Confused about weight distribution
Sorry about the newbie threads lately, but this should be the last one. My tow vehicle is a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. Capacity is ~3,000 lbs (3,600 minus 100 for stow-and-go seats and 500 for family a...
Forum Discussion
wizards8507 wrote:harmanrk wrote:
The maximum tow rating are also listed with *When properly equipped. Going up to that maximum, something always has to be the weakest link, and in this case it sounds like it may be OP's your hitch. It will handle the advertised load with WD, but the trailer he is looking to pull, may not be compatible with it.
I'm not going anywhere near the maximum. The vehicle's capacity is 3,600 lbs, the receiver's capacity is 3,800 lbs. The "weak link" is the vehicle. The trailer I'm looking to tow maxes out at 2,200 lbs. I have plenty of room. As Mortimer Brewster outlined, it sounds like the "weight distributing equipment" that the hitch receiver talks about is actually in reference to the suspension modifications included in my tow package, and it's not saying it needs an actual weight distribution hitch.
The hitch receiver's ratings refer to the physical strength of that part ONLY. It has nothing to do with the rest of the vehicle.
The suspension upgrades in the tow package do not constitute weight distribution equipment. Stiffer rear suspension keeps the bumper off the ground, it does NOT transfer weight to the front axle, which is what a weight distribution hitch does.
The GC is a people hauler. It might handle the occasional trip to the lumber yard with a utility trailer in tow, but I would not expect it to perform well on long runs at freeway speeds, loaded with the family and a bunch of camping gear, especially if hills are involved.
