WDH opinions plz

I use to pull a boat without WDH and sway bars but it towed like you say, much different than a TT (box). I have had a 23ft and now a 30ft TT and I would not tow either one without a WDH and sway system. Even with an Equalizer system, I still have found some swat when passing or being passed by some trucks, not all. I am a stickler for safety when towing as I am not the only one on the road.I tow with a Ford F150 with tow package and feel very comfortable with my setup. Hope this helps, remember there is no substitute for experience.

Most receivers have two limits, like mine:



So the receiver may fail over its rating. Handling is often affected at or below the receiver limit as well. Adding weight behind the rear axle acts as as level with the rear axle being a fulcrum. This can overload the rear axle and reduce front axle weight. Lower weight on the wheels that turn becomes less stable at some point.

IMO for half ton pickups 400-500 pounds is the point at which WDH should be used, a bit lower than what the receivers on them are rated and my casual observation of owners using them.

Take a look at this thread.

I to have a 21ft boat that I tow. Aside from the profile, something to keep in mind is where the weight on a boat trailer is placed. All of the weight on a boat is at the rear. The trailer axles are at the rear to support the weight.
With most TT, the weight is more balanced. Most TT axles are center mounted with the weight being somewhat balanced on each side.

That question has been asked many times. GM, who makes quite a few pickups, has reduced their requirements for weight distributing hitches greatly. Their 2500/3500 pickups hardly ever "require" one. On the other hand, vehicles that need to unload part of the weight off their rear axle can really benefit from one. This is especially true of vehicles that are operated at or near their payload capacity.

Steve 911 wrote:
---Is a WDH and anti sway devise start to be considered for safety?

What is the tongue weight and what are you towing with?

Ron

I don't think he is towing, just asking.

"...... I was just thinking about it because I saw a good size TT being pulled by a pick up truck that just used a standard class 3 hitch....."

I'm still towing my boat but considering jumping into the TT world. I just wanted bring up the subject to encourage conversation on the subject. I'm trying to learn what I can while looking at TT's and TV's. thanks to all who commented.
Steve

Boats have lower % of TW compared to TTs, about 7-9% vs. 12-15%. They also have a lot better aerodynamics, front and side. So a 6k pound boat with only 500 pounds of TW will tow far easier than a 6k pound TT with 800 pounds of TW. Considering the cost of a TV and an RV, and extra $450-2500 for a quality WDH should be including in the budget.

WDH have been around for many years. The thread I linked above provides some very good discussion.

APT hit all the right points... unless you are going to get something small like an r-pod that wieghs 2000 pds get one.

reasons to get one:
more comfortable tow experiance
safer tow experiance
less wear on the TV

reason not to get one:
cost

i can't see cost out weighing the reasons to get one

What excess wear would towing a trailer with 500 pounds of tongue weight cause on a tow vehicle designed for 1,000 pounds of tongue weight?

More comfortable? Not unless something is wrong or out of balance.

Safer? The manufacturers know what is safe and state their requirements clearly. Hitches are not the way to cure an ill handling unbalanced trailer.

Cost? Not a factor at all. If you need one, you need one. If you think that any hitch is going to turn an underpowered undersprung tow vehicle into a super towing machine, you will be disappointed.

Read some of the many weight distributing threads on here and you will discover that no hitch is perfect and none will cure all towing problems.