Weight distribution hitch

Depends what you are towing it with.
An F350 dually won't know it's there. A Pathfinder will struggle....

I think a WDH is a crutch when you don't have enough TV to do the job.

JCR-1 wrote:
I am sure this has been a well versed topic however would like to hear some comments on why is a weight distribution hitch necessary. I have a 21 foot lightweight trailer and tows pretty good with just a sway bar. I an wondering why would one need this? I can see this device on larger heavier trailers where the back of the TV drops down and leveling is necessary.. but on the smaller trailers why ???

Our Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS measures 22' 6" coupler to bumper, averages ~ 4700 lbs loaded & ready to camp with an average gross tongue weight of ~ 625 lbs. Without weight distribution all that tongue weight is bearing down on the far rear of my 1/2 ton Silverado, unduly unloading the front steer axle - NO WAY I'd tow without a properly sized & adjusted weight distribution system. The back of the truck "dropping down" isn't the issue, it's merely a symptom of the real issue - unloading of the front steer axle. Do yourself a favour and invest in a properly sized WD system which will restore weight to that front steer axle where it belongs. :B

The function of a WD Hitch is to "distribute weight". You drop your TT on the hitch and the weight on the back axle increases. The back of the TV goes down, the front of the TV goes up.

When this happens, rear axle weight increases and front axle weight decreases, this is no big deal until you add enough weight to effect steering and braking on the front end.

The WD Hitch torsion bars push up against the tongue weight and redistribute the weight to the front axle and the TT axle to restore some of the steering and breaking control.

My F-150 barely notices my pop up but sags when the TT is added.

It is your choice but you will notice when you need one.

Good luck

Weight distributing hitches became popular back in the day when we towed with softly sprung sedans and station wagons. Now, everyone thinks they need one if the rear suspension on their pickup drops an inch or so when towing a lightweight trailer. GM disagrees and you can verify this in any late model GM pickup owner's manual. Comparing what is "required" for towing with Grandpa's '58 Buick to what a modern pickup needs is the ultimate apples and oranges. We still have lots of WD hitch fans and of course the RV dealers like to pick up an easy couple hundred dollars on the deal. I buy an adequate tow vehicle and leave the fancy hitches on the dealer's shelves.

TomG2 wrote:
Now, everyone thinks they need one if the rear suspension on their pickup drops an inch or so when towing a lightweight trailer. GM disagrees and you can verify this in any late model GM pickup owner's manual.

I just did - Page 9-101 of my 2012 Silverado's owner's manual lists a weight carrying maximum of 600 lbs of gross tongue weight. My short 19' couple's model typically averages ~ 625 lbs of gross tongue weight or ~ 13.2% of it's average gross weight, loaded & ready to camp - verified with my Sherline tongue weight scale. Not only does the rear of the truck drop FAR more than just "an inch or so" without the benefit of weight distribution but GM clearly does NOT disagree and in fact verifies in my owner's manual that weight distribution IS required beyond 600 lbs gross tongue weight.

Unless you are having problems with your current rig set-up, why change anything.

However, if you are experiencing uncomfortable towing, the feeling that the steering wheel is floating and you feel you don't have good control of the vehicle and trailer 100%, then you should consider weight distribution.

If you decide to get a heavier camper with the same tow vehicle, yes, you will need WD then for sure.

Weight Distribution does 2 things: 1) it keeps the tow vehicle and trailer level to the ground, front and rear should be the same height. 2) it distributes the weight on the hitch to all points equal touching the ground. This keeps steering control, even wear on all your tires, and headlights from beaming at the moon.

Yup if I did not have a WD hitch, the tongue weight of my 25 ft TT would exceed the hitch rating of my F-150.

I also helps dampen the bounce.

The nice thing about RVing is you are free try any setup you prefer. I prefer to go with the CAT scales and the TV'S spec sheet.

SoundGuy wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Now, everyone thinks they need one if the rear suspension on their pickup drops an inch or so when towing a lightweight trailer. GM disagrees and you can verify this in any late model GM pickup owner's manual.

I just did - Page 9-101 of my 2012 Silverado's owner's manual lists a weight carrying maximum of 600 lbs of gross tongue weight. My short 19' couple's model typically averages ~ 625 lbs of gross tongue weight or ~ 13.2% of it's average gross weight, loaded & ready to camp - verified with my Sherline tongue weight scale. Not only does the rear of the truck drop FAR more than just "an inch or so" without the benefit of weight distribution but GM clearly does NOT disagree and in fact verifies in my owner's manual that weight distribution IS required beyond 600 lbs gross tongue weight.

Exactly!
For the newbies, "don't believe everything you read on internet forums"
A WDH is needed if your tongue weight exceeds the carrying capacity of your hitch. My trailer has a tongue weight of 1200lbs, AFAIK no factory hitch is rated to carry that without a WDH.
WDH hitches also tend to stabilize the handling and ride of trailer/truck combo.

SoundGuy wrote:
......owner's manual that weight distribution IS required beyond 600 lbs gross tongue weight.

What is your point? It also says that NONE is required for less than that. The OP asked if WD hitches were required for lightweight trailers. Many lightweight trailers have tongue weights under 500 pounds. Look in the manual for 2500HD and you will discover that GM does NOT require weight distributing hitches for any lightweight trailer, including yours. Like I said, I purchase tow vehicles that do not REQUIRE weight distributing hitches. Obviously you took another route.

From this year's GM manual:
"1500 Weight-Carrying 318 kg (700 lb)
1500 Weight-Distributing 567 kg (1,250 lb)
2500/3500
Standard Box
Weight-Carrying or
Weight-Distributing
680 kg (1,500 lb)
2500/
3500 Long Box
Weight-Carrying or
Weight-Distributing
907 kg (2,000 lb)