TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

Seems every time a question is asked about towing someone is pushing a weight distributing hitch. I crunched some numbers and will admit I have probably oversimplified it somewhat (or even missed something important, please speak up if you know). Also the numbers are from the dodge towing guide and do not account for any load execpt the driver. Below are the results for 1200 lb tongue weight. I’ve figured it for 2400 lbs tongue weight as well, based on the assumption the hitting a large bump can produce 2Gs.

2500 4x4 SLT QC short bed 140.5" wheel base:
Front axle GAWR: 5200 lbs Rear axle GAWR: 6000 lbs

Weight on axles empty:
Front axle: 4140 lbs Rear axle: 2673 lbs

Weight on axles with 1200 lbs on trailer ball (approximately 54” from ball to rear axle centerline):
Front axle: 3678 lbs Rear axle: 4335 lbs

Weight on axles with 2400 lbs on trailer ball:
Front axle: 3216 lbs Rear axle: 5997 lbs
To me the numbers look ok to tow with 1200 lb tongue weight and a standard weight carrying hitch (as long as the receiver is rated that high). I have towed around 9000 lbs without a WD setup and had no complaints. The truck handled it with ease. So what gives? Am I missing something? Why such a hard sell on the WD setups? Looks like the WD hitches that can work with surge brakes are $400-$500 or more. Is it really worth it? Doesn't the added load on the tongue tend to bind up the surge brake setup?

Sure for a truck with a very light front end and/or extremely long rear overhang it would seem a WD hitch is needed. But for diesel equipped rigs with their heavy front ends?

I have personally never understood why so many people think WD hitches are some magical solution to towing problems. Ive towed with 1/2 tons, S10s, F350 DRWs, F350s on 42" tires and many other vehicles. As long as the load is balanced properly, a regular hitch (non WD) will work just fine. With the payloads and towing specs that today's HD pickups have, it shouldnt take much to ever get a load properly balanced. Just my 2 cents.

I believe your missing the point. The idea behind the WD hitch is to equalize the weight across all axles, not just get it off the rear axle of the TV. Ideally, this makes for a much safer and easier to handle setup.

We used one on one of our old vans, maily because of the massive rear overhang. It did make a big difference on the van. When we transfered it to the Tundra, it made a difference, but nowhere near the difference it made on the van. We ended up removing it because it was a pain to get the surge brakes to work properly, the small difference in handling wasnt worth the big headache with the brakes.

Certain vehicles i would recomend it to, but most do not need it.

for 1 thing you can use a lighter duty, hence less expensive receiver with a wd hitch. And not all towable vehicles can be balanced so easily. A 30' camper will be almost always heavy on the tongue if it has a forward mounted water tank. Some people, like my parents, camp at a campground with no utility hookups so they go out with full water tank and empty waste tank. The WD hitch helps immensely. It's also quite helpful when towing with a short wheelbase vehicle.

Another place is with a slide in camper and a extended hitch bar.

i have towed with one once. i stopped on I-8 east half way to el centro from san diego right before the golden acorn casino. a guy had a 1994 ram 3500 extended cab dually with a V-10 in it. his new crate V-10 was overheating, the stealership didnt replace or clean up the thermastat or intake. i towed his toy hauler for him through the mountians to his place and dropped it off. i asked the weight and if he was right on his figures i have towed another TH that was the same weight.

now, after that long story here is the point. the first tow i didnt have WD hitch. trailer towed just fine. no problems at all. the second trailer the guy had a WD hitch. thing towed GREAT. it seemed balanced a bit better is all.

now this all relies on weight figures as well...
are they always needed? no, but if i had a bumper pull i would get a WD hitch
grant