WD Hitch Weight % Transferred
Obviously, the answer to my question is going to depend, but what is a good rule of thumb to use when estimating how much weight a WD Hitch will transfer from the hitch? Another thread recently sug...
Forum Discussion
Campin LI wrote:A typical WDH probably weighs less than 100#, while load transfers to the TT can exceed 300#.
I understand what you are trying to do. You have to realize that your weight distribution hitch has it's own weight. The weight of the hitch is about the same (give or take) as the weight that will be transferred to the trailer axles once setup. Therefore, in my opinion, there is no substantial gain in truck capacity to your train of thought.---
IMO, neither the weight of the WDH nor the amount of load transfer to the TT should be ignored.
IMO, a proper load analysis procedure should include the actual or estimated weight of the WDH as TV cargo.
The TV's unhitched GVW should include the weight of TV, occupants, added equipment, cargo, and the WDH.
Then, the TV's GVWR minus the GVW gives the maximum vertical load which can be imposed on the hitch.
Example:
If the TV's GVW (including weight of WDH) is 6200# and the GVWR is 7000#, you have 800# remaining for vertical load on hitch.
A 1000# TW, with 200# transferred to TT's axles, will exert 800# on the hitch.
If you don't include the 100# weight of WDH in the TV's GVW, the GVW will be 6100#, and you will have 900# remaining for combined weight of WDH plus vertical load exerted on the hitch.
The result is the same -- you can still have 800# exerted on the hitch. And that means you can still have 1000# of TW if 200# is transferred to the TT's axles.
If you ignore both the weight of the WDH and the load transfer to the TT, you'll incorrectly calculate an allowable "tongue weight" of 900#.
At a TW% of 12.5%, the difference between an allowable TW of 900# and 1000# means an increase in allowable TT weight of 800#.
Ron
