Any gain from WD on a dodge 3500

The 350-lb restriction has to do with the strength of the hitch receiver, in main. What's the measured TW on your TT? 12% of 7000 is 840. A static measurment, remember, as the dynamics make it a 20' lever going down the road. It is NOT the same as truck payload. On that you might also hit the rear axle/tire limit sooner than you think.

A decent WD hitch (tapered round bar) isn't expensive nor is it hard to set up correctly on a scale. It also provides some anti-sway. The combined rig drives better under all conditions.

It's easier -- and better -- to regard the hitch as part of the TT.

The "best" aftermarket hitch receiver is going to be the TITAN 45299. Full crossmember replacement.


https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Reese/45299.html


Not mine, but a local guy

Install pics

well, sure enough, the owners manual says 350 lb and I'm pretty much going to ignore that recommendation a lot of the time, but at least it's an informed decision.

I think that section was written by the lawyers.

A long drive, over varying weather and road conditions with the family I'd probably try the WD.

But this week I'll be driving the rig 50 miles by myself to use it as a Holiday guest cottage. and I can't find all the WD hardware.

That's life on the edge, right....

I think you should forget about the weight transfer to the front axle. with that truck, you don't need it.
Instead, look at where your headlights are pointing when the trailer is hooked up. Are you blinding oncoming drivers even on low beam? THAT is what the WD systems were originally invented for!
Long ago, I had a 19 foot TT that I towed with three different vehicles. I did not use a WD hitch on the Ford E150 Club Wagon. It was not needed.
I did not use a WD hitch on the Dodge 3/4 ton. It was not needed.
I HAD to use a WD hitch on the Jeep Wagoneer! It was an absolute necessity to keep the back bumper off the ground, and the headlights on the road where they belonged.

I have yet to see a 10-12k construction bumper pull type trailer with a WD bars. These are typlically pulled by 3500 series trucks with utility boxes and have heavy equipment strapped to trailers.

hertfordnc wrote:

jmtandem wrote:
The one thing you probably need to do is upgrade the stock receiver if you choose to run without WD.

Really? The trucks is rated for 13,700 as is. Not sure how reliable the trailerlife tow rating book is but it doesn't say a thing about WD or any other limitations on the stock truck.

Can't imagine it being hurt by my little TT

Yes, really. Read your owner's manual, and check the weight ratings on your truck's receiver. My F-350's stock receiver was only rated for something like 500/5000 if not using a weight-distributing hitch. Has nothing to do with the 12,500-lb towing capacity of my truck.

I've since upgraded my receiver to a beefy Curt unit, which is rated for 1700/17000 weight-carrying. I still use my weight-distributing hitch, however, since I don't want to subject myself to that ride.

OP, your owners manual will tell you that it is REQUIRED by DODGE to have a WDH for a TW above 350-lbs. This is without regard for the truck spec or whether you have the factory or an aftermarket hitch receiver. I've been doing this for forty years and it wouldn't occur to me to go without WD. Yes, I've done it, and no, I don't like it. I know the difference.

You know me from this and other forums. So I speak to others as well (and congrats on getting one of the really all-time cool trailers. Yes, WDH will help preserve that TT).

Move all the way to a HENSLEY or PRO PRIDE hitch and receive the many benefits of both WD and that hitch type. I can do maneuvers (have tested it with violent lane changes all across an empty Interstate at 55+) that would put any conventional WD or 5'er in the ditch or on its side and I can do them all day long. Fewer steering corrections, better braking and reduced driver fatigue PAY both tangibly and intangibly. I drive 12,000-miles monthly and know of what I speak.

My personal vehicle, my combined rig, needs the best stability I can fit to it. Minimizing risk is the game. A great pickup, yes, but there is no reason good enough to counter the performance gain of an excellent lash-up. There is a numerically-based combined-vehicle mechanical baseline to establish. The range of future adjustments is small (WDH and TV tire pressure), but one must start somewhere. "Nothing" isn't any kind of start as hitch receiver and likely tires are at or above limits.

Start with these:
Ron Gratz Scale Weight Chart

Wheel-by-Wheel Weighing Instructions


Your TT also deserves -- if not so equipped -- shock absorbers, more wheel travel, better brakes (or at least better wiring) as well as LT tires plus being sure of ZERO brake drag and perfect axle alignment (DIY threads by JBarca and others). Same for the TV: get rid of steering slop, perfect the alignment and be sure of no brake drag. And add very best brake controller. Big changes or small, they all add up for when it matters. "Driver skill" is what the amateurs talk about, "risk minimization" is where the pro's start conversations.

I replied to your Q about shift strategy on CF at some length.

I really love the interior fit and finish on a Boles. I hope to see pics on this and those other forums,

Best

.

Highway 4x4 wrote:
I had an 03 Ram Diesel and would not think of towing without a WD hitch and a sway control. Even just a friction sway device. If you think the 03 tows great, my 14 Ram diesel just hits it out of the park for towing and I will still use a WD hitch. I plan for that second that I need all the control I can get. Then pray that second never happens.

X2, it only takes the one "second" to make a believer out of you:)

I had an 03 Ram Diesel and would not think of towing without a WD hitch and a sway control. Even just a friction sway device. If you think the 03 tows great, my 14 Ram diesel just hits it out of the park for towing and I will still use a WD hitch. I plan for that second that I need all the control I can get. Then pray that second never happens.

jmtandem wrote:

My mistake, the TT was 32' long

No biggie, we all have senior moments. I have never seen a 42 foot TT and was interested in what it was. Airstream uses three axles on some of their longer coaches but none extending to 42 feet that I am aware of.

I resemble that "senior moment" comment:):):):):)

My mistake, the TT was 32' long

No biggie, we all have senior moments. I have never seen a 42 foot TT and was interested in what it was. Airstream uses three axles on some of their longer coaches but none extending to 42 feet that I am aware of.