| How Do You Know If You Need A Weight | | | | What is does is spreads out the tongue weight force |
| Distribution Hitch? | | | | to all the axles of both the trailer and the tow |
| A weight distribution hitch should be used any time | | | | vehicle. This makes the trailer and your truck level; |
| the trailer weighs more than 50% of the vehicle | | | | you won't have that awkward-looking "V" shape to |
| weight. | | | | the hitch connection area - where in the profile view |
| Why Do You Need a Weight Distribution Hitch? | | | | of your setup the hitch is at the bottom of the "V." |
| Otherwise the tongue weight would be excessive at | | | | Performance is greatly increased as well as the |
| the point where it connects to the back of your | | | | safety. |
| vehicle. The TW or "Tongue Weight" is the force | | | | This is why fifth wheel hitches are inherently better; |
| weight of the trailer's hitch pushing down on your | | | | the trailer weight is concentrated in the center of the |
| vehicle's tow hitch. This lowers the front end of your | | | | truckbed, between the cab of the truck and its rear |
| trailer and the rear of your car or truck, with the | | | | axle. But fifth wheels are for heavier trailer loads - |
| front end of your truck raised up. | | | | not the conventional hitch and ball systems for lighter |
| 4 Disadvantages to NOT having a Weight Distribution | | | | trailers. |
| Hitch: | | | | How To Get The Right Sized One |
| 1. Sloppy Steering | | | | Personally, I would just ask a qualified person - such |
| Without one, the raising of the front of your truck - | | | | as a reputable RV dealer or similarly qualified person |
| with all that extra weight pushing down on your rear | | | | who works with hitches of all sorts on a regular basis. |
| bumper area - often makes your steering sloppy as | | | | But the following are a few guidelines to keep in |
| the front axle now has less weight on it. | | | | mind: |
| 2. Increased Stopping Distance | | | | A weight distribution hitch will have two weight |
| Without it, the stopping distance is increased - much | | | | ratings: GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) and tongue |
| of the braking power of any vehicle comes from the | | | | weight (TW). The GTW capacity of the weight |
| front tires/front axle; take weight off it and you're | | | | distribution hitch system must exceed or equal the |
| asking for trouble. | | | | loaded weight of the trailer. The TW rating listed on |
| 3. Decreased Traction | | | | weight distributing hitches refers to trailer tongue |
| Another disadvantage of NOT having a weight | | | | weight plus the vehicle cargo weight behind the rear |
| distribution hitch is less traction, which only makes | | | | axle. So you can't forget to add the weight you will |
| sense if the front of your truck is not contacting the | | | | have inside your trailer to get your TW - don't just |
| road very well. | | | | figure the empty weight of your trailer. |
| 4. Increased Trailer Sway | | | | How do you get the GTW? |
| With the bulk of the weight of the trailer and vehicle | | | | The best and most reliable way is to put everything |
| weight concentrated on the hitch ball area, the rear | | | | in your trailer that you will be actually towing, and |
| of the trailer - much like the front of your truck - has | | | | drive it onto a vehicle scale. |
| less weight and traction on it, making it prone to | | | | How do you get the TW? |
| fish-tail. | | | | For smaller trailers, you can just weigh the tongue on |
| How Do Weight Distribution Hitches Work? | | | | a bathroom scale with the trailer loaded. But a quick |
| They add spring bars to the hitch system to apply | | | | rule of thumb is that your TW is usually equal to 10 |
| leverage between the tow vehicle and the trailer. | | | | to 15 percent of your GTW. |