Weight distributing hitch or not ?

Hitch Pin · 08-25-2012, 06:46 PM

Hi All!

I was wondering if I need to use a WD hitch or not . I tow with a 2012 Silverado LT 1500 4X4 with a 5.3 engine, it also has the hd towing package.

I tow a 2012 Coachmen Freedom Express LTZ 191 RB.

I do have a Eaz lift with 600 lb. bars and a sway control, please take a look at the Specifications and tell me what you think.

SPECIFICATIONS

Hitch Weight 364 lbs.

Base Weight 3,390 lbs.

GVWR 5,700 lbs.

Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,310 lbs.

Exterior Length 22' 3"

Exterior Height 10' 3"

Exterior Width 96"

Thanks !

OldCoot · 08-25-2012, 07:35 PM

I would use the WDH, if for nothing else but the sway control. It would also help the ride of the truck.

MtnGuy · 08-25-2012, 08:19 PM

I would use it. I betcha that tongue weight is actually over 500 lbs., or at least should be if you are near the GVWR.

If you already have the WDH with sway control, why not use ??

PHS79 · 08-25-2012, 08:20 PM

We had a 2001 Kodiak K215 that was almost the same exact specs as your camper, we had it for almost 3 years. I towed it with my 04 F150 FX4 5.4L. I never used a WD hitch and it towed great! With that being said, if you already have a WD hitch you might as well use it....

Twisty · 08-25-2012, 08:39 PM

I would use it.

**bikendan** · 08-25-2012, 08:46 PM

your owner's manual will give a trailer weight or tongue weight amount, that will require using a WDH.
my '07 Avalanche's manual did.

MIFireman · 08-25-2012, 08:51 PM

Once you figure in your Gross weight fully loaded, it wouldn't hurt to put the hitch on. I don't know about your Chevy, but my Classic model squats with 300 lbs. in the back of it. I'm considering even putting Firestone Air Bags. But then again, our trailer is over 30 feet long. If you have it, use it. Definitely won'y hurt. Happy Trails man!

troyt · 08-25-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I would use it. I betcha that tongue weight is actually over 500 lbs., or at least should be if you are near the GVWR.

If you already have the WDH with sway control, why not use ??

X2

GASPEDDLER · 08-25-2012, 10:07 PM

Tow your rig with and without WDH and then decide. I think you will find that using it is the way to go. While my set up is different than yours, if I'm towing a long distance I use it. The difference is noticeable, especially the sway control. That being said, most of my pulls are to the coast which is only 30 minutes away. When I tow that short a distance I use this solid drawbar and leave the WDH at home.

wyo700 · 08-25-2012, 11:19 PM

Use it.

millerghr · 08-30-2012, 09:29 PM

A must for use.

Road-King · 08-30-2012, 09:36 PM

I think that if you don't use it, you may someday wish you had... Just saying...

TeresaInCAL · 08-30-2012, 10:45 PM

Exactly, why leave the question IF you're towing safely? You never know what kind of trouble you might come across, and isn't it better to be safe?

crasher · 08-31-2012, 07:54 AM

I'd say it's un-necesary. You shouldn't need sway control for a trailer of that size considering your truck. You should also be good for 1000lb tongue weight, so WD is probably not needed unless you get alot of sag. Measure your wheel arch to the ground before you hook the trailer on. And then after. I suspect it will only drop around an inch. If its 2 to 3 inches, you might want to consider it.

I tow my Surveyor Sport 189 (20' long) - it's loaded weight is around 4500lbs and tongue is 400-500 loaded. I don't use WD or sway as it is fine without it pulling with my Suburban. Before I got my airbags, the Sub would drop about 2 inches. Now it's only 1 inch. But that is a vehicle with a car suspension, not the big leaf springs you have in your truck.

I think you'll be fine, and not using these things is alot simpler and quicker if you don't really need them. As others have said, take it out for a quick tow and see how you like it. Since you have the hardware, you can easily hook it up if you need it.

OldCoot · 08-31-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeresaInCAL

Exactly, why leave the question IF you're towing safely? You never know what kind of trouble you might come across, and isn't it better to be safe?

X2, It makes no sense at all to even think of NOT using everything to prevent or lessen load or sway while towing just to save a few minutes time in hooking up. I personally am not that pressed for time.

arlee453 · 08-31-2012, 08:30 AM

First, I would check your TV owner's manual. It will tell you at what weight the WD hitch is required. Having said that, I would recommend the WD for any long trips, especially. It will tow better and will be safer.

Our first TT was a popup that we were towing behind the minivan (yeah, I know...crazy). We had a WD hitch as it was needed with that TV.

We pretty quickly thereafter upgraded to the Exped as a TV. The trailer was WAAAAY under the weight that requires WD (6200lbs on the Exedition), and since the WD hitch was not adjusted right for the Exped, and I didn't have the right tools to adjust (and it was time to leave when I figured all this out) I just got a plain straight hitch/ball to use.

So I towed the popup with just a regular hitch for a few short trips and for short runs in good weather it was fine. Then we took it from NC to Baton Rouge, LA and back. That light trailer bounced all over the road behind my Expedition at speeds above 55, especially when passing Semis and if it got windy. While it was techincally 'safe' it was nerve wracking to say the least. It felt like we were getting sucked into every semi we passed.

If we hadn't traded in the popup I was going to take in the WD hitch to my dealer to adjust for me to use with the Expedition - there was no way I was going to tow that popup without that sway bar again for any distance.

Of course with the larger trailer we are over the 6200lb point where WD is required, so we use it all the time now.

That's my experience in towing with and w/out WD...

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