Why do I need WD?

With a properly setup WD Hitch and sized correctly, that nose dive
of the trailer (tongue or PIN) will drive lots of weight onto the TV's
rear axle

Ben,

Think through your answer thoroughly. If the tow vehicle and the trailer are properly set up and the driver wants to stop, the TT brakes stop the TT, the TV brakes stop the TV and if the TT brakes slightly lead the TV brakes the nose dive stuff you talk about will not happen as the trailer is stopping stronger and faster than the TV. It is simple to understand since the TT is actually stopping first and faster it is not nose diving the rear of the TV and raising the front TV axle.

But again, if the manufacturer has done extensive testing and does not recommend a WD function or only a minimal WD function when towing with their trucks, then why not follow their advice. They do the testing and we do the driving. I am sure if it was not safe the manufacturer's would not recommend it.

As to loads in a pickup, the 4000 pounds or so that a one ton can handle before going over payload or gross is so much more than the usual tongue weight that it is almost a non issue. I suspect that is one reason that WD is not recommended as well as the fact that the front axles are very heavy on most pickups empty. And the trucks are designed to carry the load in the rear --loading the rear axle. I speak from experience as I have experimented with WD and just towing on the ball and there is no difference, in fact it handles slightly better on the ball because it is loading the rear axle. The think that the only thing a WD hitch will help with in braking is that about 20 percent of the redistributed tongue weight using WD is added to the trailer axles and that weight could add some traction to the tires when braking. I suspect it is a minimal value and depends on the tires, brakes, and pavement conditions how much it really helps. If the trailer is towed level there is no nose dive even if the trailer brakes do not lead the tow vehicle's brakes. If the tow vehicle nose dives in hard braking then that would tend to raise the rear of the TV not lower it and that would raise the tongue and work against any trailer nose diving. It has nothing to do with a WD hitch. In hard braking the bigger concern is keeping the trailer straight and not getting into a jack knief situation. Again, if the trailer brakes lead the TV brakes this should not happen. WD has nothing to do with sway even though some hitches incorporate both. Sway is a completely separate issue from WD. I have never advocated that a sway feature is not important.