weight distribution hitchs?

escavader · Dec 19, 2005

Hey folks,would one of those weight distribution hitchs,help my cherokee,when im pulling my tandem,with the tractor on it.It does it now ok but im a little concerned,about any stresses it might be putting on the leaf springs etc.Are they worth the money...or all hype?NO...IM NOT BUYING A NEW TOW VEHICLE[unless you got an old cherry 70s 1 ton with dump and auto for sale /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif]

KentT · Dec 19, 2005

IMO, once you've used one, you'll never tow a heavy load without one...

Luckily, they can be moved from vehicle to vehicle and trailer to trailer...

BTW, Hidden Hitch brand was the least expensive out there when I was looking almost 2 years ago. You should be able t find one in the $300 - $350 range, instead of the approximate $500 range that some of the "big names" charge....

Only significant difference I can tell is how the "locking pin" works on the bars...

HGM · Dec 19, 2005

My grandfather always swore by them. In theory its a great thing because it gives you better front end geometry on the tow vehicle and "weight distribution" allowing better control. I cant really say from experience because I dont remember ever towing with one myself..

By the way,I do have two hitches here that I need to get trailer ends for... If anyone knows where I can get them I'd appreciate the info.. I plan to start using one when I get the ends. Thanks.

RayH · Dec 19, 2005

escavader, How does that Cherokee do with the trailer and tractor? Ive got a Cherokee and will be towing my BX23 on a 16 ft tamdem landscaping trailer with brakes. Got any pictures of it hooked up? Im going to give it a try without weight distribution but Ive also got Add-a-leafs in the rear for a little more support. I wont be towing it often or for long distance.

Highbeam · Dec 19, 2005

I thought the grand cherokee and maybe also the cherokee use unibody construction. The manufacturers of many unibody rigs don't want you using weight distribution since there is no frame to distribute the weight to the front. At least check the owner's manual for the cherokee.

If WD hitches are allowed then I would recommend one. I use one and it allows the whole rig to move more as a unit over bumps. Also the WD system firmly plants weight on each axle to limit the wandering feeling of a light end.

Mine was bought from the local RV dealer. It is a Robyn Industries hitch and was only 265$ with the 10,000 lb rating and 1000 lb spring bars. Allthough I had to get my own ball. Lovely hitch.

RayH · Dec 19, 2005

The Cherokee manual states that it is rated to tow 3500lbs and a tongue weight of 350lbs without weight distribution and 5000lbs and no stated tongue weight limit (I guess that makes sense?) with weight distribution.

I should add thats with the 4.0 and automatic. It doesnt specifically say that you need WD to tow 5000lbs, what it says is that you need WD for a tongue weight over 350lbs and the minimum tongue weight is 10% of trailer weight. So any thing over 3500lbs you should have WD.

RayH · Dec 19, 2005

Both the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee are considered unibody. By the strictest defination, they really arent true unibodies. They have a frame and frame rails that run the length of the body. The suspension, skid plates, cross member, engine and tranny mounts are all bolted to and are supported by this "frame" just like with a body on frame vehicle. The difference is that the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee "frame" is welded to the body and uses the body as a structural member.

SWB · Dec 19, 2005

They are not hype. I pulled horse trailers for years and always used an equalizer hitch. Now when I pull a trailer without one, I really feel the difference. You get a lot more control of the whole rig.

Bob_Skurka · Dec 19, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hey folks,would one of those weight distribution hitchs,help my cherokee,when im pulling my tandem,with the tractor on it. )</font>

Make sure your Cherokee recommends a WD hitch. Some vehicles specifically do not.

escavader · Dec 20, 2005

RAY H,
My CHEROKEE does a great job hauling it,with my 14 ft tandom,moter and tranny wise,the straght 6 power package is great,dont use overdrive though..You definately want your trailer brakes working.I got the tow package with the tranny cooler,reese hitch etc,cant remember if you said you did or not.With my 23 the fel right up against the front of the trailer is proper hirch weight,but my trailer is different then yours.TOO much hitch weight makes you light on the front and is hard on your suspension...too little will make the trailer wander going fast,and light on the rear.The combo of 23 and my 14 fter puts me at the end of the max towing window so be carefull.I hauled 4000 lbs of blocks up to my camp ,and it was harry,i got pushed around on those downhill grades...never will try to take that much again.Where i bought my trailer reccommended that hitch,but i had a hard enough time explaining to the old lady why suddenly after an expensive tractor purchase,i had to go buy a tandem.Ill have to read my manuel and see if they say much about the hitchs.
one more thing,and trust me on this from experience...THE STRAPS WONT WORK GET CHAINS AND BINDERS AND PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT.
ALAN