Do I need a weight distributing hitch?

TomG2 wrote:
Good choice, just mentioning something you might not have thought about. Lots of people run out of payload with surprisingly lightweight trailers. Then they are on here asking about better hitches, tires, and suspension improvements. That is why I always say, "Get weighed".

Good advice! Our trailer only has 425lbs of cargo capacity after a full tank of water, full propane and two batteries. I'm guessing that will just be just enough for dishes, bedding, table and toiletries.

We'll definitely load as if we're ready to travel in both TV and TT and get a weighed, thanks.

Good choice, just mentioning something you might not have thought about. Lots of people run out of payload with surprisingly lightweight trailers. Then they are on here asking about better hitches, tires, and suspension improvements. That is why I always say, "Get weighed".

TomG2 wrote:


We all do, until we get on the scales.

That may be, but I'd rather leave some stuff at home and live to get back to see it again, so I'll opt for the safer towing system.

MicahDD wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Be aware that you are using up nearly one hundred pounds of your payload with the Equal-I-zer.

I'm ok with that, we travel light :-)

We all do, until we get on the scales.

TomG2 wrote:
Be aware that you are using up nearly one hundred pounds of your payload with the Equal-I-zer.

I'm ok with that, we travel light :-)

Be aware that you are using up nearly one hundred pounds of your payload with the Equal-I-zer.

Thanks everyone for the input. It appears that the consensus is "You don't *need* it, but you'll be happier if you have it."

Being that we're going to be hauling this rig around for 1.5 months on our first trip I think I'll spend the coin to get an Equal-i-zer and consider it an expense on peace-of-mind. Thanks!

I would look around at what the WD hitch manufacturers recommend. Everything I've read indicates the WDH is for heavier trailers with a tongue weight of at least 600#. This is about 10% of the gross trailer weight, so that would be just over 300# for your trailer. Our TT is 3500# gross and we tow with an Envoy. I asked about the WDH from the RV dealer and they said I didn't need it, just go for the sway bar. The first trip we took felt a little bouncy, but the Envoy has a real soft suspension. I installed Bilstein heavy duty shocks and the problem was solved. Is it bounce free? No, but 99% of the time it is.

After once owning a 2001 Expedition and pulling a trailer with a dry weight of only 2500 lbs (probably around 4000 lbs the way we loaded it), I can say with confidence that you'd like having the WD hitch and sway bar. The rear suspension on those vehicles aren't like with a truck, but more like a car for the ride. While it won't necessarily sag a lot, you'll bounce hard in dips, RR tracks, etc., without the WD. With the WD, though, it's solid as a rock and you'll likely forget the thing is behind you, that is until you tally up what you paid for gas.

i could probably research on the net for this answer but ill exercise your brains: i also have a dually with a 7k dryweight tt. i took it on a trip to kentucky which was about 1900 miles round trip. towed fine, however im just curious what a wd does for the trailer alone. tow vehicle stayed planted entire time. once in a while when caught right, passing a tractor trailer i get sucked in a little. but what does wd do for the trailer itself? i was slightly nose down. it pulled it straight, tested up to about 87ish mph i think i went to. wanted to really test her on an empty stretch of highway i hit. so question: does it make the trailer itself more stable or is it a tow vehicle adjustment they are making?

1. sorry to hijack your thread bud.
2. yes, new to camper world but i drive a tractor trailer for a living.