Why a weight distributing hitch???

[jcmseven]

I figured this was a legal thing, and having to do with those who may try to overstep bounds when towing. I, even with the heavy trailer, likely will max out at 11,000 pounds or so most times, and might not do a weight distributing hitch for this trailer combo if it pulls OK. Interestingly, the tongue weight on mine is 1,200 pound weight bearing and 2500 pound weight distributing as noted on the hitch so with a well-balanced trailer/load I do not feel I will come close on this. I have pulled right at the max with my other trailer with a WD hitch and it is really smooth. Thanks for the input.

John M

 

[IllMarty1]

I agree with Builder. I have F250 CC V-10, and tow a 20' skidsteer trailer that weighs 3200 lbs. It is a pintle hitch hook up. When the 1845 is on it with bucket, forks, and auger, it is just north of 10,000 lbs total. I haven't used WD with my factory mounted hitch, and the truck handles the load well. Puts me at my GCVWR Load balance is critical, as is careful driving.

My next truck, will have the class 5 on it, just in case. My 2000 350 had a class 5, and I can't tell the difference. I wish ford would just put class 5 hitches on all their pick ups 250 and higher.

Marty

 

[jcmseven]

Marty,

Mine says Class V on the hitch sticker, yet still has this silly notation on it. I cannot speak that all new 250's and up have it, but mine does. My 2002 had a Class IV on it.

John M

 

[Z-Michigan]

Without nearly the experience that others have, all I can say is that I've seen F350's pulling large travel trailers with a weight carrying hitch and having the rear of the truck sagging and the front end trying to take off. Just from looking at it it was a very unsafe rig setup. Maybe this can be avoided with good balancing on a flatbed - I don't know. I'm sure Ford specifies weight-distributing in part because they will rate based on the dumbest thing you can do that still technically meets the rating.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That boat & trailer weighs 15,600 lbs?

Man, what's in that thing...twin N-14 diesels? Concrete hull?

I wish. No it has twin 270HP 5.0L Volvo Penta SX Counter rotating drives. It also has a 7.5KW Kohler Genset. The beam of the boat is 10.5', the length is 36', and the hight on the trailer is 13'6" so I have to watch bridges and tree branches. The boat holds 150 gallons of fuel, 46 gallons of fresh water, 30 gallons of black water although that is usually emptied prior to leaving the lake.

The boat has all the goodies like stove, micro, tv/dvd, stereo, ac/heat, basically everything a travel trailer would have. The engines weigh in at 1040# each and the gen is about 450#.

I had the trailer weighed before I picked it up at the Eagle Trailer Factory in Michigan and it was just a tad over 2,800# by itself. It sits on triple 6,000# dexters. The lightest the boat can weigh on the trailer is 13,800# with no fluids or personal effects on board. Full fuel and water puts it at about 15,100# then I figure 500# for anchor, ropes, rafts, life jackets, food and beverages, bedding, and our personal effects for me and my family like clothing and books. We never go out any less than 3 days at a time so it is always filled up with water and fuel on the way so it ends up always weighing this much.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Like Builder and others have said it comes down to the lawyers. WD hitches work great but no in all applications. The best bet is to have a trailer that is long enough to allow proper balance of you load to keep the tong weight at the 10-15% mark and she will tow like a dream. Get the weight to far forward or aft and you will hate life.

Chris

 

[Egon]

Maybe builder has no problems! Of course he may not have checked out the regulations and consequences of non compliance.

There are always those with super trucks , the same ones you and me drive but just are better.

But then again he may not be fully informed when it comes to lawsuits and who is responsible for what.

I now I can tow my legal limit without a weight distributing hitch but why try when it's illegal.

Its not that I'm unfamiliar with towing heavy loads for long distances. But some may be!

I may be pretty blunt in my statements but I do own a truck and trailer which see considerable mileage!

 

[tlbuser]

That boat & trailer weighs 15,600 lbs?

Man, what's in that thing...twin N-14 diesels? Concrete hull?

Could just be a whole lot of second home and "entertainment expense" write-offs

 

[Skyco]

I've had many receivers that had the different ratings on them for weight carrying vs weight distributing. Seems pretty common and makes sense to me.

As for seeing improperly adjusted weight distributing setups on the road- well the world has no shortage of dummies. Many people and even dealers do not even know there are different weight ratings to the equalizing bars irrespective of the hitches total weight rating. IOW I have 1000 lb rated bars for my front heavy toy hauler. A friend has 300 lb rated bars for his lightweight TT. Many people are sold a WD setup without the seller even inquiring what tongue weight the trailer has which may have absolutely no relationship with the total weight of the trailer.

In 30+ years of towing I've never heard of any law anywhere in the US requiring a weight distributing hitch...if anyone else has I'd love to know where.....

There was also a comment about two hitches looking similar...well some are heat treated after manufacturing so one can't easily tell just by looking which is stronger.

 

[Egon]

[In 30+ years of towing I've never heard of any law anywhere in the US requiring a weight distributing hitch...if anyone else has I'd love to know where...../QUOTE]

Uhh - oops my foot is in mouth again.

The weight distributing hitch is a manufactures rating for their vehicle.

Compliance with these ratings may be a requirement???