Hi all,Looking at new travel trailers and wonder if I need a WD hitch? I have been pulling a little Fun Finder 139 without.We are looking at trailers in the 21-24 total length (including tongue) range and with GVWR in the 5000 lb range. TV is a 2014 Ram 1500 CrewCab 6'5" bed, 8speed, 3.92 gears, tow package, 10500 towing capacity.Should I go with a WD hitch?

You'll probably need one based on the ratings of your truck's receiver. At 5000lbs, the tongue weight darned well better be over 500lbs, and the receivers on most 1500 series pickups are only rated to 500lbs without a WD hitch.The trailer will probably weigh between 6000 and 6500lbs loaded and ready to camp, with a tongue weight of 700 to 750lbs. That's WD territory for a 1500 series pickup.Get one with built in sway control. It's good insurance against unknown sources of sway, and really helps with the push-pull from large vehicles passing by.

You are about to get a lot of opinions both ways. But the truth is that the answer isn't a matter of opinion from afar AND that it depends entirely on factors not so far discussed.

mkirsch wrote:You'll probably need one based on the ratings of your truck's receiver. At 5000lbs, the tongue weight darned well better be over 500lbs, and the receivers on most 1500 series pickups are only rated to 500lbs without a WD hitch.The trailer will probably weigh between 6000 and 6500lbs loaded and ready to camp, with a tongue weight of 700 to 750lbs. That's WD territory for a 1500 series pickup.Get one with built in sway control. It's good insurance against unknown sources of sway, and really helps with the push-pull from large vehicles passing by.The loaded weight will be around 5000 lbs. Perhaps I used GVWR incorrectly?

I assumed you used GVWR incorrectly. Most people when shopping for RVs go by the "dry" weight and don't take into account the stuff they need to do more than sit in their own filth in the middle of the floor, cold, naked, thirsty and hungry all weekend.Even at 5000lbs, your tongue weight better be at least 550lbs if not closer to 600. This will exceed the rating on the receiver, and require a WD hitch. Would an extra 100lbs break your receiver? Probably not, but do you want to chance it?The WD hitch will still help with handling even if you don't absolutely need it.

In the 5000 lbs GVWR range there is a good possibility the use of a WDH is required by the truck manufacturer due to your receiver rating. But even if not, the use of a WDH will in general reduce the wear and tear on the suspension system of your truck, and increase the "comfort of the ride". The only reason not to use one is to save $350.00 at the expense of replacing the shocks sooner (the remote chance of breaking a spring) and a more seesaw ride. I would but you have to decide for yourself if it's worth it.

Do I need a WD Hitch | Good Sam Community

BenK
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017
yup....for every 25' horizontal a 2" drop for headlamp in Califorinia and you have to look it for your states DOT requirements

Of course this is for a level TV that has been brought back to the TV OEM's spec on WD height/weight adjustment.

If the headlamps are pointing up into the trees AFTER the WD system has been finished and fine tuned...the WD isn't returning the TV to the TV OEM's WD spec...

BarneyS wrote:
No need to purchase a trailer to get the headlights aimed correctly.
Barney
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2017
BenK wrote:
Snip...

If the headlamps are pointing up into the trees AFTER the WD system has been finished and fine tuned...the WD isn't returning the TV to the TV OEM's WD spec...

Snip...

That is one of the main reason why I don't believe in the recommendations to "return half way" or "no WD required" etc.

If your headlights are correctly aimed before you hook up the trailer, then, in my opinion, they headlights should be correctly aimed after you hook up the trailer and adjust the WD. That cannot happen with the front only returned to 1/2 its' original height.
Barney
atwowheelguy
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017
The scale will tell the tale. My 900 lb. tongue weight lifted 360 lbs. from the steer axle. I suppose a 600 lb. tongue weight would lift 240 lbs. from the front. Lifting this weight from the front reduces braking and steering capability. The WDH returned 260 lbs. to the front axle while removing 380 lbs. from the rear axle. So without the WDH, the rear axle on my truck would be overloaded by 150 lbs. With the WDH, the rear axle is at 230 lbs. UNDER the GAWR. I have the EAZ Lift Elite with 1000 lb. bars and one anti-sway friction bar. It works fine. I don't know what else I would want a hitch to do. I do seem to get some grease on myself somewhere every time I install the hitch and hook it up. There is grease on the hitch ball, both sway bar mounting balls and on both tension bars.

Forum Discussion

Do I need a WD Hitch

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Andersen Hitch Failure

Hitch Extenders

Hitches

Trailer Hitch

Hitch pin or hitch lock?