Just Out of Curiosity — WDH Use

[nomad297]

Why is it that the only times, ever, that I see a weight distribution hitch being used, it is when somebody is pulling a travel trailer?

I can not recall any time, ever, that I have seen a WDH being used for any other trailer towing situation, and I see a whole lot more big, tall, heavy trailers on the road than I do travel trailers.

Why is this?

Bruce

[Dustyhd]

A RV TT in general requires a higher tongue weight to maintain stability then other trailer types. The RV TT usually has 75% plus of its GVWR in weight that is fixed and not moveable so adjusting loading to some degree is not possible. But regardless of trailer type there usually is a tongue weight limit set by the vehicle manufacturer that requires a WDH.

[babock]

I use one on my boat trailer even though it has a much lower tongue weight than my TT and the total weight is similar. You can tell the difference driving because the steering feels light without it.


Many boat and some other trailers use surge brakes which can get affected by a WDH. I put electric over hydraulic disc brakes on my boat trailer so I don't have a problem.

[Oaklevel]

In the past when I had a half ton pickup. I used my WDH on my box trailer when it was fully loaded and car hauler when traveling long distances. I did not use it if traveling shorter distances or loaded lightly.

With the duelly I no longer use it with the box trailer and my current car hauler is a fifth wheel.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Why is it that the only times, ever, that I see a weight distribution hitch being used, it is when somebody is pulling a travel trailer?

I can not recall any time, ever, that I have seen a WDH being used for any other trailer towing situation, and I see a whole lot more big, tall, heavy trailers on the road than I do travel trailers.

Why is this?

Bruce

Good question. Down here at our cabin in MO. I see...everyday...Horse trailers, Hog trailers, Cow trailers, equipment trailers...just as big...if not bigger than our TT and weigh the same if not more. You never see a WDH on a single one. I personally have "Never" seen a boat trailer with a WDH and I've seen tens of thousands of boat trailers in my lifetime. I'm with you Bruce...Why is this ???

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

I see...everyday...Horse trailers, Hog trailers, Cow trailers, equipment trailers...just as big...if not bigger than our TT and weigh the same if not more. You never see a WDH on a single one. I personally have "Never" seen a boat trailer with a WDH and I've seen tens of thousands of boat trailers in my lifetime.

Exactly what I am talking about!

Bruce

[DieselDrax]

Boat trailers typically only have 5-10% on the tongue due to where most of the weight is, combined with the more rearward positioning of the axles and surge brakes instead of electric brakes and you end up with a configuration that usually doesn't need a WDH but also can't use one anyway due to the surge brakes.

[Dustyhd]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Exactly what I am talking about!

Bruce

I don’t use one on my horse, cargo, or flat deck trailer ever. The reason is I can keep tongue down by adjusting the loading.

[CurtPutnam]

Why do surge brakes obviate the use of a WDH? What are surge brakes?

[Wolverine 1945]

Watching !!!

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

Why do surge brakes obviate the use of a WDH? What are surge brakes?

Surge brakes utilize a sliding coupler that slides in/out of the trailer tongue to actuate the trailer brakes based on how hard the trailer is pushing the tow vehicle. The design of the surge brake tongues isn't compatible with many WDHs. Similarly, the lack of many boat trailer frames not making a "V" as they meet near the coupler makes installing a WDH impossible.


For example...

[babock]

They make adapters for trailers that don't have the V. Certain wdh hitches like the equilizer E4 say they will work because the bats can slide in the perches but won't work as well without a bars. That's why I switched to electric over hydraulic brakes.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...e/RP58393.html

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Dustyhd

I don’t use one on my horse, cargo, or flat deck trailer ever. The reason is I can keep tongue down by adjusting the loading.

Most trailers have a lower enter of gravity and much smaller WIND PROFILE than a travel trailer. Car haulers and even most box trailers have next to no weight above the deck. With proper front to rear Load balance they are not as desperately in need of the weight distribution and sway control as is a travel trailer. That said, I've seen many box trailers with wdh and even morethat are in need of one.

[Tom48]

Here's one even further. Is Chaparral 2300 is a pretty beefy boat to be towing behind the average tow vehicle and even it has an empty weight of only 3940 lbs. throwing in 1000 lb trailer and you're still a lot lighter than most small travel trailers. And a much smaller wind profile.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Tom48

Here's one even further. Is Chaparral 2300 is a pretty beefy boat to be towing behind the average tow vehicle and even it has an empty weight of only 3940 lbs. throwing in 1000 lb trailer and you're still a lot lighter than most small travel trailers. And a much smaller wind profile.

I have a 24' Wellcraft. It weighs empty 4200#. It carries 80 gallons of fuel so that is an additional 480#. Add the 1200# trailer and my gear, batteries, anchor, and stuff I haul in it and its actually pushing close to 6500#. It has around 500# tongue weight or so. A WDH helps a lot with the tow vehicle stability. I get negligible sway when trucks pass.


When I tow it compared to my 6000# TT, it actually feels much lighter because of the smaller cross section and more aero front end.


I own a 23' Pontoon boat too. Even though it weighs less than the Wellcraft, it has way more sway due to the fact it's not as streamlined. No WDH with it.

[oldsmasma]

DS uses a wdh when towing his loaded car hauler behind his motor home.

[Cost4133]

I have WDH on my 36ft enclosed car trailer and on my 20ft open deck. Sometimes when you throw a diesel truck on the trailer, you don't have a choice but to be nose heavy.