Weight distribution needed? Help interpret CAT scale numbers

Chuck_thehammer wrote:
my understanding.. any trailer over 6,000 pounds total weight .. needs a WDH.

for truck hitch and frame.. prevents the jacking at the receiver .. over bumps and uneven roads...

Maybe for a certain brand/model of truck, but it is not an overall requirement.

Many receivers are rated for 1,500lbs+ of tongue weight and 15,000lbs+ of trailer weight, withOUT a WDH. And, 1500lbs in the back of a heavy duty pickup is barely enough to make it squat.

When you get up into the world of heavy duty pickup trucks with properly-rated receivers, WDH becomes optional based on personal preference and personal experience. WDH can not only improve handling, but it can also improve the ride, reduce the "push-pull" feeling you get from large vehicles passing by, and with the right hitch, prevent sway.

Is lifting 280 lbs off of a 4,780 lb front axle significant to handling?

No! However what is more important is how much weight was on the axle before and after the tongue weight was/is added. 280 pounds taken off the diesel engine heavy front axle probably will help with handling. And since the truck came with a significant front to rear axle bias adding more to the rear and taking a little off the front will likely work better. Been there done that. Even though some hitches incorporate both into the hitch, sway mitigation/control is not weight distribution and you might still want to check into a sway system.


As to the receiver it should say somewhere on it what it is rated for both max tongue dead weight and max weight using a WD hitch system. I suspect the 1500 pounds is with a WD hitch. If you want to go to the incredibly safe side Tork Lift makes an aftermarket receiver rated up to 30,000 pounds towing and 3000 tongue weight.

Load the trailer so that you have approximately 15 percent of the total weight on the tongue. That tows very well and helps combat sway. Too little tongue weight can aggravate a sway situation.

With the trailer, you still have plenty of rear axle capacity so don't be afraid to add a little more tongue weight. And the Cummins is a towing beast so you will never run out of power towing your trailer.

APT wrote:
Your receiver is rating for something like 1500 pounds without WDH. I doubt that weight will cause much handling issues. 11% TW is a bit light for stability/handling so sway control may be helpful or just change in loading.

Interesting that it felt slightly better driving without the water, which resulted in the 12.4% tongue weight vs. the 11% tongue weight when carrying the water.

Thank you for the feedback above.

Regarding:

mkirsch wrote:
Make sure the receiver is rated for the weight, and the shank/ball combo is rated for the weight. I've noticed that most camping stores and places like Walmart only sell 5000-6000lb rated shanks, which isn't enough for this trailer.

The receiver is the factory Class V receiver, and the shank/ball combo is rated for 1,500 lb tongue weight and 12,500 lb gross trailer weight.

Your receiver is rating for something like 1500 pounds without WDH. I doubt that weight will cause much handling issues. 11% TW is a bit light for stability/handling so sway control may be helpful or just change in loading.

my understanding.. any trailer over 6,000 pounds total weight .. needs a WDH.

for truck hitch and frame.. prevents the jacking at the receiver .. over bumps and uneven roads...

It's a new RAM 2500 so the receiver darn well better be up to the task. In years past manufacturers put underrated receivers on heavy duty pickups, but both Ford and GM put decently-rated receivers on their big pickups now. I'd imagine Ram would follow suit.

How does it handle? You've clearly driven it, so if you don't feel like it is handling poorly, then it probably isn't. Even so, WD wouldn't hurt, and neither will some sway control, just in case. But it would be optional.

Make sure the receiver is rated for the weight, and the shank/ball combo is rated for the weight. I've noticed that most camping stores and places like Walmart only sell 5000-6000lb rated shanks, which isn't enough for this trailer.

I've trailered a couple of tractors with my truck that took much more off the front wheels than 270lbs and the rig never felt like it was going to be a problem.

What does your owner's manual and/or hitch say on it? I believe in Weight Distributing Hitches.

Most receivers have a max dead weight rating of 500 lbs, so if your tongue weight
is over 500 lbs, then a WD Hitch system is required...or if you wish to keep
within the receivers ratings

I personally believe in WDH's. they help the truck handle the tt better and help cut down on sway.