Forum Discussion

mkenyon2's avatar
mkenyon2
Explorer
Nov 20, 2021

Do I need my WD bars just to move in the driveway?

My F150 is rated for 5,000 lbs before needing a Weight Distribution hitch, and my trailer is supposedly 4900 dry. We don't have much in there right now (not even mattresses) and it's winterized, so no water in the tank.

I should be fine just moving it around in my driveway with just the ball/hitch, right? I don't think I need the WD bars attached just to move it 10-15 feet.

46 Replies

  • We just recently moved a 35ft trailer with a 2001 Jeep Wrangler, entertaining.
    You should be fine.
  • So generally it's 5000/500 where 500 pound tongue weight is the more important number for a travel trailer. You're probably over by 2-300 pounds but so long as you don't drop the trailer into a ditch you're not going to experience dynamic forces anywhere near what the engineering spec is designed for and so you'll be fine. The engineers speced that 500 pound limit for a trailer hitting a large pothole at highway speeds.
  • If your only moving it around to position there should be no need