Use WD hitch or not?
I have an 18' TT with dry weight of 3700 lbs and tongue weight of 500 lbs, and a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 to tow it with (120" wheelbase). I did get an e2 WD hitch with the trailer but wonder if I really n...
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I finally managed to get access to the roadside scales. These give weights in multiples of 50 lbs. I used the WD hitch (no motorcycle in the back). First I took the bars off and got these weights:
2400 lbs front truck axle
2850 lbs rear truck axle
3950 lbs both trailer axles
Then I put the bars back on and got these weights:
2550 lbs front truck axle
2600 lbs rear truck axle
4000 lbs both trailer axles
I drove to the coast and back with the WD hitch. I'm still not happy with it. Even a minor swoop in the road, that would not be noticeable in a car, would cause a porpoising motion down the road. And it seems very sensitive to crosswinds. On the other hand, I noticed no swerving at all when 18-wheelers passed.
I also got less than 12mpg in a truck rated for 25mpg on the highway. The transmission stayed mostly in 5th gear on level ground, in an 8-speed transmission. I was being gentle with the gas pedal too.
2400 lbs front truck axle
2850 lbs rear truck axle
3950 lbs both trailer axles
Then I put the bars back on and got these weights:
2550 lbs front truck axle
2600 lbs rear truck axle
4000 lbs both trailer axles
I drove to the coast and back with the WD hitch. I'm still not happy with it. Even a minor swoop in the road, that would not be noticeable in a car, would cause a porpoising motion down the road. And it seems very sensitive to crosswinds. On the other hand, I noticed no swerving at all when 18-wheelers passed.
I also got less than 12mpg in a truck rated for 25mpg on the highway. The transmission stayed mostly in 5th gear on level ground, in an 8-speed transmission. I was being gentle with the gas pedal too.
