Use a weight distribution hitch or not?
My question is pretty easy. I bought my Sportsmen used and the former owner let me his Equal-i-zer weight distribution hitch for free with the trailer. It's not the new lightweight 400 tongue/4K trail...
Forum Discussion
vlop,
I checked Dodge's website and the poster who stated your van is limited to 3600lbs max tow rating is correct. What is the GVWR of your trailer (Gross Vehcile Weight Rating), as that is the more realistic weight with all contents in the trailer, fully loaded ready for a weekend camping trip.
If your at 2300lbs "dry" weight, I would guess loaded up with a 16' trailer you will be closer to 3K or mabye north of 3K, or getting pretty close to your maximum tow rating.
Now, I know at one time this was the case for minivans, that you DO NOT subtract the weight of cargo in the van from the weight rating as you would from payload in a pickup truck, but that may have changed.
Honestly if your asking a brand new minivan to pull a travel trailer, even a small one of this size, you better have the heavy duty tow package from Dodge AND use a WDH. I would agree you don't need the one that came with the trailer,, if those weights you mentioned for the WDH are accurate. YOu could go with a lower rated WDH (which should be lighter as the bars would be smaller diameter, the hitch shank and head should be lighter as well, ETC and it would not be anywhere ner 90 lbs, if that is an accurate weight as well.
The Reese Trunion bar set-up I have for my 23' 6K GVWR Layton, the hitch head is maybe 20-30lbs tops and the bars, maybe 5-10 lbs each, so maybe 50lbs total? I think my set-up would even be overkill for your small trailer so I'd seek other options.
however, with that said, my opinion is you DO need a WDH, not just for the weight transfer, but they also DO help towing stability greatly, especially high wind areas. Adding sway control helps even more as you mentioned.
You will get tons of responses on this subject, from "your fine" to "you need a 3/4 ton truck to pull your 16' camper". In my personal opinion, and it's just that mind you, a rule I like to use is "The trailer's GVWR should be no more than 80% of the vehciles tow rating." Again, many will disagree and that's OK, we're all entitled to our own opinions AND we can stay civil here and respectfully disagree. I find when using that rule I have a comfortable towing experience "no white knuckeling" that you might find when you approach the limits of the vehicle's tow rating.
A perfect example is this: My 2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer with the Heavy Duty Tow package is rated to tow 6900 lbs. My trailer has a 6K GVWR so I'm currently at 87% of my tow rating with my trailer's GVWR, and honestly, I would not want any more behind my X than I currently have with the 23' Layton. It's not white knuckling at all, but fully loaded with camping gear, firewood, and my family of 4 it's working it hard, no doubt about it. I know the trailer is back there.
Please let us know what the GVWR of your trailer is, I'm curious to know that number.
Good luck.
-G
I checked Dodge's website and the poster who stated your van is limited to 3600lbs max tow rating is correct. What is the GVWR of your trailer (Gross Vehcile Weight Rating), as that is the more realistic weight with all contents in the trailer, fully loaded ready for a weekend camping trip.
If your at 2300lbs "dry" weight, I would guess loaded up with a 16' trailer you will be closer to 3K or mabye north of 3K, or getting pretty close to your maximum tow rating.
Now, I know at one time this was the case for minivans, that you DO NOT subtract the weight of cargo in the van from the weight rating as you would from payload in a pickup truck, but that may have changed.
Honestly if your asking a brand new minivan to pull a travel trailer, even a small one of this size, you better have the heavy duty tow package from Dodge AND use a WDH. I would agree you don't need the one that came with the trailer,, if those weights you mentioned for the WDH are accurate. YOu could go with a lower rated WDH (which should be lighter as the bars would be smaller diameter, the hitch shank and head should be lighter as well, ETC and it would not be anywhere ner 90 lbs, if that is an accurate weight as well.
The Reese Trunion bar set-up I have for my 23' 6K GVWR Layton, the hitch head is maybe 20-30lbs tops and the bars, maybe 5-10 lbs each, so maybe 50lbs total? I think my set-up would even be overkill for your small trailer so I'd seek other options.
however, with that said, my opinion is you DO need a WDH, not just for the weight transfer, but they also DO help towing stability greatly, especially high wind areas. Adding sway control helps even more as you mentioned.
You will get tons of responses on this subject, from "your fine" to "you need a 3/4 ton truck to pull your 16' camper". In my personal opinion, and it's just that mind you, a rule I like to use is "The trailer's GVWR should be no more than 80% of the vehciles tow rating." Again, many will disagree and that's OK, we're all entitled to our own opinions AND we can stay civil here and respectfully disagree. I find when using that rule I have a comfortable towing experience "no white knuckeling" that you might find when you approach the limits of the vehicle's tow rating.
A perfect example is this: My 2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer with the Heavy Duty Tow package is rated to tow 6900 lbs. My trailer has a 6K GVWR so I'm currently at 87% of my tow rating with my trailer's GVWR, and honestly, I would not want any more behind my X than I currently have with the 23' Layton. It's not white knuckling at all, but fully loaded with camping gear, firewood, and my family of 4 it's working it hard, no doubt about it. I know the trailer is back there.
Please let us know what the GVWR of your trailer is, I'm curious to know that number.
Good luck.
-G
