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For example, if the weight distribution system has a 1,000 pound (454 kilogram) tongue weight capacity but the trailer is loaded with only 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of tongue weight with 50 pounds (23 kilograms) of cargo in the trunk of the towing vehicle, you're about 650 pounds (295 kilograms) under the rating.
- How to Avoid Jackknifing
With a trailer jackknife (the trailer wheels lose traction),...
- Gross Trailer Weight
Gross trailer weight is the weight of a fully loaded...
- Tongue Weight
If the tongue of the trailer does not exert enough downward...
- Towing a Trailer
For weight-carrying and weight-distributing hitches, you'll...
- Turn
The same tire tracking principles apply to the trailer as...
- Brake
Braking while towing a trailer can present a challenge for...
- How to Avoid Jackknifing
Sep 11, 2023 · When a trailer is connected to a vehicle using a standard ball mount, the weight of the front end of the trailer is concentrated on a single point at the bac...
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- BWTrailerHitches
Dec 30, 2019 · Anyone that has spent time towing large trailers, knows the intense feeling that happens when your trailer starts to sway and you don’t know if you can get it back under control. One way to help reduce this situation from happening is by using a weight distribution system for your trailer. In order to understand how a weight distribution system works, it is first important to understand the ...
- What Is A Weight Distribution Hitch?
- How Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Work?
- Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Reduce Sway?
- What’s The Difference Between Weight Distribution and Sway Control?
- Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Allow Me to Tow More Weight?
- Is A Weight Distribution Hitch The Answer to All My Towing Concerns?
- How Do I Know If I Need A Weight Distributing Hitch?
- Weight Distribution Hitches to Consider
- Do You Use A Weight Distribution Hitch?
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A weight distribution (or “WD”) hitch is a load-leveling hitch that allows your tow vehicle and travel trailer to work better together to give you a safer (and more pleasant) towing experience. It distributes the weight between the two more evenly to achieve a more level/balanced towing setup. This is why WD hitches are sometimes referred to as loa...
A typical WD hitch employs spring bars to distribute the tongue weight more evenly to the axles of the tow vehicle and travel trailer, making both vehicles more level/parallel with the road. The hitch on your tow vehicle connects to the travel trailer using a hitch ball (sometimes called a trailer ball.) It’s easy to picture what happens when you l...
Weight distribution and sway control go hand-in-hand, so a weight distribution hitch will help reduce sway. For example, as we noted in our recent post addressing the question “What Is a Fifth Wheel?“, towing a fifth wheel provides better handling and control than towing a travel trailer. Much of this is because a 5th wheel’s weight is placed direc...
Note that while there are weight distribution hitches that offer built-in sway control, a sway control bar alone does notoffer weight distribution. As you may recall from our posts on trailer sway control and trailer sway bars, many factors can contribute to trailer sway. These include wind, road conditions, tire pressures, speed, tongue weight, an...
The answer to this question is (sort of) yes and no, but the details are SUPER important. Some Class 3, 4, and 5 receiver hitches have two weight ratings. One is for when a weight distribution hitch is being used, and the other is for when no WD hitch is installed. In this case, it’s possible that the WD hitch can increase the approved weight ratin...
Absolutely not. A weight-distributing hitch can be a band-aid solution to a deeper balance/leveling problem. Let’s talk about why your towing vehicle and travel trailer need to be level in the first place. (It’s all about balance!) If your towing vehicle is sitting either nose-up or nose-down when attached to your travel trailer, this means the wei...
Unless you’re towing one of the smallest rigs (such as a teardrop trailer), most travel trailer owners will experience improvement by using a WD hitch. But without question, use a WD hitch if your travel trailer weighs 50% or more than your tow vehicle weighs. A weight distribution hitch can help reduce trailer sway in high winds or when being pass...
Here are a few popular weight distribution hitches to consider, should you be in the market for one. Be sure to check (and double-check) all specs when ordering any WD hitch, to be sure it’s the best hitch for your particular tow vehicle and travel trailer setup.
Let us know your favorite WD hitch system and why you like it. Are there features that you’ve found contribute to a safe and easy towing experience? Drop us a comment and let us know!
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Check the hitch's ratings to determine your towing capacity with and without weight distribution. Note that only designated Class III, IV, or V hitches may be used with weight distribution systems. You should also note that a weight distribution system does not increase the towing capacity of your vehicle. Your towing system will only be as ...
Nov 6, 2016 · In simple terms, a weight distribution hitch corrects all of this. Rather than the rear axle of the tow vehicle taking on all of the weight of the trailer, a weight distribution hitch transfers the weight evenly across the frame of the trailer and the frame of the tow vehicle. This allows RVers to tow their trailer level.
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Sep 5, 2020 · Weight Distribution. The other thing that a weight distributing hitch does, is transfer the weight from the tongue, to the car’s front axle. This allows your car to handle and break better while towing. The Equal-i-zer system has 4 points of friction that help distribute the weight, while dramatically cutting down on sway.
