left to the dealership where bought to install or is it something I could do myself? I was hoping to order one on-line and install it myself?
Thanks,

 

[Dargo]

As "Marine1" mentioned, Reese makes a good system. I'm sure there are others who make good systems, but the Reese system I had back when I used bumper pull type trailers worked extremely well. I think Reese pretty well invented their system and others were copies of sorts. I may be wrong on that, since it's obviously been quite a while ago, but it is sort of like everyone saying they want a "Coke" when they want a soft drink; people want a "Reese" hitch system.

I had a trailer company install one of the Reese weight distributing hitches I had, and I installed the last one I had. It really isn't that big of a deal to install yourself.

 

[Bird]

I've owned Reese and Eaz-Lift; wouldn't give a nickel for the difference; both good, but there are others that are probably just as good; DrawTite comes to mind.

As for installation, if you buy one that's specifically for your make and model vehicle, it should just bolt in place (may or may not come with the bolts). And a tailpipe hanger may or may not require replacement or modification.