CatonsvilleFred wrote:
The wording of this implies to me that Nissan *thinks* that a WD hitch effectively distributes the tongue weight in a manner that would allow for increased tongue weight over what would be allowed WITHOUT a WD system. This is contrary to what I have read here and in other threads - but we really need to get inside the heads of the folks at Nissan who put a tongue weight spec inside of the owner's manual without any obvious justification.
I fully agree with Nissan, and would challenge anyone here that states otherwise.
The max ultimate tongue weight should be determined by leftover payload (payload - cargo = available tongue). On a 3500 class van, this could be something ridiculous like 2000 lbs!
Whether or not you can achieve that max number, is dictated by your GAWRs and safe front-rear axle weight distribution. In other words, even if you're within rear GAWR, you don't want a 25/75 front to rear distribution.
This is where a WD hitch comes in. It won't change your max ultimate tongue weight, but rather, it alters HOW that tongue weight is loaded between the F and R axles.
Keep in mind, in the DOT world, there's no such thing as "tongue weight". It's not a legally enforced weight. All they care about is axle and tire limits. "Tongue weight", is a dummy consumer spec to help non-pro drivers stay within their axle limits.
