Weight Dist. Hitch Question

[stg2500]

How would a weight Distributing Hitch work with a flat bed trailer when it is empty?



I have a 7000# GVW flat bed that I am considering using a weight distibuting hitch with in order to bring it back within the capacity range of the stock hitch. I understand that you set the tension on the bars with chains. Would there be enough adjustment to change from a loaded to an unloaded trailer? I have used them with Travel Trailers but their weight doesn't change as much as a flatbed.



Would an upgrade to a Class V hitch be a better way to spend the upgrade money?



Thanks for the help.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Just loosen the chains a couple or three links when empty. You may have do experiment depending on the tongue weight of the empty trailer.



Casey

 

[klenger]

If it's real light when empty, just leave them off.

 

[stg2500]

I am guessing that the trailer weighs 1200 - 1500# empty. I wouldn't call it real light since I can't move the tounge by hand.



So the bars would work better than upgrading to a higher capacity hitch? Cost probably would be comparable.

 

[Okie-Go]

When I had my 18ft bumper pull car hauler I would just bareley snug the chains on the hitch. If it is empty I sometimes left them off and couldn't tell teh difference. I did use the sway bar for loaded or unloaded.

 

[Loren]

stg2500,



I also have a flat-bed. I know that 1500 pounds doesn't sound light to you, but your truck barely knows it's there. Your truck will pull six times that weight.



When I'm towing my flat-bed empty, I leave the weight distributing bars off. When it's loaded, I install them and adjust the tension depending on how much weight I'm carrying on the tongue. I do it the same way Casey does. I experiment with different settings until I find one I like. It's not critical.



You will find that you'll like the weight distribution when the trailer is loaded. It sends some of the trailer weight forward to the truck's front axle and maintains good steering. With a large tongue weight and no weight distribution hitch, your steering will suffer.



Loren

 

[CFAR]

What does a class V hitch cost?

Who has the best price on a weight dist hitch?

 

[EricBu12]

On another post, I said I just bought this hitch, a class 5 rated a t 14,000 Weight dist. for $139



Fit perfectly for my 01



http://www.truckxpressions.com/truckaccessories/towingaccessories/surepullhitch07.htm

 

[stg2500]

Eric,



Do you have any pics of the new installation. It looks like a good solution.