Advisibility of using weight distribution hitch: pros and cons

[Bob Miller]

[NOTE: Posts below re: WDH digressed from original thread subject in which they appeared. "Post #24" contained mention of WDH only and was retained in original thread. New Thread title chosen by moderator. 01-10-2013]


Per post #24
What's a "Weight Reduction Hitch" and how does it work?
I wanna get one of those so I can pull a larger trailer with my Honda.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Per post #24
What's a "Weight Reduction Hitch" and how does it work?
I wanna get one of those so I can pull a larger trailer with my Honda.

[deryk]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Per post #24
What's a "Weight Reduction Hitch" and how does it work?
I wanna get one of those so I can pull a larger trailer with my Honda.

Well a weight distribution hitch will spread the tongue weight between the 2 axles. My Rav4 has a soft rear end meant to lure In the minivan moms lol. So the wdh will stop the rear end of my Rav4 from squatting. I am well within my tow capacity...if you look at my album you will see the picture with me hooked up with my drivers door open....the load would spread evenly and maybe drop it an inch not like 3 or 4.
deryk

[RogerDat]

Weight reduction may have meant weight distribution hitch which uses spring bars to transfer some of the hitch weight to the frame and thus the front wheels of the TV. Helps control the tendancy of the trailer to lift the TV front tires when braking.

Does not really increase towing capacity as much as it improves handling of the rated tow capacity.

Decent explanation bottom of this page:
Trailer Hitch & Towing Guide

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Thassssssss right!

Francesca

[Carol H]

Bob, if before buying the Weight Distribution Hitch you might want to check your Honda's manual first. Some vehicle manufactures dont support the use of them on some models.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by RogerDat

Weight reduction may have meant weight distribution hitch which uses spring bars to transfer some of the hitch weight to the frame and thus the front wheels of the TV...

... and to the trailer axle. The proportion of load transferred to the tug front axle versus the trailer rear axle is determined solely by the ratio of the tug's wheelbase to the distance from rear axle to trailer axle.

Originally Posted by RogerDat

Decent explanation bottom of this page:
Trailer Hitch & Towing Guide

The Class 3 and higher hitch class limits are all wrong in this page. The description of other features are questionable as well. The limits are not an opinion item: the classes are defined by VESC V-5 and SAE J684... but that's not why this link was provided.

The description on this page incorrectly omits load transfer to the trailer axle (as above). I think it's a poor description, but this is not the thread for a hitch discussion anyway.

[Bob Miller]

Hmmmm... I guess Francesca and I were the only ones that got the punch line about a "weight reduction" hitch. LOL (maybe?)

BTW: We use a Weight Distribution hitch with the Coleman 171 when it is connected to the Yukon TV, but not on the others trailers or TV's.

[deryk]

Sorry for the confusion... weight distribution hitch... although I am thinking of trying airbags... alot of ppl on the rav4 forum say it works fine for them and for $85 dollars or so its not so pricey... but then again an Anti sway bar would still be handy...

deryk

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Hmmmm... I guess Francesca and I were the only ones that got the punch line about a "weight reduction" hitch. LOL (maybe?)
.

totally missed that! Funny part is I actually took a second look at your profile as I thought it a bit odd of a question coming from you, based on trailer ownership.

[Bob Miller]

No problem Deryk, we were just havin' a little fun along the way....

[rabbit]

[OT] The air bags will do fine to stiffen the suspension, Deryk. Good savings; no risk to frame. [OT]

jack

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

... and to the trailer axle. The proportion of load transferred to the tug front axle versus the trailer rear axle is determined solely by the ratio of the tug's wheelbase to the distance from rear axle to trailer axle.


...
The description on this page incorrectly omits load transfer to the trailer axle (as above). I think it's a poor description, but this is not the thread for a hitch discussion anyway.

Was not trying to provide in depth info on selecting a hitch, just some clairification on WD hitch without making poster read really long article on the subject. Plus page had the cute image of trailer and TV with and without WDH!

Was intended to clarify that WDH allows for better control but does not really "increase tow capacity" by a significant amount as it is not a weight reduction hitch as originally called.

Left out the need to factor in the weight behind TV rear axle from cargo or passengers as part of the equation also. Or potential for anti-sway enhancement that it appears OP is aware of.

[David Tilston]

In regards to a weight distribution hitch, I was surprised by some corispondance I had with Tom Young, the owner of TrilliumRV. He in very clear terms told me not to use one. The frame of the trailer is not designed for it. As Brian B-P pointed out the weight is also distributed to the axle on the trailer and this puts quite a strain on the tongue of the trailer.
Air bags on your rear suspension make much more sense. That way when not towing, the air can be released and the mini van moms still enjoy the ride to soccer. It should be noted that air bags do not increase the towing capacity of your vehicle.

[David Tilston]

The discussion of weight distribution hitches should be moved from this thread, to the Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear group.

[deryk]

Im guessing my tongue weight is around 260lbs... its 220 dry add 40lbs propane now i have 2 batteries but they are in the rear behind the axle
I haven't tried it with water in the tank...will do that to see the change in tongue weight full or empty

Deryk

[rabbit]

Give thought to David's advice. A bent frame is a heartbreaker!

Jack

[deryk]

Well Chandler at ParkLiner didn't think it would be a problem... but i wonder how 20 gallons of water on the otherside of the axle will effect the tongue weight?

[Francesca Knowles]

The fact that weight distributing hitches do NOT increase load capacity cannot be overemphasized, in my opinion.

In fact, the addition of such a setup can actually reduce available weight-carrying capacity of the tongue since w/d hitches tend to weigh more than conventional setups. That extra poundage must be taken into account when judging if one is within the hitch weight limits of the tow vehicle.

Francesca

P.S.

I think it's already been said, but:
Air bags don't increase weight-carrying capacity either, though they may smooth out the ride a bit.

F.

[deryk]

The airbags in my case would limit compression of the rear springs which is a known issue in Rav4's...the wdh will add to the tongue weight but will spread the load out to the other 2 axles... does not increase towing capacit.


Deryk