Reduce sway when towing campers, RV's and trailers. The WD hitch will add the 599.4 lbs to the TV front axle so that the truck gets level. In some situations, not having a hitch could mean too much weight is directed at the front of the trailer, which will cause the trailers front end to nosedive, making it almost impossible for you to maintain control of your vehicle. The opposite situation is also dangerous as less tongue height will cause the campers front part and the vehicles back part to rise off the ground. While the total weight of the trailer, cargo, and other things have to be under the GVWR limit, a hitch is the standard component to keep the towed stuff safe and secure on the road. A weight distribution hitch is required by law if the weight of the load you will be pulling is more than half the weight of your vehicle. So instead of all this weight hitting dead center on a standard hitch, a weight distribution hitch is going to take the stress and distribute it evenly throughout the plane of connection between the tow vehicle and trailer. The weight distribution head assembly has two holes for bars that allow for freedom whenever you steer. Our seasoned trailer professionals can answer all of your questions and review your options for having this vital safety and performance system installed on your enclosed trailer. If you experience things like a gross trailer weight rating thats greater than 50 percent of the overall gross vehicle weight rating. These are snug enough to ensure that the bars stay on. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH - Andersen Hitches Help the distance from the tow vehicles rear axle to the trailer axle (or axles midpoint) is 50% longer than the wheelbase. Weight Distributing Hitch and Sway Control Having the proper hitch and sway control will make a world of difference for your trailer towing ability. The weight from the front of the tow vehicle stays on the front axle, improving contact with the road. If the weight were not lowered in such a manner, it would increase the chances your vehicle or your trailer could suffer broken axles, which is the last thing you want to be dealing with as you embark on vacation or are performing certain jobs or other tasks. But installing a weight distribution hitch will save you from dealing with these problems. Theyre not the only factors. The weight distribution hitch can correct the imbalanced weight distribution, but cannot cancel the effect of crosswinds. Your email address will not be published. That of the tongue weight comes out of the payload capacity of the tow vehicle and hopefully there is enough remaining capacity for driver, passenger(s) and stuff to not exceed the axle ratings of the tow vehicle.. (Is It Needed? Hope this guide helps show the necessary info about the WD hitch working mechanism. Weight carrying or traditional hitches work fine for small loads. Yup, it goes on the rear side of the truck causing it to face downward pressure. A few of the situations where it can be especially beneficial to employ a weight distribution hitch can include: Of course, anyone looking for a safer and easier ride may find it really beneficial to go ahead and install a weight distribution hitch. To begin with, you should have a much better view of the road ahead, since your headlights will not be pointing towards the sky. Welcome to VehicleAnswers! Hopefully, the explanation later was able to give you a good insight. Jamie from Campkin's RV Centre explains what a weight. If the load you will be towing will be greater than 50 percent of your vehicles weight, a weight distribution hitch will be required by law. The WDH basically transfer a certain percentage of a trailers TW to the front and rear wheels of a two vehicle. You are able to choose a weight distribution hitch to suit your towing rig, for example, the capacity of the ball load weights will come in various load capacities eg: 250 kg,340 kg and 450 kg. Weight distribution hitches are an attempt to correct a combination of fundamental engineering flaws in the design of trailers combined with the design of tow vehicles that require a hitch point that is an extended distance behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. To explain the above case, when you carry the trailer through the ordinary hitch point, the truck loses its tow weight by around 10% 20%. While standard rear hitches are ideal for light or proper loads, RVers need to use a weight distribution hitch when the tongue weight of the trailer exceeds the weight specifications of the tow vehicle`s receiver hitch. Basically, a weight distribution hitch will help keep your towing setup level and make sure the weight of your trailer doesn't cause undue stress on your vehicle. In this example, the axles normally carry 85% of the trailers weight so this is only a 5% increase. Also, if you have had to fight with your steering wheel to keep your vehicle under control when towing a trailer, this will also stop. This hitch is a complete package for sway control, weight distribution, and quality craftsmanship. This teeter-totter design is inherently unstable for a vehicle being pulled down the road at highway speeds. the trailer has 15% of its weight on the tongue, They also reduce the up and down movement of the tongue and trailer when you encounter bumps and uneven roads, which we all know are common throughout Michigan. I assume that Blue Oxs intention is that with the spring bar pivots inclined back, and the bars skewed outward (due to the trailer tongue angle) when the rig is straight, a deviation from straight ahead (yaw) will decrease the spring deflection on the side the trailer yaws toward, and increase it on the other side. Weight Distribution. Essentially, the hitch ball is set according to the coupler height and according to the trailer. When you install one of these hitches on your vehicle, you can expect to have the tongue weight reduced to between 10-15 percent of the total weight load. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Explaining Weight Distribution and Sway Control Hitching. Weight distribution hitches can help prevent those dangerous conditions and improve a vehicle's ability to turn, brake and steer, especially in the case of large loads, which can be hard to maneuver in a safe and controlled manner. This is often because the tow vehicles payload and TW capacity is capable of towing up to a maximum trailer weight without WDH. If you tow larger loads, the weight distribution hitch will also help you tow at higher capacity levels, meaning you should be able to meet but not exceed your vehicles maximum towing capacity. Join the FREE newsletter for tips, tricks, and insider secrets! A Beginner's Guide to Weight Distribution Setup - Lippert Weight distribution hitches sit under the tongue of a bumper pull trailer. What is a Weight Distribution Hitch & Do I Need One? - Lippert The bars provide the weight equalization, meaning that when the pressure is applied to the bars in an uplift motion, it lifts the tongue of the trailer and the rear of the tow vehicle up to level. There seems to be a quite a range in prices for WDHs, from a few hundred dollars to more than 2,000 dollars, depending on features, mods, quality, etc. When the hitch relies on friction points to control trailer sway, and the surface of these points get wet, the effectiveness of the hitch drops dramatically.. How Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Work? | Vehicle Answers Unlike a regular rear-mounted hitch, a weight distribution hitch equalizes the weight distribution between your vehicle and whatever you are towing. This will depend on the quality of your weight distribution hitch, how often you use it for towing, and if you take the proper precautions while towing your trailer. Bruce does this mean if an extension is used on the hitch to push the BALL out 6 inches or so (Effectively making the tongue longer ) the hitch/tongue weight will reduce? This provides a smooth comfortable towing experience.. First, you could wind up having a weight distribution between your vehicle and the trailer that is actually too small, which could result in the trailer swaying uncontrollably. Last but certainly not least, installing a weight distribution hitch will prevent trailer sway. = 2000 lbs x 20" / 120". Here are 3 reasons why a weight distribution hitch can be worth the extra dollars: As mentioned earlier, a weight distribution hitch works by maintaining the right level of your trailer or RV and towing vehicle. When your vehicle has a weight distribution hitch, the key to distributing the weight evenly will be the spring bars. Peter Wade is a co-ordinator and writer at www.RVTalk.net. [fact; no bars, no torsion]. Yes, this is the primary job of the weight distribution hitch. More importantly Best Budget-Friendly: EAZ LIFT 48053 Elite Bent Bar Weight Distributing Hitch. Quick Note >> We noticed a BIG difference after installing and driving across the country with ours attached. This sleek and middle-size gear bears a lot of weight and is still able to hold both sides to make a connection. Yes, the WD system transfers load from the tow vehicles rear axle, to the tow vehicles front axle and the trailer axle(s). We have had great success with Equal-i-zer brand sway control systems. We now have a Ram one ton diesel, will we still need WDB and sway bar for this light of a trailer? The amount of increased load on the trailer axles is typically small compared to the normal load on them. For this reason, it can heavily press down on a regular rear-mounted hitch. There is no need for any load-redistribution or suspension equipment to get the trailer level, since the ball height can just be adjusted as required. Thats because the weight distribution hitch lets you tow to the actual capacity of the hitch. How does it help with equal weight distribution and keeping the ride as stable as possible? Weight distribution hitches from different brands differ in various ways. Ever wondered where the weight goes when you fit a weight distribution hitch (WDH)? . With a weight distribution hitch, youre getting a safer ride, a more efficient trailer operation, and less wear and tear. Read More >> Top 10 Best Tires For Travel Trailers (2021 Review). Class III, IV, and V hitches are designed to work with weight distribution to create a safe tow operation. When a weight distribution hitch is not used, numerous things can occur. As already discussed, they improve handling, reducing swaying tendencies. The proportion of the split depends only on the distances between the axles (the tow vehicles wheelbase and the distance from the tow vehicles rear axle to the trailer axle(s). Weight Distribution Hitch: Does My Trailer Need One? - TheRVgeeks For most weight distribution systems, there is no specific timeframe for how long they will last. The rule of thumb is that if the weight of the trailer exceeds 50% of the GVWR, then you should consider a distribution system. What Happens to Your Vehicle When you Tow a Trailer? Every vehicle has a maximum towing capacity. If you are wanting to back up a short distance in a straight line, such as to park your camper in a parking space or at a campground, you can usually do this without damaging the system. How Do Weight Distribution Hitches Work? Why Do You Need One? - RV LIFE No. It also provides a smooth, stable ride, easier steering, and extends the life of your tires. I agree that a long distance from the trailer axle to the ball (relative to trailer length) and short distance from tugs rear axle to ball (relative to tug wheelbase) are beneficial to stability. Inefficient braking system that lacks stopping power. When Do You Need A Weight Distribution Hitch - Micdot this torsion then causes the hitch point to rise, which achieves the levelling. It does this by using spring bars and tension to "push up" on the trailer and vehicle hitch at the mounting point to bring the trailer and vehicle parallel with each other and prevent trailer sag. 1. Gas vs Diesel for Towing a Fifth Wheel: Which One is Better? Decreased wear and tear means the investment in a weight distribution hitch really pays off over time. e.g. While these do not increase your tow vehicles GVWR, they may increase how much you can safely tow. It allows you to pull your RV or trailer so that it does not swing or veer uncontrollably. This is especially true if your RV or trailer weighs a lot. Best Gross Trailer Weight Rating: CURT 17063 MV Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control. For hauling those heavy-duty loads, a weight distribution hitch can be a real lifesaver. The equal level of your trailer and vehicle is key to ensure safe towing. As we stated earlier, the spring bars make sure the tow load is distributed evenly among all axles on your tow vehicle and the trailer. The weight in front of the trailer is higher than in the rear. Especially with heavy cargo, having an unbalanced load can mean less control, more wear and tear on specific components, and can even lead to an accident. Regular rear-mounted hitches may anchor well to your vehicle. But, have you ever wondered how weight distribution hitch works? Many pickup truck manufacturers recommend using a weight-distribution hitch when towing over a certain trailer weight. At their core, weight distribution hitches rely on providing balance between two key trailer measurements every owner should be very familiar with in the gross weight of the trailer combined with that of the cargo, as well as the tongue weight rating. However, we tend to recommend you spend between $500 to $1,000 for a weight distribution hitch that can be screwed onto your vehicle. U-Haul trailers have conventional proportions. Home Guides How Does a Weight Distribution Hitch Work? http://www.curtmfg.com/Category/80/Weight%20Distribution. Problems Without a Weight Distribution Hitch, 6 Types of Fifth Wheel Hitches, When to Use Them and Which Ones to Buy, Best 5th Wheel To Gooseneck Adapters: An In-Depth Review, The 6 Best Removable Fifth Wheel Hitches to Buy in 2022, The 12 Best Anti-Rattle Hitch Devices To Buy in 2022, The 12 Best Electric Tongue Jacks to Buy in 2022, The 12 Best Weight Distribution Hitches to Buy in 2022, The 7 Best Trucks for Towing 5th Wheel Trailers, The 12 Best Trailer Hitch Locks (Review) in 2022. Its simple once you figure out the main mechanism. As a good rule of trailer-hauling, you should always know exactly what your GVWR is and never push the limits of what your vehicle can safely handle. Weight distribution hitches offer a number of important benefits when you are towing a trailer. The entire axle had to be replaced. It does this with the use of spring bars and a weight distribution system. When the trailer doesnt ride evenly, your equipment may sustain damage. Half-Ton Trucks and Weight-Distribution Hitches: Why and When to Use Weight Distribution Hitches Explained - How They Work, Why - YouTube the load being transferred to the tow vehicles front axle is 6% of the trailer weight, and the load being transferred to the trailer axle(s) is 4% of the trailer weight. The downward force of the TT tongue increases the load of 333 lbs at the axle. However, these hitches are ideally suited for some specific applications. It also allows the sway bars enough room to sway with the RV or trailer as you make turns. Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control - SwayPro - Blue Ox It stops sideways movements by increasing friction resistance or electrically applying trailer brakes. The shop you take these figures to can make recommendations. The other option is the trunnion bars, which offers better leveling, and a slightly higher capacity of 5,000 to 15,000 lbs. How does weight distribution hitch workin sway control? For hauling those heavy-duty loads, a weight distribution hitch can be a real lifesaver. How Do Weight Distribution Hitches Work | etrailer.com Weight distributing hitches are designed to evenly distribute the weight of your RV onto your towing vehicle's axles and wheels. Helping to haul heavier loads is definitely the hallmark of a weight distribution hitch. This is the load that the WD hitch will take out from the TV rear axle and complete its working to level the truck and trailer. Regardless, either model still offers a high degree of road safety and youll avoid a potential trailer sway wreck. Trunnion bars help to provide a great leveling system for the overall towing operation you have running. When you have the weight-bearing down on the rear axle, more weight makes it easier to lose control of the trailer and vehicle. You will mostly see these hitches with camping RVs. On the adjustable ball mount, the sway control ball & the pre-installed components like 2-5/16 inches hitch ball are . Most will list two limits one with a weight distribution system and one with a standard ball mount. Whenever our customers ask us about options like a weight distribution hitch, we always focus on the value received for the investment made. Fastway Equal-i-zer 4-Point 10,000-pound Sway Control. It distributes the excess tongue weight forward (to the back axle of your truck), and reward (to the axles of your trailer). The rear receiver hitch is the most common and ideal for light loads or weight well below the GVWR. This allows RVers to tow their trailer level. Once you hitch up the trailer and the weight is resting on the ball, step back and observe how the vehicle and trailer set. the WD system is used to restore the tow vehicles front axle to the same load as when the trailer is not hitched up, and If you do it is because it is loaded tail heavy so as to have negative weight on the hitch. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH GUIDE | HOW DOES IT WORK? Your vehicle and trailer will also likely never bottom out while on the road, since the even distribution of weight will ensure no sagging is taking place. This force causes the back side of the truck to lift down. Adding this hitch will be good for the overall health of your towing vehicle and reduce unnecessary stress on several components including suspension, axles, and chassis. The hitch receiver, which attaches to your vehicles frame, contains the opening that the shank slides into. If the weight of your trailer bears down too much on the rear end of your vehicle, two things can happen. Instead, it comes in various lengths, rises, and drops, allowing you to make sure you have a shank that keeps your trailer level with your vehicle. Why Is My Cruise Control Not Working? Learning RV is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. physics and maths prove this easily. Required fields are marked *. The axle is rated 3500 lbs each brake drum is rated at 3500 lbs. You use it for connecting your RV or trailer to your towing vehicle (e.g., your truck). Round bars have slightly less weight capacity with ranges hitting typically from 5,000 to 14,000 lbs, depending on the manufacturer. Even when more appropriately distributing the trailers weight, be careful not to push your tow vehicles capacity limits. It sounds sensible on paper. 8 Best Weight Distribution Hitches To prevent swaying and bouncing Weight Distribution Hitch - Andersen Hitches Additionally, feeling any kind of loss of control or swaying in the course of your normal activities hauling an enclosed trailer are pretty good indicators that a weight distribution system should be on your radar.