WDH? Casita 17
Will I need a weight distributing hitch with a Dodge Dakota towing a Casita 17?
Forum Discussion
mkirsch wrote:
Some research is in order before you blindly go adding a WD hitch.
You need to read the manual and find out if the manufacturer prohibits the use of a WD hitch. Some lighter trailer tongues will bend with a WD hitch.
Another thing you need to know is the tongue weight of the trailer vs. the ratings of your truck's receiver. Most likely your truck will have a receiver that requires a WD hitch when the tongue weight exceeds 500lbs.
If the trailer's tongue weight exceeds 500lbs, AND the trailer manufacturer supports the use of a WD hitch, then you should use a WD hitch.
Absolutely correct on all points.- Some research is in order before you blindly go adding a WD hitch.
You need to read the manual and find out if the manufacturer prohibits the use of a WD hitch. Some lighter trailer tongues will bend with a WD hitch.
Another thing you need to know is the tongue weight of the trailer vs. the ratings of your truck's receiver. Most likely your truck will have a receiver that requires a WD hitch when the tongue weight exceeds 500lbs.
If the trailer's tongue weight exceeds 500lbs, AND the trailer manufacturer supports the use of a WD hitch, then you should use a WD hitch. - I towed a 6x12 cargo trailer with my 4 door Jeep Wrangler and used a WD Hitch.
It helped immensely. - Agreed. A basic WD anti-sway hitch will make towing more pleasant.
I used to tow a PuP without either, and am much more comfortable towing my trailer with my current setup than I was the PuP. downtheroad wrote:
My opinion, a basic WD hitch would help.
Ditto.downtheroad wrote:
The Dakota is a relatively 'small' truck. Softer suspension, P rated tires.
You are looking at over 400 lbs of tongue weight when the Castita is trip ready loaded..
My opinion, a basic WD hitch would help. The Casita website showes it hitched up with a friction sway bar.
P tires, yes but not necessarily a soft suspension. The Dakota is basically a shrunken 1/2 ton. My 1998 4x4 had a 1550 lb payload with the factory heavy payload springs. It probably would have pulled a Casita just fine without WD. I say give it a shot first and see how it goes.- I have a 16ft trailer and use a wd /w sway just to make long trips that much easier to drive.
Every little bit of help makes alot of difference 8-10 hours later :-) - I've owned 3 Casitas and pulled all (one at a time) with a Toyota FJ. Used a sway bar with one but not the other two and had no problems - mostly in Utah and Colorado. YMMV
- The Dakota is a relatively 'small' truck. Softer suspension, P rated tires.
You are looking at over 400 lbs of tongue weight when the Castita is trip ready loaded..
My opinion, a basic WD hitch would help. The Casita website showes it hitched up with a friction sway bar.
