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

33 Replies

shades9323
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
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?
naturist
Nomad
Jun 27, 2017
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
Nomad II
Jun 27, 2017
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.

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Do I need a WD Hitch

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