I am sure this has been a well versed topic however would like to hear some comments on why is a weight distribution hitch necessary. I have a 21 foot lightweight trailer and tows pretty good with just a sway bar. I an wondering why would one need this? I can see this device on larger heavier trailers where the back of the TV drops down and leveling is necessary.. but on the smaller trailers why ???

Depends what you are towing it with. An F350 dually won't know it's there. A Pathfinder will struggle....

I think a WDH is a crutch when you don't have enough TV to do the job.

JCR-1 wrote:I am sure this has been a well versed topic however would like to hear some comments on why is a weight distribution hitch necessary. I have a 21 foot lightweight trailer and tows pretty good with just a sway bar. I an wondering why would one need this? I can see this device on larger heavier trailers where the back of the TV drops down and leveling is necessary.. but on the smaller trailers why ???Our Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS measures 22' 6" coupler to bumper, averages ~ 4700 lbs loaded & ready to camp with an average gross tongue weight of ~ 625 lbs. Without weight distribution all that tongue weight is bearing down on the far rear of my 1/2 ton Silverado, unduly unloading the front steer axle - NO WAY I'd tow without a properly sized & adjusted weight distribution system. The back of the truck "dropping down" isn't the issue, it's merely a symptom of the real issue - unloading of the front steer axle. Do yourself a favour and invest in a properly sized WD system which will restore weight to that front steer axle where it belongs. :B

The function of a WD Hitch is to "distribute weight". You drop your TT on the hitch and the weight on the back axle increases. The back of the TV goes down, the front of the TV goes up.When this happens, rear axle weight increases and front axle weight decreases, this is no big deal until you add enough weight to effect steering and braking on the front end.The WD Hitch torsion bars push up against the tongue weight and redistribute the weight to the front axle and the TT axle to restore some of the steering and breaking control.My F-150 barely notices my pop up but sags when the TT is added.It is your choice but you will notice when you need one.Good luck

Weight distributing hitches became popular back in the day when we towed with softly sprung sedans and station wagons. Now, everyone thinks they need one if the rear suspension on their pickup drops an inch or so when towing a lightweight trailer. GM disagrees and you can verify this in any late model GM pickup owner's manual. Comparing what is "required" for towing with Grandpa's '58 Buick to what a modern pickup needs is the ultimate apples and oranges. We still have lots of WD hitch fans and of course the RV dealers like to pick up an easy couple hundred dollars on the deal. I buy an adequate tow vehicle and leave the fancy hitches on the dealer's shelves.

Weight distribution hitch | Good Sam Community

gmw_photos
Explorer
Sep 06, 2017
To the OP: tow your trailer 500 miles to maybe 1000 miles without WD. Then install it, carefully follow the setup procedures, verify your adjustments at a CAT scale, then go pull it another 1000 miles over a variety of roads.

Then come back and tell us what you think.
stevemorris
Explorer
Sep 06, 2017
rbpru wrote:
Let's see; the TT manufacturer recommends a WD hitch hitch, the TV manufacturer recommends a WD hitch, the vast majority of TT owners use a WD hitch, someone on an RV board thinks it it is not a good idea.

Hmmmm what should I do.

my thoughts exactly. without wdh we would all be towing tent trailers
Timtation
Explorer
Sep 06, 2017
Personal experience: Light weight trailer, single axle always set the hitches to the least transfer link. Decided not to connect on return home trip. Hot day and all the expansion joints were squeezed. The harmonic of the trailer axle to drive axle versus the expansion joint spacing gave us at least a one hundred mile long surfing experience. Were the wds needed for hitch weight, no but they sure made a difference in apparent wheel base.
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 05, 2017
rbpru wrote:
Hmmmm what should I do.

Disregard all those specifications and ask people who have no investment in your decision what to do. Listen to people repeating the same old same old advice that may or may not be outdated and invalid. But you "Heard it on the Internet, so it must be true."
rbpru
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2017
Let's see; the TT manufacturer recommends a WD hitch hitch, the TV manufacturer recommends a WD hitch, the vast majority of TT owners use a WD hitch, someone on an RV board thinks it it is not a good idea.

Hmmmm what should I do.
AmericalVette
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
I have an F350, but still use my WD hitch for its sway control capabilities. Yes, the truck has 'trailer-sway-control' but that kicks in once sway has started. I just feel better being able to prevent it in the first place. I truly appreciated it when I got caught on the Interstate with 70 mph cross winds. To each his own.
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
DanNJanice wrote:

Interesting, I have never been a GMC person but based on those ratings I may have to start looking at them. I based my statement on Ford's ratings, which I assumed would at least be "in the ballpark" with the other brands. Seems that GMC is missing a major selling point in their advertising.

At one time, the GM hitches were notoriously flimsy and they decided to do something about it. This was several years ago. We are the winners.
DanNJanice
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
TomG2 wrote:
DanNJanice wrote:

....... My trailer has a tongue weight of 1200lbs, AFAIK no factory hitch is rated to carry that without a WDH.
WDH hitches also tend to stabilize the handling and ride of trailer/truck combo.

AFAIK, there are thousands of GM HD models out there.

From the GM owner's manual:

2500/3500 Standard Box Weight-Carrying or Weight-Distributing 680 kg (1,500 lb)

2500/3500 Long Box Weight-Carrying or Weight-Distributing 907 kg (2,000 lb)

Interesting, I have never been a GMC person but based on those ratings I may have to start looking at them. I based my statement on Ford's ratings, which I assumed would at least be "in the ballpark" with the other brands. Seems that GMC is missing a major selling point in their advertising. Below are Ford's numbers from 2015 (which I have).
JCR-1
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
I also noticed that when you add the WDH you are adding about 100 pounds extra weight more to the tongue .
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 04, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
..............
Sure, if I were still towing a 2500 lb popup with an average gross tongue weight of 300 lbs I wouldn't bother, for anything else I wouldn't even consider towing without weight distribution.

And you accuse me of making blanket statements. You make one and then start making exceptions. Both GM and Ford have drastically reduced their requirements for front axle weight restoration. Not so, the "Experts" on here. If front axle restoration is such a big deal, why don't they tie some concrete blocks to the front bumper of the same pickup when it has the gasoline engine instead of the diesel? GM says not to worry about front axle weight replacement on their 2500HD modela, but what do they know?

Hitch ratings are a totally different thing and I am disappointed in the hitch rating of my new Ford. There is no reason to equip a pickup that has a 2,300 pound payload with a hitch that is only good for carrying 500 pounds. Fortunately, I have a small travel trailer that I purchased for short trips that is under that limit. When I towed a trailer with 900 pounds tongue weight, I used a 2500HD. Neither combination requires a WD hitch. According to Ford or GM, that is.