This has been a long and fruitful string. The amount of knowledge I have gained is amazing. But when it comes to definitions I wonder if we should defer not to ourselves but to those who design and create these systems. I suggest we contact a number of manufacturers and see how THIER engineers describe it. Especially if it is going to be locked down in a forum for the world to see.
It would be my pleasure to start sending emails and try to direct these companies to assist us in a true definition. Unless of course this is what Ron does with his engineering degree.
PS: when Ron comes back I am going to create post asking how dual cam anti-sway works.
Hi Batmovan,
Here is a copy of a thread started by drwleggett on 1/27/2002. Do you prefer any of them to any of the ones proposed so far in this thread?:
It has always been my assumption that a weight distributing hitch equally distributes tongue weight between both the tow vehicle and the trailer. This came from talking with RV sales and service folks and the following sources.
Trailer Life quote:
Also known as an ‘equalizing’ hitch, this category includes hitch systems that utilize spring bars that can be placed under tension to distribute a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer's axles.
http://www.trailerlife.com/rvtech/glossary.cfm#weightdistributinghitch
Reese quote:
Rather than merely supporting the trailer tongue weight (TW), weight distributing hitches apply leverage between the towing vehicle and trailer causing the TW to be carried by all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer.
http://www.reeseprod.com/Wt%20Dist%20Systems.htm
However, in reading posts, there is an alternate view expressed that weight is distributed to ONLY the tow vehicle. I’ve also come across the following sources.
Equal-i-zer quote:
The Equal-i-zer transfers the trailer's tongue-weight evenly to all the axles of the tow vehicle.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/faq.html
Hitch-Web quote:
A Weight Distributing Hitch is a ballmount with a set of bars that attach to it, which plugs into your 2" square under vehicle receiver and redistributes the tongue weight (hitch weight) of your trailer. Many vehicles can't carry the full tongue weight of a given trailer, and need some of the tongue weight transferred through the frame and pushing down on the front wheels.
http://www.hitch-web.com/wd.asp
So, who is right? Are both right, since it might depend on the particular type of weight distributing hitch one is using? If so, how do you tell the difference? Or is the weight distribution principle the same no matter what hitch or setup is used?
I’ve only towed with a dead weight setup, so I don’t have any personal experience in this area. I’m just trying to make sure I understand the WD principle correctly. Thanks in advance for any and all replies including examples to help clarify this issue.
Wes
98 GMC Suburban K1500 4x4
02 Shadow Cruiser Fun Finder T-160
Notice the 1st definition by Trailer Life says "portion of the trailers hitch weight", the second by Reese says "tongue weight is carried by all axles", and the Hitch-Web definition calls tongue weight and hitch weight the same thing. Very interesting isn't it?????
