Do I need a weight distributing hitch???

[Rocketdoc]

I've been towing my large popup and 7x12 cargo trailer (singly, not doubling) for 30 years, but am now buying our first TT, a 21 foot Salem that I must pick up 275 miles away from home. It's 4000 lb dry, tandem axle, with a 500 lb tongue weight. I've got a 2500 Quad-cab Cummins with a Prodigy brake controller and class V hitch. I will be buying a weight distributing hitch with sway control for this trailer once I decide on which one (probably the twin-cam type) but I will not have it in time for for this weekend's pickup of the TT.



Opinions please on whether I can safely tow the TT home without WDH and sway control? I'll be mostly on interstates, but part of the trip will be on 2-lane state roads. The previous owner said it towed fine on the ball on his 1/2 ton without a WDH.



I know a WDH is ultimately the right way to go, but for this one trip driving reasonable speeds am I taking undue risk?



Thanks.

 

[Grunt]

Go for it!! You shouldn't have a problem, I wouldn't try to set any speed records tho

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I can't imagine that you would hve any difficulty with this. My boat is about 5k, tandem axle, and I have yet to get ANY trailer sway. JMO, but I probably wouldn't even bother adding the WDH, your truck almost out weighs that trailer 2 to 1.

 

[dmurdock]

If it really ends up being 500lb tongue weight I don't think you'll even need a WD hitch.

 

[JayWm]

+1 for all the above comments.



I've towed a 20 foot enclosed race trailer at 7k with dead weight on the tongue and had no issues. I do use my bars now as it gives a smoother overall ride for truck and trailer.



Jay

 

[JSienkowski]

Weight wise I would say you don't need a WDH, what I did when I bought my 33' Prowler is I towed it deadweight a couple of times, got tired of feeling like I was on a rocking horse and the added the WDH with dual cam sway control, MUCH BETTER. If you've been towing as long as you have you will know what feels good or bad, just take your time and enjoy!

 

[DLane]

I've been towing my large popup and 7x12 cargo trailer (singly, not doubling) for 30 years, but am now buying our first TT, a 21 foot Salem that I must pick up 275 miles away from home. It's 4000 lb dry, tandem axle, with a 500 lb tongue weight. I've got a 2500 Quad-cab Cummins with a Prodigy brake controller and class V hitch. I will be buying a weight distributing hitch with sway control for this trailer once I decide on which one (probably the twin-cam type) but I will not have it in time for for this weekend's pickup of the TT.



Opinions please on whether I can safely tow the TT home without WDH and sway control? I'll be mostly on interstates, but part of the trip will be on 2-lane state roads. The previous owner said it towed fine on the ball on his 1/2 ton without a WDH.



I know a WDH is ultimately the right way to go, but for this one trip driving reasonable speeds am I taking undue risk?



Thanks.

I would be surprised if you even know it's behind you. Hook it up check your lights and tires and take it home... .

 

[rluft]

Weight distributing hitch, probably not. Sway control, yes. If for no other reason than a little insurance when passing trucks.

 

[JCasper]

Two weekends in a row I have hauled hay from eastern oregon to the valley over here. The first trip I did my truck weighed 20,500 lbs loaded. I had hay in the truck and also on the trailer. The trailer weight was about 11,500 lbs. I towed it with out a weight distributing hitch because it was being used on the horse trailer. I did not have a problem at all. Truck towed it great. The next trip I did I used the w/d hitch and it made the trip a little smoother, but I didn't have any sway either time. Your truck shouldn't hardly feel that trailer.

 

[RDelissen]

so how did it go? And did you have the right size ball with you (no pun intended)? Is it a 2 5/16"?



And I must say that even on a 3/4 ton Dodge the WDH does make a difference while towing ...