Mike Up wrote:
Whether you use a WDH or a weight bearing weight, the tongue weight is the same on the hitch.
Actually Mike, this is not true. Why? Because the weight of the weight distributing hardware now rests on the hitch with much of it right near the ball so virtually none of that weight is carried by the trailer axle. Many of these WDH systems weigh 80-100#, quite an increase in tongue weight when one is already limited to 500# on the typical class III hitch that comes factory installed. Yes, some aftermarket receivers do have different ratings for a WDH, but that doesn't mean the vehicle itself will handle that weight.
A simple ball mount with ball is around 10#. If one adds on a 15# sway control bar, it is still a savings of 50#+ of tongue weight over the lightest WHD with sway control. If the tongue weight of a trailer is already north of 450# loaded, a WDH on a class III hitch may not appropriate depending on whether the vehicle manufacturer has a different rating for WDH.
