Is a WDH needed?

[Cummins12V98]

^^^^^^^ My Son towed that exact same trailer with his 15 LB SRW no weight distribution for a couple years many times with the trailer weighing well over 14K.

 

[AH64ID]

I've done similar with my 05, with GCW's up to 26-27K, and no WDH... but I think it would tow better with one. With dumps being shorter than your average travel trailer it's not felt as much.

IMHO it's not about can or cannot but rather a better towing setup.

We put a WDH on our 16' stock trailer that generally weighs in about 10-12K max and it made a noticeable difference in towing. It wasn't bad before it's just better now.

 

[NIsaacs]

IMHO it's not about can or cannot but rather a better towing setup.

We put a WDH on our 16' stock trailer that generally weighs in about 10-12K max and it made a noticeable difference in towing. It wasn't bad before it's just better now.

This is what I keep going back to, these types of comments....if mine don't work I am gonna be mad...Lol..J/K

I used one on my F100 4x2 back in the early '70's towing a 35' park model and with that small pickup it was mandatory. Then I got the Dually and quit using them and then got the '01 and continued without. There are a few things about them that I don't like, however with my Bobcat loaded I don't like it at all, I think 4 years of discomfort is enough. My old dump was too small to haul it so I never experience an overload.

Nick

 

[GAmes]

Other than a stiff ride when the trailer is empty I don't think you'll regret a WDH.

 

[NIsaacs]

Other than a stiff ride when the trailer is empty I don't think you'll regret a WDH.

I wondered about that, I set it just snug by hand, without the extension handle. I assume it will tighten up with a load. I am ready to load my Bobcat I use to dread it.

It is a 1500/15,000 rated hitch, the biggest Summit offered. It is at the lowest setting, I think it might be for a lower pickup because it has about 6" of rise but only 1/2' drop. I had 2" of adjustment in the trailer hitch so I used all that, seems to be just right. I did get the high mount trunnion style bars v/s the under slung round bar style, thinking about ground clearance, especially if I use it on the 4x2 '91. It seems to be really well made.

Nick

 

[AH64ID]

I wouldn't hesitate going one more link, maybe two.

I'm looking forward to your feedback.

 

[GAmes]

Rather than a link or two I suggest tilting the head back about 10 degrees. That will give you a bit more tension, plus the hitch won't bottom out if you go over a rise.

 

[NIsaacs]

Rather than a link or two I suggest tilting the head back about 10 degrees. That will give you a bit more tension, plus the hitch won't bottom out if you go over a rise.

I did tilt it some to get enough clearance for the bars to clear the bottom of the hitch frame rails. With only a 1/2" drop in the hitch adjustment they were too high. I ended up with the long tilt bushing installed. I do have some washers if I need to fine tune it.

It did add 4" of length over my current ball mount which is 2" longer than my original short mount that I used to use. When I broke an identical mount with my sled pulling truck I quit using that style mount. So I am 6" longer than I would like to be. Maybe it is a non issue with this system. I can see where it will increase the steer of the trailer. The short dumps are already too quick. I might look into a new class 5 hitch and mount it 6" farther forward. I am afraid the spare will be in the way but I carry one in the bed also. And maybe I am worried about nothing...

I also need to test the turn clearance of the bars and the vertical channel coupler mount. There is about 2" of clearance to work with.

Do you grease the pivots on your bars? The instructions say do, but I would think that would just collect dirt?

Nick

 

[GAmes]

I just went by the picture for the tilt suggestion. I don't grease the bars on mine and they have yet to show wear. I doubt you'll have a turning radius problem and you will get used to the length.

 

[AH64ID]

I use a little spray lithium on mine a couple times a year and dirt isn't an issue. Mine gets very noisy if I don't grease it.

I also run a shank that is 18" from pin to ball so I go the opposite way on length. I like the long shank for being able to open the tailgate, cross between the truck and trailer room, as well as the increased turning ability... thou the 4 wheeler rack really reduced my turn radius but it would be worse with a standard shank.

This is my current setup.

#ad

 

[AnonEd]

I've towed w/ and w/o WD, occasionally with the same trailer but not at the weights here. According to a friend of mine in automotive legislation if the manufacturer says you have to have WD and something goes wrong, that's when you run into issues with insurance, liability and so on. Be ashamed to have an issue and not be insured for the sake of a minor investment you can set to any level of assist you feel works best.

 

[GAmes]

Be ashamed to have an issue and not be insured.........

That whole premise is nonsense. The insurance company might raise your rates or even deny you renewal if you have a wreck, but they can't arbitrarily not pay. Ever taken five minutes to read your policy? Some have exemptions, but I'll guarantee there isn't a "towing without a WDH" exemption.

 

[AnonEd]

"Some have exemptions, but I'll guarantee there isn't a "towing without a WDH" exemption."

Agreed, poor word choice on my part. My policy only mentions a trailer towed by the car or truck doesn't increase any limits, it's considered the same car, and sprinklings of "legally operated upon a highway" phrases. Not saying insurance won't deny claim or payment, but if they drop you your next insurer may charge more? I was only trying to balance the cost of a WD hitch against the "if" costs where something goes wrong. As for my acquaintance and other attorneys they all said basically the same thing...that if you don't follow manufacturer guidelines (which gets the manufacturer off the hook, leaving you) it will be an uphill argument at best and anyone suing will probably win. Don't know their success rates but in appearances they're doing well.

 

[AnonEd]

"Some have exemptions, but I'll guarantee there isn't a "towing without a WDH" exemption."

Agreed, poor word choice on my part. My policy only mentions a trailer towed by the car or truck doesn't increase any limits, it's considered the same car, and sprinklings of "legally operated upon a highway" phrases. Not saying insurance won't deny claim or payment, but if they drop you your next insurer may charge more? I was only trying to balance the cost of a WD hitch against the "if" costs where something goes wrong. As for my acquaintance and other attorneys they all said basically the same thing...that if you don't follow manufacturer guidelines (which gets the manufacturer off the hook, leaving you) it will be an uphill argument at best and anyone suing will probably win. Don't know their success rates but in appearances they're doing well.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Thanks for everybody's input. Some like WDH,and some don't.
I decided to get the Eaz-lift recurve R3 system. The dealer had them on sale for $299.00. Right or wrong that's what I got. The TT is 8400 lbs dry, cargo allowance is right at 3,000 lbs. I only had a short drive of 35 miles of in town, short hwy drive, and then a pretty twisty road the test of the way, with lots of hills. So it worked good. The trailer tracks my PU real nice. I didn't notice any swaying going on. Not a great test, but it seems to work ok.

 

[GAmes]

I was only trying to balance the cost of a WD hitch against the "if" costs where something goes wrong. As for my acquaintance and other attorneys they all said basically the same thing...that if you don't follow manufacturer guidelines (which gets the manufacturer off the hook, leaving you) it will be an uphill argument at best and anyone suing will probably win. Don't know their success rates but in appearances they're doing well.

Guess they didn't mention that if you are totally "by the book" there is still a lawyer and a tort system that can bankrupt you. It doesn't matter which side the lawyer is on, winner or loser, he will do well.

 

[GAmes]

I didn't notice any swaying going on. Not a great test, but it seems to work ok.

No surprise there. It wouldn't have swayed with a straight WD set either.

I looked them up, a new twist to an old scam, but at least your wallet didn't get burned too badly.

 

[AH64ID]

I am not sure 1,000 lbs is a big enough hitch for a 8,400 lb dry TT.

 

[NIsaacs]

See update here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/256769-Load-Trail-Gooseneck-Dump-Time

Nick

 

[Kirwin]

I use a Reese Dual Cam Sway control WD hitch. Definitely has increased centering force if the trailer is not centered behind the tow vehicle. I have a lot of tounge weight on my TT (1825).

http://www.reeseprod.com/products/weight-distribution/sway-control/xDqAUvNOHeLn4jGugnk0vinEnFq6tMQe