wintersun wrote:
With the GM 3/4 and 1-ton trucks no weight distributing hitch is needed or advised and they can tow up to 13,000 lbs. with a ball hitch. The frames on these trucks are considerably stronger than with smaller trucks, SUVs, and automobiles.
Check the towing guide from the manufacturer as it should state for your model whether or not a WDH is needed.
That may be true...my Burb has a 12000 lb tow rating and the cover of the brochure shows a giant boat on a triple axle trailer and no WD hitch. The WD hitch has got nothing to do with the tow rating of the truck, it's to keep the rear suspension from sagging under the load of the tongue weight. This helps avoid a floaty steering wheel with no directional stability and headlights that scan the trees for birds at night.
The truck may be rated to tow 13,000 lbs but most factory receivers are rated for 5000 lbs weight carrying only, with 500 lbs of tongue weight. Ditto for an 8" drop ball mount. Chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.
However faced with OP's choice of a nose-up trailer or overloaded rear end on the truck, I would probably choose the latter. Neither is ideal and should be avoided if possible. Not sure what the OPs timing is but may be a good idea to order the right equipment from an online store rather than choose between the lesser of 2 evils....
You can get what you need
here at eTrailer.com...a whole asortment of 8" drop WD heads.
