WD Hitch Question

[Mark.Smith]

I'm towing an empty 24' Pace enclosed car trailer cross country. It has a WD hitch but since its empty, should I use the bars and chains or would it be better to not use them until there is more weight on the tongue? I was going to just use the friction sway control bar and only use the bars and chains when I load it. Any advice is appriciated.

 

[Crowhurst]

The 1998 owner's manual states that load distribution bars and sway control are required for tongue weights over 350 pounds.

Nick.

 

[Todd T]

you will need to run them and probably use a link or two more chain when empty than when loaded. the object is to get the load distributed evenly but not raise the front end of the truck more than half an inch and not lower the rear past level on the truck and trailer. the trailer should be perfectly level when set up properly and the front end of the truck should not rise or lower more than 1/2 inch.



once you load it you will have to figure out how many links to use to have it carry the load properly. if you haul the same vehicle all the time you'll just learn to know which number of links to use when its loaded and empty.



for a camper it easy cause its always the same weight or close to it. if i carry a full load of water 110 gallons (110gX8. 34lbs/g=917lbs) and have all our ATV's and bikes in back for a long 3day + weekend i have to use one less link than when just out for a weekend ride and a small load of water or none at all.

 

[HBarlow]

I don't disagree with any of the information and advice offered above but there is another consideration that is frequently overlooked. It is the unladen weight distribution of our Cummins-powered Rams. I don't have the figures here in front of me but I think the weight distribution of our trucks when empty is approximately 65% on the front axle and 35% on the rear axle because of the heavy Cummins engine. The tongue weight of a heavy trailer resting on the hitch ball actually provides improved winter traction and better handling.



A related comment: I was unhappy with the constant need for steering correction on my truck early in the ownership experience but soon realized that when pulling a heavy travel trailer it tracks straight and true with little correction needed. As everyone knows, a 2wd Ram dually rides high in the rear when unloaded. Apparently the factory front end alignment is such that the alignment is correct when loaded but causes wander when unloaded.



Harvey