A newbie thinking about getting a TT
Hi Folks, I have been reading through this site ravenously and have learned many things so far. I am currently a boater who after 16 seasons with my current boat is looking to start something ne...
Forum Discussion
All half tons required a weight distributing hitch over 600 pounds of tongue weight, some 500 pounds. 600 pounds means about 4500 pound loaded RV, and 3500 dry. So pretty much every double axle TT needs a WDH when pulled by a half ton vehicle.
A WDH accomplishes 2 important things: restore weight that is taken off the front axle and remove weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle. This increases stability and driver comfort. Rear suspension aids such as Timbrens, add-a-leaf, overload springs, and air bags do neither of the two things a properly adjusted WDH does. Therefore, my opinion is that these rear suspension aids at best complicate WDH adjustment and mask overloaded situations.
My recommendation is to "plan on upgrading to a Chevy 2500 Diesel in the future" prior to choosing a travel trailer. You can spending a lot of time looking for a good match for your current truck, but it will likely come with some compromises. A 3/4 ton diesel truck will open you up to almost any TT. Many people say buy your second or 3rd RV first. It gets expensive to replace the TT, especially if you buy new every 3 years or less! So if you know you will end up in a 3/4 ton, get the right truck now and enjoy the travel time instead of pushing the limits or damaging a perfectly good for someone else half ton.
A WDH accomplishes 2 important things: restore weight that is taken off the front axle and remove weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle. This increases stability and driver comfort. Rear suspension aids such as Timbrens, add-a-leaf, overload springs, and air bags do neither of the two things a properly adjusted WDH does. Therefore, my opinion is that these rear suspension aids at best complicate WDH adjustment and mask overloaded situations.
My recommendation is to "plan on upgrading to a Chevy 2500 Diesel in the future" prior to choosing a travel trailer. You can spending a lot of time looking for a good match for your current truck, but it will likely come with some compromises. A 3/4 ton diesel truck will open you up to almost any TT. Many people say buy your second or 3rd RV first. It gets expensive to replace the TT, especially if you buy new every 3 years or less! So if you know you will end up in a 3/4 ton, get the right truck now and enjoy the travel time instead of pushing the limits or damaging a perfectly good for someone else half ton.
