Weight distribution hitch needed?

[Titania]

We pick up our first TT this Saturday! We've bought a 2015 Palomini 179 BHS (3839 GVWR) and will tow it with a Toyota Tundra SR5 truck (tows 10,000 lbs). The dealer says no weight distribution hitch or sway bar for our truck/camper combo. I'm inclined to believe him since they sell both. It's hard to fathom a salesman who doesn't want that extra bit of money.

What do you think? Are we crazy if we don't get a weight distribution hitch or sway bar? Or would they just be overkill?

Thanks for any input!

[AJR]

If nothing else, add a friction sway control. Reese makes a good one.

[AH64ID]

Trusting a salesman is the first step down the wrong road.

That being said you may not absoloutly NEED one, but one is worth the time and money. Even with my 9K lb TT I dont NEED one, but I sure do enjoy it!

Having towed light TT's on a well setup 1 Ton SRW with and without WDH I can vouch for the benefits, and trust me they are all benefits.

The CG and design of a TT is different than a similar length and weight cargo or flatbed trailer, and that is where the benefits of a WDH come into play.

[jffnkrn]

My experience and doesn't mean I am an expert. Towing for over 18 years and still learning. Had TT in the past and always, always had Eight distribution and Sway control. Chain type draw-tight and also Equalizer II. I would swear by the equalizer II. It is not only weight distribution but also sway control. Weather you have a TT that is perfect weight for the tow vehicle, you may be at max or near capacity or capacities at times. This in addition to windy conditions, passing large vehicles etc, you will be happy with a weight distribution / sway control. My experience, Equalizer II was the best money I spent. you will spend about $400 to $500 depending on the unit, size etc. Follow the directions, do it yourself or make sure dealer installer is doing the measurements etc all correct. Go onto the Equalizer II website, watch the video and decide. Talk to a few folks, Again, for me the equalizer was easy to install, use and functioned very well. Had about 28 or so thousand miles on it. Do your research, talk to people and decide. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[Titania]

So, we towed it home (2.5 hrs away from dealer) without any special hitch. It did ok, but we're going to take the majority's advice and invest in a WDH with sway control for a better towing experience in the near future. We had essentially made that decision before buying on Saturday. The dealer was just so reluctant to sell us a WDH hitch. Odd. You'd think that they would want the money.

[mileshuff]

While it may not be 'required' you'll find the towing experience much better with a WDH. It will handle better. You will want anti-sway. Greatly helps when towing in wind and when semi's pass. If you go with the Equalizer brand WDH hitch it includes built in anti-sway. These types of WDH's do not require any separate anti-sway devices which often must be disconnected when backing.

[ol__grouch]

I have several different hitches depending on vehicles. My truck requires an 8 inch drop as it's a pretty heft truck. That ones has never needed an equalizer hitch. I do have one and it will work as a regular hitch, albeit a really heavy one, if you don't need to hook up the equalizer bars. I used to tow a car trailer with an '88 S-10 pickup and used the equalizer bars. The function of the equalizer is to spread the weight from the back to the front of the vehicle.

Keep in mind that maximum weights for towing are done on paper and when a prototype is built, everything is balanced by experienced people who distribute the weight properly. Load your trailer with the weight too much in front or back, and your towing experience will be....interesting.

I was heading down the road once and a kid was heading to the University with a U-Haul trailer. I don't know what was in the trailer but all the weight was in the nose and the tongue was nearly dragging and the front of the Blazer was aimed up. I'll bet steering was lots of fun with that set up. I also noticed the hitch receiver was actually bending every time he hit a bump. Had one bolt sheared he would have been in a world of hurt.

One last thing. Make CERTAIN your equalizer bar clamps will fit on the trailer. Mine have fit on every trailer I've used them on with one exception. I didn't find that out until I was loading the trailer 90 miles from home. Fortunately the shop I was at had a smoke wrench (cutting torch) and it got me home where I could clean the cut and brace it for strength.

[BigSur2]

IMHO....a WDH is a great investment. I will add protection for you and your family, improve your overall ride, etc. You may not necessariy absolutely NEED one with your combo, but I think you would see and feel the benefits. JMHO

[ncrowley]

You will probably be fine without a weight distribution hitch but most of us err on the side of caution. I would get both a weight distribution hitch with an anti-sway device.

[John___Angela]

Although this thread is about a truck and trailer keep in mind that some SUV's don't allow use of a WDH. VW Toureag for example. Right in the manual. I suspect it has to do with unibody construction. Great little towers though.

[K3WE]

I think most of us tend towards "over-kill" in marginal situations.

And that's a good thing because safety is pretty dang important, PLUS ALSO, WD and sway control generally makes for a significantly more comfortable ride.

[Tennessee_Nomad]

They make for a more stable ride. They certainly won't hurt anything, especially if you are new to pulling a big box behind your truck.

[Titania]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Lots of good food for thought. Still conflicted as to whether to get a WDH or not, but your responses have given us more to think about...and more options to look into.

[John___Angela]

If it was me, with weights like that, I would not bother with a WDH. If you have towing issues then you can start looking at options but really, at that weight i doubt it.

[DSDP_Don]

Your weights are probably right on the border or just under. I would try the combo first and see how it rides. If the truck sits nose high or does a lot of porposing while driving, you'll need the WDH. If it doesn't, life is much simpler not having to deal with a WDH.