when is weight distribution hitch required
How do I decide when I need a weight distribution hitch?
Forum Discussion
- Topic was answered, amid way too many arguments.
Thread closed - X2
Well said!
And very informative for new RVer's. - So, did the Superduty need a WD hitch or sway control or did he need to load his trailer properly and tow it at a reasonable speed? If I had a nickel for every OTR truck that passed us creating a bow wave and then turbulence behind over the Christmas vacation to Alabama and back, I could have paid for my gas with the collection.
- I'm not sure how you arrived at that conclusion, but my thinking was quite contrary. A 250 is a great tow vehicle and much more capable than my lowly 1/2 ton. However, the capability of the truck did not prevent the accident. It's possible that the driver was distracted or there was some mechanical failure, but it appears more like a textbook victim of the bow wave effect. All of the signs are there.
TomG2 wrote:
proxim2020 wrote:
This Super Duty looks pretty capable.-250
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INyiMA3hfto
From that, you determined that F-250's make lousy tow vehicles? You are sure that the driver did not reach down for his cell phone or some mechanical failure did not occur? Amazing.
Who said F-250's make lousy tow vehicles? Maybe I missed that post. You seem to take everything so personal Tom.proxim2020 wrote:
This Super Duty looks pretty capable.-250
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INyiMA3hfto
From that, you determined that F-250's make lousy tow vehicles? You are sure that the driver did not reach down for his cell phone or some mechanical failure did not occur? Amazing.- We see many 60' manufactured homes rolling down the interstates here in the southeast being towed by a very stout although very short tow vehicle with no WD and no sway control.
If you happen to be at an RV dealership when a new TT arrives, you'll notice no WD or sway control. At least that's been my experience.
With Intrepid Boats built just a few blocks away, I get to see a lot of brand new boats up to 47.5' trailered to the Park Blvd boat ramps in Seminole Fl for sea trials. It's a beautiful sight to see. And no WD or sway control.
Same with towed construction equipment. Only in the RV world is WD and sway control part of the uniform. Although my Reese HP trunion IS a manly looking work of art. :B TomG2 wrote:
Asking a bunch of RVnet members is your best bet. Don't rely on the engineers that designed and built your tow vehicle. GM engineers in particular have blown the Front Axle Restoration fears clear out of the water with their Silverado series of pickups.
That stuff dates back to the days when we used big old softly sprung sedans and station wagons to tow our campers. Today's modern well engineered pickups are totally different animals. That is not to say that the rear suspension cannot be overloaded, because it can be. Better to purchase an adequate tow vehicle rather than hope some magic hitch is going to compensate for being over payload.
A vehicle can be engineered to not require a WDH, however, this isn't guarantee of the best user experience. Moving up a few pickup classes does not magically cancel out the forces involved with towing. All of those dynamic forces and Newton Laws aren't going anywhere. This is why people, some even in this thread, report a more pleasurable experience while using a WHD with a very capable vehicle. So while an engineer has designed a truck to not fall apart when loaded, that doesn't change the fact that you'll get the best experience when weights are balanced across all axles and dynamic forces are restrained. We get it, you're anti-WDH and don't see any benefits. You don't have to post one of these rants in every WDH thread.Cobra21 wrote:
I will agree with both of you. Towing it just rides and drives better and I use a 1 ton.Rbertalotto wrote:
I might be able to add something to this conversation. I recently bought a 19' toy hauler. Using my "heavy duty" Dodge 2500 Diesel with air bags and Big Whig rear sway bar, I r
Towed the trailer without a WDH for a year. No issues, no headlights in the trees. But on a whim, and wanting another gadget I bought a Load Equalizer hitch with built in sway control. Huge difference. Much smoother ride. Less bouncing. More control changing lanes. Huge improvement.
The trailer, loaded is only 7000 pounds and tongue weight is only 1000 pounds. Easily handled by the truck. But the WDH makes the trailer and the TV one homogeneous unit.
This is true...whether you need it or not, it changes your ride from an old pickup to a Cadillac.
Brian
