Just got my tongue weighed... :-) and found that I am close to the "bar rating" of the WD hitch. So the question is ... If you are at / near the rating boundary for your WD hitch (bars rated for 600lbs), is it better to move to the next rating (typically 800lbs) or will the significant difference become an issue in terms of "springiness" of the heavier bars? Will the lighter bar be a "safety" issue?

budwich wrote:Just got my tongue weighed... :-) and found that I am close to the "bar rating" of the WD hitch. So the question is ... If you are at / near the rating boundary for your WD hitch (bars rated for 600lbs), is it better to move to the next rating (typically 800lbs) or will the significant difference become an issue in terms of "springiness" of the heavier bars? Will the lighter bar be a "safety" issue?Bigger is not always better. Especially in this case. The bars generally need to match the load as closely as possible. They MUST bend when entering/exiting driveways or going over bumps etc.Too heavy a bar can actually damage the frame. Some manufacturers have ratings in their manuals specifying how heavy a bar can be used with different thickness frames.Now having said that, in SOME cases a slightly stronger or weaker bar can perform better. A lightly sprung TV sometimes will do better with a stronger bar, as it can somewhat make up for the TVs weak springs. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing such as air bags etc.But generally matching the bars to the TW will be the best way to go.

My tongue weight is 720 to 750 most of the time, and I use 1000# bars. I guess the general formula would tell me to go to 800# bars, but my WD dealer strongly suggested I go with 1000#. Works fine, and I'm glad I went heavier.Edit: I would be interested in trying 800# just to compare the two. As it is, I can only guess which is best...

I run a slightly heavier bar with my Reese Dual Cam system

Yeah, heavier bars. Blow the front shocks or bend the rear most axel on the trailer. A truck that has the springs capacity to carry the trailer is the best choice.

My tongue weight is only 420. I have 1000lb bars. I have weak suspension.Huntindog is right on with his reply...Had your tongue weighed??? That means nothing if weighed alone. As when you put on the ball and activate the WD, and when set properly, will take weight off the hitch. How much? Depends if set properly...Mine takes 80 lbs off the hitch and puts it on the trailer. And brings front end back to stock height...

WD Hitch ratings / boundaries | Good Sam Community

chevor
Explorer
May 16, 2014
Yeah, heavier bars. Blow the front shocks or bend the rear most axel on the trailer. A truck that has the springs capacity to carry the trailer is the best choice.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
May 16, 2014
I run a slightly heavier bar with my Reese Dual Cam system
classicdude
Explorer
May 16, 2014
My tongue weight is 720 to 750 most of the time, and I use 1000# bars. I guess the general formula would tell me to go to 800# bars, but my WD dealer strongly suggested I go with 1000#. Works fine, and I'm glad I went heavier.
Edit: I would be interested in trying 800# just to compare the two. As it is, I can only guess which is best...
Huntindog
Explorer
May 16, 2014
budwich wrote:
Just got my tongue weighed... :-) and found that I am close to the "bar rating" of the WD hitch. So the question is ... If you are at / near the rating boundary for your WD hitch (bars rated for 600lbs), is it better to move to the next rating (typically 800lbs) or will the significant difference become an issue in terms of "springiness" of the heavier bars? Will the lighter bar be a "safety" issue?
Bigger is not always better. Especially in this case. The bars generally need to match the load as closely as possible. They MUST bend when entering/exiting driveways or going over bumps etc.
Too heavy a bar can actually damage the frame. Some manufacturers have ratings in their manuals specifying how heavy a bar can be used with different thickness frames.

Now having said that, in SOME cases a slightly stronger or weaker bar can perform better. A lightly sprung TV sometimes will do better with a stronger bar, as it can somewhat make up for the TVs weak springs. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing such as air bags etc.

But generally matching the bars to the TW will be the best way to go.

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