When is weight distribution needed?
I'm not trying to stir the pot (well, ok - maybe a little) but my question is serious... In the old days the hitches/trucks required WD and Sway control for over 5k lbs... then we went to 2.5" hitch...
Forum Discussion
Hannibal wrote::R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R:R::R:Huntindog wrote:otrfun wrote:I will add, that a lot of people have no clue as how to properly setup a WD hitch to get the maximum benefit. This is obvious just observing rolling trainwrecks waiting to happen going down the highway..... And those that do not want to use a WD hitch just don't understand what they are missing.
IMO a lot of folks have handling/sway problems, don't bother (or don't know how) to check their tongue weight percentage, and purchase/use a WDH (and anti-sway) as a band-aid fix.
With 15% tongue weight (bumper-pull) you shouldn't have any handling/sway problems with any vehicle. Many 1/2-ton trucks must use a WDH to because of their limited rear axle capacity (which ends up off-loading weight from the front axle), not because they inherently need a WDH/anti-sway to prevent handling/sway issues.
We towed a 35', 10k bumper pull TT (with 14% tongue weight--1,400 lbs., and no WDH) with our '16 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins cross-country many times. Towed like a dream, even with 35 mph sidewinds. All you felt was one push/pull with every wind gust. When an 18-wheeler passed too close, again, just one push/pull, and that was it. Zero sway--completely stable.
The thing about towing setups is that there are many opinions on just what level of performance is acceptable to each individual.
I am anal about it. It starts with proper TW, Tire pressures etc, and ends with a properly setup WD hitch.... Because I do not settle for good enough,,,, I want it to be the best it can be. There have been a couple of times I was glad I was so particular.
It is a lot like seatbelts. One can drive millions of miles and not need them (does that make one a fool for using them?) or have a wreck going around the block.... and be glad you were using them.
That or some of us have been towing trailers of various types and sizes for over 40 years and make our choices based on experience with and without WD. I have a Reese HP trunnion style and an Equalizer 4-point in the shed ready to use. I’ve always preferred a simple, short ballmount when possible.
