Why do I need WD?

06Fargo wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
I didn't read every response since my first post on this thread, but has anyone ever considered that when the tail end of your vehicle drops a couple inches because of a trailer being hitched, it causes the back to lower ..... which causes the front to incline ...... Do you know what that does to your headlights and how bright and glaring your headlights become when that happens to on-comming traffic? Even a slight rise or lower on the headlight beam will cause your headlights to beam at a different angle, which could be extreamly dangerous for on-comming traffic. WD helps keep the vehicle LEVEL, so your headlights are not shinning at the tops of trees ....

It's just something to think about!

Which begs the question - why would you design a truck made to haul cargo and tow that does not have easily adjustable headlights to compensate for changes in rear ride height loaded / empty?

6-7-8 speed transmissions, ABS disc brakes, high tech gas and diesel engines, 37 way adjustable leather air conditioned seats, and headlights that point in people's eyes when you put a load on the truck. :h

BMW has self adjusting headlight for their cars but we can't figure out how to put them on our trucks. :S

DutchmenSport wrote:
I didn't read every response since my first post on this thread, but has anyone ever considered that when the tail end of your vehicle drops a couple inches because of a trailer being hitched, it causes the back to lower ..... which causes the front to incline ...... Do you know what that does to your headlights and how bright and glaring your headlights become when that happens to on-comming traffic? Even a slight rise or lower on the headlight beam will cause your headlights to beam at a different angle, which could be extreamly dangerous for on-comming traffic. WD helps keep the vehicle LEVEL, so your headlights are not shinning at the tops of trees ....

It's just something to think about!

Which begs the question - why would you design a truck made to haul cargo and tow that does not have easily adjustable headlights to compensate for changes in rear ride height loaded / empty?

6-7-8 speed transmissions, ABS disc brakes, high tech gas and diesel engines, 37 way adjustable leather air conditioned seats, and headlights that point in people's eyes when you put a load on the truck. :h

DutchmenSport wrote:
I didn't read every response since my first post on this thread, but has anyone ever considered that when the tail end of your vehicle drops a couple inches because of a trailer being hitched, it causes the back to lower ..... which causes the front to incline ...... ......snip...........

Good point and that is why I used to know how many turns to adjust my headlights up or down depending on whether I had my truck camper mounted or not. Not nearly as much change with my current truck and trailer even without WD.

I didn't read every response since my first post on this thread, but has anyone ever considered that when the tail end of your vehicle drops a couple inches because of a trailer being hitched, it causes the back to lower ..... which causes the front to incline ...... Do you know what that does to your headlights and how bright and glaring your headlights become when that happens to on-comming traffic? Even a slight rise or lower on the headlight beam will cause your headlights to beam at a different angle, which could be extreamly dangerous for on-comming traffic. WD helps keep the vehicle LEVEL, so your headlights are not shinning at the tops of trees ....

It's just something to think about!

I also think your right about the tires blowing. I have had every make and model of tire (mostly cheap junk) on my same trailer over 25 years. I blew one tire and I think it went low from a nail and blew. If my trailer was really balanced that would pretty much on confirm your theory on my trailer.

Turtle,

Thanks again. I appreciate your comments. My experience is only what I know. But, I suspect it is transferable to most travel trailers with two or more axles. I also have re-evaluated my positon on GoodYear Marathons ST tires being total Chinese junk that has been so much of the sentiment about those tires on these forums. After a GYM failure on my trailer (sitting, not moving), I drank the KoolAid when I first got here but then began to realize that there were a lot more Marathons on the road than most other brands and that any problems would be reported in greater numbers than for those tire manufacturer's that have far less of their tires on the trailers and fifth wheels. It would be nice to find a statistical chart that relates tire failures in the first two years of use as a percentage of tire failures not as a total number. That way using statistical analysis a consumer could determine the failure rate and make a purchase from that information. I understand Les Schwab has some sort of a chart relating tires issues but I am not sure how comprehensive it it nor how long that data is tracked in years of service nor what constitutes a failure. Once they showed me the chart but the customer service rep was not able to relate to me how the numbers were derrived.

The RV industry is rebounding and apparently nicely from the recession and the RV sales, pickup trucks, hitches, and ST tires are probably all coming back as well. I am glad to see this industry making progress and returning. We lost companies in the last five years and if some return that would be good. A nice American made RV ST tire would be a great addition to the growing list of re-bound options available to RVers.

I like this forum and have learned a lot. There are some very sharp folks on the forums and some that only parrot the same old stuff over and over because it has always been that way. As Lee Iacocca once said it is important to be able to determine the difference between a cup of cr*p and a cup of ice cream.

nevadanick wrote:
I started using my wd bars with no tension just so i dont have to listen to the aknow it alls when i stop somewhere. Now if i could just disguise my doubles so they looked like one trailer i could shut up those guys that feel the need to tell me i am breaking the law or that i am unsafe.

That's funny.

cwboyscooby wrote:
...snip...........

Is this industry just huge on WD Hitches? I never see them on boat or cargo trailers in the same weight class? I would understand if I were pulling this with a half ton, or if the trailer weighed 10k+, but I really don't see that I need it. Am I missing something?

There are those on here that have a vested interest in them, judging by some of their responses. The dealers don't mind making a few bucks selling them either. They were very necessary back when people towed with sedans and station wagons. I have owned and used WD hitches when I needed them. Scales and manufacturer's information will help you decide.

cwboyscooby wrote:
I have had several people telling me that towing my toy hauler without a weight distribution hitch is unsafe. I Don't get it?

I have a 26' Cargo trailer / Toy Hauler conversion that only weighs about 7000 fully loaded (rarely is it fully loaded). The weight is distributed properly, and I have never had any sway at all (other than a bit when hit with wind gusts, but it straightens right up).

She stays perfectly straight under heavy braking, and has never caused any problems.

My F-350 SRW only squats abut 2.5" when I hook her up, and the front end doesn't noticeably rise at all.

Is this industry just huge on WD Hitches? I never see them on boat or cargo trailers in the same weight class? I would understand if I were pulling this with a half ton, or if the trailer weighed 10k+, but I really don't see that I need it. Am I missing something?

To the original post: Yes WD hitch configurations/hoopla is a big industry. If you don't need to re-distribute weight from the rear axle of your pickup to the steer axle and trailer axles no you are not missing anything.

jmtandem your post gave me a lot to think about.

I always wanted to put all 4 tires of my trailer on some race scales. I have access to them, just not the time.

I also think your right about the tires blowing. I have had every make and model of tire (mostly cheap junk) on my same trailer over 25 years. I blew one tire and I think it went low from a nail and blew. If my trailer was really balanced that would pretty much on confirm your theory on my trailer.

Maybe one of these days I will check that out.

I started using my wd bars with no tension just so i dont have to listen to the aknow it alls when i stop somewhere. Now if i could just disguise my doubles so they looked like one trailer i could shut up those guys that feel the need to tell me i am breaking the law or that i am unsafe.