Proteus wrote:
My hitch rating is low at 575lbs, since European standard is 8% on the hitch, not 15% like here. From what I understand, a good WD system will take care of that (locally, equalizer "four points" seems to be popular). Per the dealer, the MB has trailer towing software that automatically detects and corrects for sway.
So question is this: Can I safely tow something like:
Keystone Passport 2650BH (4950 dry, 470 hitch),
Coachman Captiva 270RS (4600 dry, 740 hitch, the WD should help here?)
or even a Surveyor cadet SC-280(4700, 504 hitch).
A WDH does not change the TW. It just distributes the TW from the rear axle of the TV to the front axle of the TV and the trailer axles. For example, a 600 pound TW trailer:
Drop the tongue on the ball and rear axle goes up by about 850 pounds, front axle drops by 250 pounds. Apply WD to restore that 250 pounds to the front axle. Then rear axle is only about 450 pounds higher than unhitched and TT axles add 150 pounds. The receiver still experiences 600 pounds of TW.
If your receiver or vehicle owners manual states 575 pounds limit, I do not recommend exceeding it. Stick to dry weights at 400 TW and 3500 total dry. That should keep you near your TW limit.
Tow vehicle sway control is not something you ever want to experience activating. Use a quality WDH with integrated sway control such that you never have to activate the vehicle's systems. Equal-i-zer 4pt is a good product.
Verify your payload via the Tire and loading sticker on driver's door or door jam. When people list curb weight, that is usually base, not what typical people buy.
