Weight distribution hitch

[Borrego Dave]

Just wondering if you've ever tried towing your trailer without the WDH? You may find that you don't need it after all. I don't need or use one with my SD 17 which is tongue heavy and really would not like to add an extra 40lbs or so at the hitch if it wasn't really needed. I'd certainly give it a good road test before replacing it. Also, I see all kinds of WDH's on Craig's list pretty cheap if you do find that you need one. OK, that's my 2 cents worth .

[redbarron55]

I think the most important safety item is an engaged brain! The truck video is the perfect example.
Engage brain before engaging with towing anything. A careless idiot can wreck anything.

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[Dudley]

I just bought a DSP WD400 hitch last month from the factory here in Edmonton, $250. They are shutting the doors as they cannot compete against the chinese stuff coming in. My neighbor has one of their hitches that is 25 years old so very good stuff. Sad to see it go, just about every hitch I see in town is one of theirs. You may want to check out Kijiji in your area and you may get lucky and find a used one or a pair of DSP arms

[Uplander]

If you are anywhere near a Harbor Frieght Tool store you might look at their weight distribution hitch @ $199. Check it out on line before you spend a fortune on one!

They do ship but the weight might result in a very heavy shipping charge!

Good Lick.

[Bob Miller]

Hmmmm... Just a thought... I was looking at the pics you posted and notice that the difference in the bars was with them hanging down. Is the difference the same when each is held UP and seated in position with only hand pressure. UP is the position they will be in when in use. There is a possibility that they seat differently at rest than when in use. Give it a try, that's free....

[Michael Collins]

Bob I did apply upward pressure and measured the difference at 3" exactly. The difference is in the angle of the spring bar.

I towed the new to me Bigfoot 150km without the wdh after we lost the spring bar. It towed perfectly fine, but I wasn't breaking any speed records.

I've been looking at used hitches as well, but most seem like they are for heavy trailers. I read somewhere that some mention you can run a heavy hitch, you just don't crank down the spring bars as much.

I'll see what DSP comes back with shortly.


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[MC1]

The right WDH relates to the tongue weight, type and wheel base of the tow vehicle etc. What is your TV Mike?

For lightweight trailers the Easy Lift brand is very forgiving on frames etc.

[Michael Collins]

TV is a 2008 Toyota Tacoma 4wd long box with tow package. Rated to tow 6500lbs very generously.


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[MC1]

Mike, Nice! The WDH will add stability and for the most part, when you need it most. With the size of the trailer the bars should be on the lighter side.

[Michael Collins]

Ordered a new hitch through DSP. After shipping back my reject spring bar I'm only getting $30 for it, but they are only charging me $35 to ship me a whole new complete hitch. Not bad considering it weighs close to 80lbs. They suggested the 600 model. I think that translates to tongue weight. The lesser option is 400. I've read that loaded tongue weight on the Bigfoot 17 is around 350 with battery and 2 full propane tanks. I guess the option is you don't need to really crank down the bars with the 600 setup.


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[MC1]

Originally Posted by Michael Collins

They suggested the 600 model. I think that translates to tongue weight. The lesser option is 400. I've read that loaded tongue weight on the Bigfoot 17 is around 350 with battery and 2 full propane tanks. I guess the option is you don't need to really crank down the bars with the 600 setup.


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Wonder why they suggested the 600, the 400lb model seems right??

[Michael Collins]

Not sure. They said the 550 that I have now translates into the 600. I'll research some more to find out tongue weight on the Bigfoot b17.


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[MC1]

Sounds good Mike. Generally speaking you match up the LB rating to the tongue weight. But if you have a vehicle with a very long wheelbase you would go with a higher rated bar. If the vehicle has a very short wheel base then one would consider a lighter weight bar.

[Michael Collins]

Tongue weight seems to range 300-400 lbs for the Bigfoot 17b. My truck does have a long wheelbase since it's the double cab long box model. I'll give the owner of DSP all of this info and see what he says. Thank you for all the help.


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