Any reason I'd need weight distribution?

TomG2 wrote:
According to gmw photos, "There is likely some truth in what you say."

Thanks. There may be some truth in what you wrote also.

Obviously there are several different numbers to look at, payload for instance. It would take a pretty dumb person to put even 500 pounds of tongue weight on a pickup already over its payload limit with a bed full of firewood. The hitch has its own ratings. The rear axle. The tires. The WD bars. The list goes on and on. I was not quoting from the Nissan manual when I said that GM has changed their requirements for weight distributing hitches. For all I know, a Nissan may be a lot like Gramp's old Buick.

And for a person like the OP....someone who is new at all this, it certainly would be wise to do as much homework as possible. You are correct there are several numbers to look at. What I do when I am setting up a trailer and truck combo, is make a easy to read chart where I can fill in all the blanks. I include a box for everything from tire capacities, to axle capacities on both the trailer and tow vehicle, etc, etc. At the end of it, I also figure where I am as a percentage of allowed. And guessing doesn't count....for me, numbers have to be determined by trips to the scale.
We often see on these forums that folks think this is overly complex. It's not, really. Once a person writes it all down on a piece of paper, and simply looks at it, it all starts falling into place with the application of sixth grade level math.