Another WD hitch question...

IMO opinion you should go with the WD hitch, the purpose of which is to restore the weight to your front axle when you apply the 1370 tongue weight.

Well, look at my signature block please. I just purchased my 2014 Silverado 3500 dully. A couple days ago I just needed to move the trailer from one side of my drive way to the other to make room for a 20 foot dumpster (we're getting ready to remodel more of our house).

I thought I'd "fudge" since I was only moving the trailer a 50 feet and then back again to the other side of the drive way. So I did not use my weight distribution bars. (This was actually a good test). I went ahead and hitched up, and to my surprise, my rear bumper came down 2 inches! I was shocked.

I went ahead and moved the camper. I then put the weight distribution bars back on and the truck as I was going to move the camper again after the dumpster arrived. When I did this, the bumper raised about 1 and 1/2 inches. So from the original starting position, the rear bumper dropped only 1/2 inch with the bars on.

Lesson learned, I need the weight distribution bars when towing on the road! I'm glad I've got them... And yes, I have a brand new 1 ton dully (Chevy) 3500!

Word of advise: Don't leave home without them.

In a few words... do you "NEED" them... no, not in a legal sense.. but they sure do make the truck ride better.

This is coming from another dually owner who had a 31 ft TT and a CC long bed dually.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I towed a 32' race car trailer with my 91 F350 dually and yes, I needed them.

DutchmenSport wrote:
Well, look at my signature block please. I just purchased my 2014 Silverado 3500 dully. A couple days ago I just needed to move the trailer from one side of my drive way to the other to make room for a 20 foot dumpster (we're getting ready to remodel more of our house).

I thought I'd "fudge" since I was only moving the trailer a 50 feet and then back again to the other side of the drive way. So I did not use my weight distribution bars. (This was actually a good test). I went ahead and hitched up, and to my surprise, my rear bumper came down 2 inches! I was shocked.

I went ahead and moved the camper. I then put the weight distribution bars back on and the truck as I was going to move the camper again after the dumpster arrived. When I did this, the bumper raised about 1 and 1/2 inches. So from the original starting position, the rear bumper dropped only 1/2 inch with the bars on.

Lesson learned, I need the weight distribution bars when towing on the road! I'm glad I've got them... And yes, I have a brand new 1 ton dully (Chevy) 3500!

Word of advise: Don't leave home without them.

It is a Dually not dully, I would have never thought a Dually needed a wd to to a travel trailer.

Need and want are two different things. Being a DRW doesn't effect weight transfer and ride, and with only 1370lbs of TW their isn't much benefit to the slightly stiffer DRW suspension over a SRW 3500. The biggest benefit is the DRW is less prone to sway from an improperly loaded trailer. So being a DRW in this instance isn't really factored I to WD or not.

The WD hitch will really improve the ride while towing, and restore some weight to the front axle for better steering and lighting.

I highly suggest one, but no it's not "needed".

hey all... As usual, thanks for all the input and advice. I went to the dealership this morning and put my deposit down and I went ahead with the WD hitch per everyone's recommendation here.. He also wanted to add sway prevention as well and I told him we'd hold off on that and see how things worked without it and if needed, I'd come back and add it... he was good with that...

before I posted here, I was really leaning towards not getting the WD hitch.. glad this forum and you smart folks are here :)

I feel you also need WDH on these heavy tongue weights because you are applying the weight behind the axle instead of on top of it like a FW. That leverage makes a big difference.

When I had my 22' toy hauler, I had one friction anti-sway bar and that was enough. Now my 20' enclosed trailer uses the same WDH but without the sway control. The TH had a taller profile and more side surface area than my enclosed which I feel makes the difference. Your wider rear track may negate the need for a sway device, but you may want one if you travel in gusty areas or where there is frequent semi traffic passing you (this is where I felt the difference in my TH).

What I did want to question is your 2000 lb tongue weight rating on your receiver. Usually only aftermarket models have that amount of capacity without running weight distribution. Are sure that your receiver was rated for that much dead weight and that was not the rating with a WDH?

Bedlam wrote:


What I did want to question is your 2000 lb tongue weight rating on your receiver. Usually only aftermarket models have that amount of capacity without running weight distribution. Are sure that your receiver was rated for that much dead weight and that was not the rating with a WDH?

I'm not certain I guess... the sticker on the receiver said 2k tongue weight.. it didn't mention anything about weight distrib..