Weight distributing / sway control

[22E6441]

My BIL just gave me a hitch...I think it's this one:

http://hitchsales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=66024&Category_Code=312&Product_Count=0

Would it be smart to try and use it, or would it be overkill that other boaters would laugh at me for?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

They're great, especially if your tow vehicle is fairly light or your boat a little tongue heavy. I use one (a heavier model) when I tow with my Avalanche, I don't bother when I tow with my k2500HD ext cab. My boat/trailer is 6200 lbs. You won't get nearly as much trailer bounce, and the tail doesn't "wag the dog" as much either.

 

[JB]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

Note that it is limited to 3500lb/350lb on the tongue.

Do not attempt to use it above that.

On loads that fit, it certainly can do no harm. People that might laugh at it are only stupid jerks, so what do you care?

 

[Proselect]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

When I raced snowmobiles we used one with our 28 foot enclosed trailer. I wouldn't tow that thing without one. When I sold it I included the hitch with the sale and the guy refused to use it while towing it home to his house 80 miles away. 10 minutes after he left he said he got on the freeway and it was bouncing and swaying all over the place. I told him it was cuz he needed to put that hitch on. I assume he used it after that cuz I never heard from him again. I wouldn't be embarassed to use it, that's for sure.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

It may not even work on a boat trailer unless you have the V tongue like a travel trailer.

 

[Proselect]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

It may not even work on a boat trailer unless you have the V tongue like a travel trailer.

This is true, I didn't even think of that. Good point.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

they make an adapter for it I us one on mine. its called a tongue adaptor

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

I don't know what your towing with but if you have a 1/2 ton truck, your not gonna need that hitch for your 14' open bow boat. I may be over kill.

What does your rig weight? 3k?

Just my worthless $.02

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

I guess it depends on how the trailer does now. With my setup I haven't ever considered weight distribution or sway control because it tows so well

 

[22E6441]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

Well, I figure my boat tops out at max 2500 fully loaded. I'm tempted to weigh it sometime...anyway...I've only pulled it with our Grand Caravan 3.3 L which we just traded in for an Envoy 4.2 L.

The only reason I'm thinking about trying it is that he gave it to me for nothing.

Never had sway problems before....just curious I guess.

I was over at his place today and made a comment that I needed a new hitch because the old one I have for the van is 1 1/4 and I need 2". He told me not to buy one but to try his thing first.

Honestly, I'm not real comfortable with it because it seems so heavy duty and my rig is so small and light....I dunno....I may try it sometime this year.

It might be overkill, but it would be much safer right? (if it fits)

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

Weight dist. hitches are for heavy loads that causes the tow vehicle to squat when hitched with a standard hitch. The weight dist hitch DISTRIBUTES the weight to all 4 tires on the tow vehicle, reducing the squat. This goes along the lines of HEAVY loads. The tow vehicle has a MAX hitch weight. If you go more than this with a standard hitch, then again, a distributing hitch is in order.

It's recommended to 10% of the total rig (boat and trailer) weight to rest on the hitch. In your case that would be 250 pounds. GMC ENVOY recommends 10-15% tongue weight. Your MAX towing capacity (trailer + boat) is 6k-6600 depending on axle ratio and 2wd or 4wd. This info was gathered from the GMC website on the latest envoy model.

good luck..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

I use a weight distributing hitch and a sway control on my 1/2T Chevy PU towing up to a 7K load. Just be aware that some weight distributing hitches will not allow your surge brake actuater to work properly with the equilizing hitch. A sway control should NOT be used on trailers with surge brakes unless a special adapter is installed.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

I use a weight distributing hitch and a sway control on my 1/2T Chevy PU towing up to a 7K load. Just be aware that some weight distributing hitches will not allow your surge brake actuater to work properly with the equilizing hitch. A sway control should NOT be used on trailers with surge brakes unless a special adapter is installed.

Good point.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Weight distributing / sway control

I have a trailvoy myself..

A 4wd TB with 3.42 gears can tow 5100lbs.
A 4wd TB with 3.73 gears can tow 5500lbs.
A 4wd TB with 4.10 gears can tow 6100lbs.

The trailer tongue weight should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to
a maximum or 400 lbs (181 kg) with a weight carrying
hitch. The trailer tongue weight should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a
maximum of 900 lbs (408 kg) with a weight
distributing hitch.

I was gonna reccomend you over to Trailvoy.com, but I already see your post in the towing section. That site has everything you need to know!