Weight Distribution hitch

[Lucky Penny]

Does anyone have any experience with the pro's and Con's of using a WDH. I know what the dealers and manufactoriers say in there ad's, But I would like some feedback before I start purchasing stuff.

 

[bob1340]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

Does anyone have any experience with the pro's and Con's of using a WDH. I know what the dealers and manufactoriers say in there ad's, But I would like some feedback before I start purchasing stuff.

I've never seen one on a boat, but I am sure folks with large boats use them. I have used them with travel trailers and they work well. They need to be set up correctly and within the specs of the hitch and vehicle.

What vehicle do you intent to mount it on and how much hitch weight?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

I use one but I also have electric/hydraulic brakes. There are certain makes that claim that they work ok with surge brakes because the bars allow the trailer to still move forward. The problem with most distributing hitches is that the equalizing bars tend to hold the trailer back from allowing the surge unit to operate.

 

[109jb]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

As mentioned above, there is a specific make/model of WD Hitch that says it works with surge brakes. The link is below. As for if they work and are worth it, I say absolutely. I have a 12,000 pound capacity trailer and have had it behind my 2003 Duramax at very near that weight. I use a WD hitch on it anytime I am over about 6,000 pounds. You can definitely feel the difference. When the trailer weight gets up there I also use a sway control. My buddies and I have also towed an enclosed 27 foot snowmobile trailer that fully loaded is about 7,000 pounds. We used an Excursion to tow it and the first trip was scarry. I mean white knuckle scarry. The next trip I made a brackket to use my WD reese hitch and sway control and it is now like night and day. I highly recommend them. Here's that link:

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/support/faq.php

 

[dingbat]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

My buddies and I have also towed an enclosed 27 foot snowmobile trailer that fully loaded is about 7,000 pounds. We used an Excursion to tow it and the first trip was scarry. I mean white knuckle scarry. The next trip I made a brackket to use my WD reese hitch and sway control and it is now like night and day. I highly recommend them. Here's that link:

I suspect it has more to do with the windage of the trailer than the weight. We pull my #6000+ boat with a friend's diesel Excursion several times a year. Nothing white knuckle about it. Pulls like dream.

 

[109jb]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

I suspect it has more to do with the windage of the trailer than the weight. We pull my #6000+ boat with a friend's diesel Excursion several times a year. Nothing white knuckle about it. Pulls like dream.

The point is that the WD and sway control made it a totally different rig. I personally think it was mostly the WD hitch putting more weight up front on the steering axle of the truck. The sway control probably helped some too, but the biggest problem was more with the bobbing of the truck rather than sway IMO. It isn't my trailer but my personal opinion is that the axle on this particular trailer is too far back. It has a lot of tongue weight. Unfortunately the axles can't be moved due to how it is constructed and you can only do so much with how you load the snowmobiles. It pulls good without a WD hitch if its hooked up to my GMC 2500HD or my buddies F350, and great if the WD is installed.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

I use one also, my boat/trailer is about 6300. The torsion bars connect to the trailer via chains wich allows for full movement of the coupler/brake cylinder. Works very well, my Avalance doesn't get pushed around at all.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

I use one also, my boat/trailer is about 6300. The torsion bars connect to the trailer via chains wich allows for full movement of the coupler/brake cylinder. Works very well, my Avalance doesn't get pushed around at all.

The problem with the chains is that it does affect how the brake coupler works since the chains do prevent the coupler from sliding. The trailer wants to slide forward but the chains are working against it.

A lot depends on the coupler and how much travel is required to fully actuate the master cylinder.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

The problem with the chains is that it does affect how the brake coupler works sionce the chains do prevent the coupler from sliding. The trailer wants to slide forward but the chains are working against it.

Nope not at all with mine. There's 4" of swing in the chains with my set up. The chain to torsion bar to the mount is about 8" I'll try to find a pic.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

This is from the Titan Manual. If the chains are long enough(as Dockwrecker appears to have), you can use them.
http://www.rockettrailers.com/pdf/titan model 6 manual.pdf


8. Weight distributing (equalizing) hitches have been an important part of trailering for many years. They shift excess tongue weight from the end of the tow vehicle by distributing it across all vehicle and trailer axles.
Leveling the tow vehicle and the trailer reduces the stress on the suspension components and increases towing stability.

All TITAN surge brake actuators are fully compatible with equalizing hitches. When using weight distributing
hitches with TITAN actuators, observe the following rules:
1) Allow six to eight inches of free chain length,
2) The chains must be vertical (straight up and down) under pulling load, and
3) Tongue weight beyond the specified actuator rating WILL interfere with brake
performance.
The above statement summarizes TITAN's three "rules of thumb" for equalizer/actuator compatibility. Each rule contributes to optimum trailer braking.

RULE #1: Allow six to eight inches of free chain length. This means that the equalizer's chains must be at least six to eight inches long between the spring bars and the hook-up brackets (which attach the chains to the
trailer). Surge brake actuators must be free to compress their internal master cylinder. Shorter lengths of chain will limit the distance the actuator can move, and this restricts the unit's braking.

RULE #2: The chains must be vertical (straight up and down) under pulling load. During towing, these chains must be aligned straight up and down. This should be confirmed on level ground with the trailer coupled (using the equalizing hitch) to the tow vehicle. After checking that the actuator is in its towing position (not compressed), adjust the position of the hook-up brackets on the trailer until the chains are vertical. If the chains are angled forward or back on the TITAN actuator, they have a tendency to either impede the braking action by limiting the distance the actuator can stroke or prematurely apply the brakes by pulling the trailer forward relative to the tow vehicle_.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

Well! Looks like I've got one thing right today! Time for a beer! (I'll even have one for Bruce...)

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

Of course some of the questions that should be asked:

How heavy of a boat and trailer are you towing?

What vehicle are you towing with?

Does your trailer have brakes? if so, which type, electric/hydraulic or just hydraulic surge?

Without knowing this, it is really hard to make any recommendations...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

Well! Looks like I've got one thing right today! Time for a beer! (I'll even have one for Bruce...)

Have two for me while you are at it

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

For those who doubt the effectiveness of a weight distributiing hitch, one of the major manufacturers used a front wheel drive Olds Toronado in the sixties to demonstrate how this worked. You can snug up the bars so the rear wheels could be removed from the Olds. The obviously didn't drive the car that way but it very aptly illustrated the effectiveness. That my friends is weight "re"-distribution (sort of like the current administration tax plan.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

I don't think anyone doubts the effectiveness of the WDH system, after all of the years I have towed and when I worked in the RV business, installing these systems, I know 100% for a fact they work and they work very well.

But without more information, we are shooting blanks, need to know the guys particulars to make the best recommendation, because there are several different systems out there recommended for different circumstances.

And if I remember right, there was an ad running around in the early 80's that they did drive a front wheel drive Cadillac with a trailer hooked up to it and the rear wheels removed..

 

[109jb]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

The OP didn't ask for any kind of recommendation on what to buy. He only asked what the pros and cons of a WD hitch were. I don't need to know diddly about his trailer, tow vehicle, or hat size to tell him they work and work well.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

Ok! LT,

But it seems to me, in my experience, when people starting asking questions, they have a certain purpose in mind, I am sorry to have ruffled feathers, with my experiences..

But in reading my last post, I did state, they work and they work GOOD! But who am I to say, I am only a Petty officer, 2nd class!



I really don't understand what is up with some people on this system! Has it always been this way around here? I hope not, I have learned a whole bunch by asking questions, and it seems to me others are seeking that knowledge as well....go figure..

 

[Lucky Penny]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

OK, OK, The spec's are
Tow Vehicle: 2009 silverado V8 w/ 3.42 rearend
the trailer is for a 24.5 foot express cruiser. Dry weight is listed at 4200# I figure with all of the equipment on board pluse 50% fuel (60G) and empty water tank the boat estimate (high) is about 5500# the trailer weighs in at 1250#, that is 6750# (+/-)

I am looking at long hauls (several hundred miles) and although I have no problems locally, I want the extra protection that the WDH seem (and enforced by the above) to offer.

Any other help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

Lucky,

Yes, you will benefit from the right WD set up, just make sure to get the one that works correctly with your brake set up, but distributing the weight across the whole vehicle platform(truck and trailer) will make a world of difference in how it tows, you will be amazed..

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Weight Distribution hitch

OK, OK, The spec's are
Tow Vehicle: 2009 silverado V8 w/ 3.42 rearend
the trailer is for a 24.5 foot express cruiser. Dry weight is listed at 4200# I figure with all of the equipment on board pluse 50% fuel (60G) and empty water tank the boat estimate (high) is about 5500# the trailer weighs in at 1250#, that is 6750# (+/-)

I am looking at long hauls (several hundred miles) and although I have no problems locally, I want the extra protection that the WDH seem (and enforced by the above) to offer.

Any other help will be greatly appreciated.

You're a tad bit heavier than me. Mine's a 5.3 Avalanche with 3.73's and does pretty well. I can hold about 52 mph up a 5% grade (common around here) and no troubles whatsoever going down the same. Stable as a rock on all other terrain, I can even sleep while my wife drives it. Well worth doing.