Weight distribution hitch

[Tikkamike]

My TT came with one. I understand its purpose for helping level out the ride and distribute the weight better. However I have a 3/4 tom GMC with air bags so I can level the truck as much of as little as I want. I have a buddy who claims it helps with anti sway.. is this true? I dont see where its going to do much.

[chevor]

I don't even use a WDH for my 3/4 ton. The 1 ton dually I have too do to distance from ball to drive wheels.

[mtofell1]

Think of a WDH as a stiffener for the hinge at the tow ball. The WDH apparatus prevents violent, rhythmic movements. During these rhythmic "episodes" when the ball is at the peak of the cycle the tongue weight is at its lightest and the trailer is much more prone to sway. So, yes, the WDH can impact sway.

[Terryallan]

Tikkamike wrote:
My TT came with one. I understand its purpose for helping level out the ride and distribute the weight better. However I have a 3/4 tom GMC with air bags so I can level the truck as much of as little as I want. I have a buddy who claims it helps with anti sway.. is this true? I dont see where its going to do much.

Yes air bags will level the truck. However. It will still be nose light, and prone to sway. They are useless for putting lost weight back on the steering axle.

As for the WDH. It will level the entire rig, AND return lost weight to the steering axle. A light steering axle will cause sway, due to the loss of steering control. The WDH plants the steering axle, and returns control to the driver.

[Dog_Trainer]

The question you ask is with little information so any answers you get here may be far from right. So what is the trailer loaded weight and what is the tongue weight. What is the Hitch you have on your TV rated at. A properly loaded TT should not have much sway but would still need a WDH to stay within the guidelines of the hitch weight. The weight will likely be stamped into the rciever on the bottom. That is where my Ford is.

[Campfire_Time]

To APT's point, the tongue weight will take weight off the front wheels, lifting the front end and decreasing steering control. In some cases this could be dangerous especially in a situation where you have to take evasive action quickly.

W/D puts the weight back on the front. Every manufacturer has a spec for this. You measure the height of the front fender before putting the trailer on, then measure it again after setting the trailer on the hitch without putting the W/D bars on (dead weight). Then you adjust the hitch to bring the front fenders back into spec.

The Spec for GM trucks is to bring it back down to stock height (see your owners manual). If you want to be really precise you can weigh the front end at a CAT scale, set your hitch up, then weigh the front again with the trailer and hitch all setup to see if matches.

All that said, air bags are great, they make for a smoother load carrying experience, but they do not put weight back on the front wheels. They just make your headlights line up with the road better.

[APT]

A WDH takes weight off the tow vehicle's rear axle and distributes some to the front axle and some to the trailer axles. The benefit is far greater than leveling the truck. For example a trailer with 1000 pounds of TW:

Just drop tongue on ball might do this compared to unhitched:
decrease front axle weight by 400 pounds
increase rear axle weight by 1400 pounds

Using a WDH could do this compared to unhitched:
restore front axle weight to unhitched amount ((net 0)
increase rear axle by 800 pounds
and put 200 pounds on the trailer axles

So in that example, you restore 400 pounds to the truck's steering axle and take 600 pounds off the truck's rear axles. That is significant enough to affect how many trucks handle. I do not know how much tongue weight your TT has, but the percentages are typical for full sized pickups and SUVs.

The forces on the receiver are also different in weight carrying compared to with weight distribution. Many receivers have higher ratings with a WDH, so check for a sticker on yours.

[Tikkamike]

downtheroad wrote:
First, there are a ton of weight distribution hitches out there..some incorporate sway control, some have sway control add ons...

What brand is yours?

Also, depending on the loaded tongue weight of your trailer and the receiver on your truck...a weight distribution hitch 'might' be required to meet the weight rating of your receiver. Air bags will not accomplish this.

I believe it is a Curt.

[fla-gypsy]

As you stated, the WD hitch levels AND redistributes the weight. The airbags cannot redistribute weight, only level the vehicle. Addressing the sway component of the equation is a critical part of a properly set up TT as well.

[downtheroad]

First, there are a ton of weight distribution hitches out there..some incorporate sway control, some have sway control add ons...

What brand is yours?

Also, depending on the loaded tongue weight of your trailer and the receiver on your truck...a weight distribution hitch 'might' be required to meet the weight rating of your receiver. Air bags will not accomplish this.

[ugh]

There are anti sway control device alone and it cost like 30 to 60 dollars.