Forum Discussion

RDMueller's avatar
RDMueller
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015

Does a W/D hitch help with ride?

I've read many threads here already asking if W/D is needed for a particular TV/TT combo, and I even started my own thread asking that same question before purchasing my TT. The responses were mixed, some saying yes, some saying no. I also asked my salesperson at the dealer and he said it wasn't needed with my truck (said that most of his guys that deliver the rigs from the factory use the same truck I drive and they just drop it on the ball, add sway and go).

So, I drove off with the new TT with no W/D and just a sway bar. We've taken one big trip so far, about 1200 miles round trip, no problems. Handles very well, no sway, no steer-ability issues. Looking at the truck/TT from the side, there is no obvious sag in the middle and the truck sits level. The only issue is the ride when you are on a bad road.

On a smooth stretch of road, you don't even know the TT is back there. But when you get to a lousy stretch of road, the ride can be somewhat uncomfortable, every big bump resulting in a back and forth rocking motion. Kind of reminds me of riding in an old car that badly needed new shocks.

What I'm wondering is if in a situation like mine where W/D is not needed for the usual reasons, if it would still be helpful in providing a smoother ride when on a bad road? I'm hoping to hear from someone in a similar situation who started without w/d, then added it later.

Here's all the revelant info:
Truck - 2001 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton diesel, club cab, long bed, 2wd
TT - 29' Wildwood 28DBUD

From the scale hitched:
Steer axle 3300 (GAWR front 4500)
Drive axle 4000 (GAWR rear 6084)
Trailer axle 5800 (GAWR trailer 7000 (3500x2))

Truck tare wt 6400 (measured recently at the dump, no front/rear numbers)
Truck GVWR 8800
Truck GCVWR 20000
Hitch Class V 16000/2400 wt carrying and 17000/2400 w/d

Didn't make an empty pass, but TW has to be about 1000.

Finally, measurements taken from the ground to the bottom of fender:

Empty Hitched Difference
34 7/8" 35 1/4" Up 3/8" Front
39 1/4" 37 3/4" Down 1 1/2" Rear

So, everything is well within limits and with the front only rising by 3/8", my thinking is that with this TV/TT combo, w/d just won't make much if any difference. However, if anyone has been in a similar situation and found a significant improvement in ride after adding w/d, I'd absolutely go ahead and invest in a w/d hitch.

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
  • RDMueller's avatar
    RDMueller
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2015
    colliehauler wrote:
    Have 6 200# people jump up and down on the rear bumper at the same time while you sit in the truck. Now move 2 people to the front bumper and 2 to the center of the trailer. Now have all six jump up and down and the same time while you sit in the truck. This is how a WD distributes the weight.


    This is a very good explanation and totally makes sense. If I picture the 6 people (or even more) standing on the bumper, in my case, no problem. But yea, get them jumping up and down and you can easily see how having them spread out would make a huge difference.
  • Hornnumb2's avatar
    Hornnumb2
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2015
    The Andersen would be a good hitch for you, it really makes the ride better.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Apr 23, 2015
    RDMueller wrote:
    Another question I have... Does anyone know why using w/d helps with the ride? I totally get why a 1/2 ton short bed truck needs the bars, without them the front end simply gets too light and the rear sags too much. You really need to distribute the TW between the 2 axles. But on a truck like mine, you've got a 1000 lb engine sitting at the end of a really long arm counteracting that TW. That's why the front is only rising 3/8". So in a situation like this, what are the mechanics behind how w/d will improve the ride? Based on the replies so far, I believe it, I just don't understand it.
    Have 6 200# people jump up and down on the rear bumper at the same time while you sit in the truck. Now move 2 people to the front bumper and 2 to the center of the trailer. Now have all six jump up and down and the same time while you sit in the truck. This is how a WD distributes the weight.

    The 1000# going down the highway is not a static load, going over bumps it changes.

    This is why you need to set up correctly as well. If the bars are too tight it's like moving 3 people to the front bumper and 3 to the center of the trailer. To loose and it like only moving 1 person to the front bumper and 1 to the center of the trailer and still having 4 on the rear bumper.
  • moresmoke's avatar
    moresmoke
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2015
    The spring action of the WD will take some of the bounce out as you go over the bumps. You also may want to look at your shocks if they are original, they may well be worn out.
  • RDMueller's avatar
    RDMueller
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2015
    Another question I have... Does anyone know why using w/d helps with the ride? I totally get why a 1/2 ton short bed truck needs the bars, without them the front end simply gets too light and the rear sags too much. You really need to distribute the TW between the 2 axles. But on a truck like mine, you've got a 1000 lb engine sitting at the end of a really long arm counteracting that TW. That's why the front is only rising 3/8". So in a situation like this, what are the mechanics behind how w/d will improve the ride? Based on the replies so far, I believe it, I just don't understand it.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2015
    One of the real joys of using the Andersen No Sway hitch is the ability to fine tune it to the desired ride with just a turn of the wrench. Some roads need different settings from others.
  • RDMueller's avatar
    RDMueller
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2015
    Ok, good - seems unanimous, w/d will help. Next question will be about adjusting it properly. Most of the threads I've read indicate you should remove about 1/2 of the rise on the front end. Since mine is only rising 3/8" without any bars, this seems pretty inexact. Maybe head over to the scales and measure the steer axle with and without the TT hitched, then try to get the weight about halfway between the two numbers?
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2015
    Yes, it should help quite a bit. The other device you could look at is the Air Safe Hitch. The hitch head rides on a heavy duty shock-absorbing cushion.

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