Travel trailer / tow vehicle combo question
Looking at a possible purchase and any input from the group Trailer is a Grand Design xls 22 rbe 4997 dry weight 498 hitch weight 6500 gvrw 26 ft long Looking to pull it with 2018 Ford ...
Forum Discussion
BarneyS wrote:
Valhalla,
What do you think happens when you draw up the chains and apply WD to the hitch? Do they not pull down on the A frame? If so, where does that "pulling down" force go if not back to the trailer axles?
As I said, the Hitch Weight is the combined result of the two forces. It's already accounted for.
In addition you posted:
There is an upward force on the socket the ball goes into and and a downward force there the bar is connect at the back of the "A" frame. The addition of those two forces (subtraction in reality) is the hitch weight as the result is the force pushing down on the truck. . (my bold)
The thing you are forgetting in your description is you are not accounting for the force (weight) leveraged off of the front axle when the trailer tongue is dropped on the ball. Where do you think that weight goes?
Barney
The leverage from a non-WD hitch transfers weight from the front axle to the rear axle of the truck. It doesn't transfer to or away from the trailer.
Where you are getting confused is WD Hitches typically carry higher hitch weights...of course if you increase the hitch weight, it takes load off the trailer axles (all else being the same).
