WD hitch if the ride height is level

[johngoat2002]

I have a GMC Sierra Denali that sits lower in the front than in the back unloaded. When the trailer is hitched, the truck has an almost level ride height. It pulls like a champ, but there is some bounce. Will a WD hitch stiffen up the ride? Thanks in advance.

[youroo]

You set the preload on the W/D. Shocks will come into play also to reduce bounce! Youroo!!

[asquared]

What are you towing. We need more info here. Does your Denali have load leveling suspension? What are your weights when hooked up? Have you weighed your setup? Are you handling ok or light on the front end? Etc

[johngoat2002]

My truck does not have load leveling suspension. My camper is a Flagstaff FS26 that weighs about 7500 loaded. I have not had it across the scales, that's just a good guess.

[Twisty]

I suggest that you get a WDH.

[johngoat2002]

And it handles fine. I just have some bounce when I hit some rough roads. I have an anti sway bar on it now that helps with the handling.

[asquared]

At that weight you are approaching 900-1000 lbs tongue weight. Most hitch receivers require wdh over 500 lbs. Definitely get the wdh as you are over your hitch receivers load bearing ratings

[johngoat2002]

That's what I expected. That might be a good Christmas gift to me.😃

[asquared]

Originally Posted by johngoat2002

That's what I expected. That might be a good Christmas gift to me.😃

Go with a wdh with integrated sway control like equal-i-zer or Reese dual cam. I recommend 1200 lb bars. My old tt weighed in at 7300 Lbs loaded, reese dual cam with 1200 lb bars served me well

[johngoat2002]

I'll probably go with a hitch that has a sway bar on it like the one I have now. That way I can have two sway bars.

[Canadiancrew]

Even if the SUV rides level, the weight distribution hitch works like a spring between the TV and the trailer. It will take the bounce out of your ride.

[johngoat2002]

It's actually the truck version, so it's not too bad on the bounce. Just on the concrete roads. But the tongue weight concerns me.

[Canadiancrew]

Sorry just read the Denali part. But doesn't matter SUV or truck the results will be the same. The bars will act like a spring and take the bounce out of the ride.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Canadiancrew

Sorry just read the Denali part. But doesn't matter SUV or truck the results will be the same. The bars will act like a spring and take the bounce out of the ride.

Cars,Trucks,and SUVs have (Coil springs,leaf springs,and torsion bars) they ALL BOUNCE without the Aid of (Shock absorbers)! You will still feel the (Exspansion Joints) with a W/D hitch! Youroo!!

[Roving Ron]

Originally Posted by johngoat2002

I have a GMC Sierra Denali that sits lower in the front than in the back unloaded. When the trailer is hitched, the truck has an almost level ride height. It pulls like a champ, but there is some bounce. Will a WD hitch stiffen up the ride? Thanks in advance.

The reason for installing a WDH is to distribute the tongue weight equally between front and rear axles. If you measure the height of front and rear fender wells before and after hooking up the TT the difference in height should be the same on front and rear. Hence the term Weight Distributing Hitch.

This will reduce hobby horsing.




Grey Nomads, Ron and Sue

[thebrakeman]

Thank you, Ron! I'm glad somebody finally said it.
The need for WDH is not based on feel or even on being level, but on the need to put weight back on the front wheels for stability.

Johngoat - Recommend you read your owners manual, especially the towing section, and see what the requirements are for WDH, then follow them. You are overloading your truck with that trailer, without a WDH....regardless of how things feel.

[YoungKopernik]

I have an ’04 Yukon XL Denali w/air ride leveling, I blew out my air ride/lift shocks towing with a 550 lbs tongue weight after 2 years. When looking at the hitch, it’s rated to a 900lb tongue but after blowing the shocks (600$ from GM) I read the manual. The manual requires WD with tongue weights over 400lbs.
By the way, I ended up going straight to the manufacture of the shocks and paid 300$ for both rebuilt w/life time warranty. My air ride was not covered by GM extended warranty because it was instigated in the shocks and shocks are not coved. My warranty did cover the air compressor, it probably went out because of constant running to try and fill the blown shocks.
While I felt safe towing without WD it does ride significantly better with it. I still don’t run sway control just haven’t seen the need; if money was not an issue…..
I still move my trailer around the yard without WD just not bouncing it down the road. Its been 6 years with new shocks and WD and no problems.
Good luck
John

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Johngoat - Recommend you read your owners manual, especially the towing section, and see what the requirements are for WDH, then follow them. You are overloading your truck with that trailer, without a WDH....regardless of how things feel.

Not necessarily. He didn't say what model Sierra Denali he has. I have a Sierra Denali also,(3500 dually), and I wouldn't be overloaded.


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[johngoat2002]

Thanks Young for the real world comparison. I believe I am overloading the tongue weight because it's a 1500. A good weight distribution hitch is in my near future. I have another question. My TT weight is under 10000 lbs, but I see a lot of ppl with similar trailers get 12000 lbs hitches. Some claim that the ride is compromised when doing this. I would like to hear from ppl who have had both.


2005 Flagstaff FS26
2006 GMC Sierra Denali 6.0L