Forum Discussion
Ron_Gratz
Jul 05, 2014Explorer
LarryJM wrote:Larry, I'm not the OP, but I'll tell you why I would go with the 1200# bars.
Can you please explain your logic by going with the 1200lb bars.
For many years, WDH manufacturers recommended that their WDH be adjusted to cause the TV to "settle" equally at the front and rear axles.
This means that the amount of tongue weight carried on the front and rear axles would be approximately equal.
And, I assume, their WD bars were rated to produce that amount of load redistribution.
For a typical TV/TT combination, getting the front and rear to settle equally would require a load equal to about 130% of the tongue weight to be applied to each WD bar.
Since TV and WDH manufacturers now are specifying that it is not necessary to adjust for equal squat, it no longer is necessary for a WD bar to transfer as much load as previously.
If you are not trying to achieve equal squat, the WD bar does not need to have a rating equal to or greater than the tongue weight.
If the objective is to return the front axle to its unhitched load, each WD bar only needs to have an applied load equal to about 80% of the tongue weight.
IOW, the amount of bar loading required for zero net load change on the front axle is equal to about 80/130 = 62% of the load required for equal squat.
So, let's assume WD bars rated for 1200# could safely be used to achieve equal squat with a tongue weight of 1200#.
These same bars then should be safe to achieve zero net front axle load change with a tongue weight as high as 1200/0.62 = 1900#.
The stress imposed on a WD bar is not directly dependent on tongue weight.
The stress imposed on a WD bar is directly dependent on now much load is being transferred.
If you're not trying to achieve equal squat, the bars do not need to have a rating which is greater than or equal to the tongue weight.
That's my logic.
Ron
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