Lwiddis wrote:
Regarding a weight distribution hitch, more than likely yes. Length is only one part of the equation...your TV is what? Wet hitch weight is? Wet TT total weight is what? What are you carrying in the TV? Sorry but I'm betting you have no idea as to weight.
To add to:
Wet hitch weight is what your camper weighs when it is loaded for a camping trip. A good ball park figure for loaded trailer weight is to add 1000 lbs to the unloaded weight of the trailer. To get a ball park on hitch weight, take loaded weight number, and multiply it by .13. Add 100 lbs (for WD hitch) and this is the weight, associated with the trailer, that your truck will need the capacity to carry.
Your truck has a max tow capacity of 8200 lbs. That is without passengers, cargo or aftermarket accessories. As you add these things, that 8200 lb capacity is going down, pound for pound.
Your truck also has a max rating for carrying weight (payload). That number is on a decal (or sticker) on your drivers door, or door post (max occupant / cargo weight). You need enough payload to carry the weight of any added accessories (bed covers, bed liners, undercoating, etc), people, pets, or cargo that is loaded in or on the truck. The weight of the distributing hitch and loaded trailer hitch weight, are considered cargo weight. It is very common to run out of payload before you get close to that advertised max tow weight.
Your hitch receiver has two numbers stamped on it. The lower number is the max hitch weight without a WD hitch. The higher number is max hitch weight with weight distribution.
When you hang the trailer hitch weight on the back of your truck. It adds weight to your rear axle and takes weight off of your front axle. Too much lost weight on the front axle, creates steering and handling (ie: trailer sway) issues. The primary purpose of a weight distributing hitch is to use leveraging to restore some (in some cases all) of that weight lost from the front axle.
