Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Will Sabel
A weight distribution hitch is not required or used by every traveler. It can be difficult to make tight turns because of the additional time required to hook up and unlatch.
When towing a trailer, however, it can greatly improve your driving experience. These hitches can help keep your ride safe when you’re towing a lot of extra weight. For years, weight distribution hitches have become the go-to option for trouble-free towing.
They can mean the difference here between pleasant towing knowledge and a less-than-pleasant one, particularly in poor weather, on rough roads, or even when weight is an issue.
Inadequate weight distribution is a major contributor to road accidents.
What Is a Weight Distribution Hitch?
A weight distribution hitch is indeed a tool that helps your vehicle and trailer connect in a balanced manner. When the trailer weighs over 50 percent of the gross vehicle weight rating of the towing vehicle, this is extremely crucial.
This weight imbalance will interfere with your ability to steer, control sway, and even avoid dangerous angles while driving.
See Also: How Weight Distribution Hitch Works?
What Is the Purpose of a Hitch for Weight Distribution?
The weight of the element you are towing in addition to the trailer it is on ought to be taken into account. Towing a double axel trailer with a vehicle on it, for instance, is probable to exceed 5k pounds of towing weight.
Because pull-in the back of campers are normally over 5k pounds, towing them will nearly surely necessitate the usage of a weight distribution hitch.
Measuring the vehicle’s unladen front and rear heights, in addition to the trailer’s stage front and rear heights is any other manner to help you in making your decision. Then, from the middle top of the mudguards closer to a set factor at the wheel, degree the width of your tow tug’s mudguards.
Take the measurements of the one once more as soon as you’ve got hitched up to peer if there is a distinction of greater than 20mm. A hitch would be then required.
What’s The Point Of Getting A Hitch for Weight Distribution?
It improves safety, plain and simple. The weight is evenly distributed over the axles of the trailer when the weight-distributing hitch is properly set up, giving you greater stability and control.
It also provides a more level ride for the tow vehicle and trailer. A squatting truck and also trailer connection is not only unsightly, but it can also be hazardous.
When the tow vehicle and the trailer squat, the brakes and steering will not react as quickly, and your headlights will not illuminate the road directly ahead of you; instead, they would point higher into the clouds.
Minor bumps and dips are also amplified, making bottoming out more likely. Finally, the trailer can sway more and has more body roll. While it is well known that the use of weight-distributing hitches is low, the reality is that it should be much higher.
How much would they cost?
Depending on the quality and size, a weight distribution hitch could range from $200 to $420. Square bars are used in higher-end hitches, but round bars provide the best clearance when connecting the trailer to the vehicle.
Cheaper hitches aren’t always the most stable, and they don’t always come with all of the necessary accessories, such as shank and ball.
The more pricey hitches are typically heavy or sleek and have advanced design features.
The Summary
A weight distribution hitch changes the point at which the trailer’s load is transmitted to the vehicle. It’s used to keep the trailer’s tongue weight within a safe range of 10 to 15% of the total load.
This lowers the risk of losing control. It prevents the trailer from swaying uncontrollably due to insufficient weight. During a heavy tow, this device helps to relieve some of the massive stress on the vehicle’s bumper.
This is critical to protect your vehicle investment. Apart from that, maneuverability and safety are the most important factors.
Finally, in some instances, these hitches are mandated by law.
Frequently Asked Question
What comes if your tongue is too hefty?
A hefty tongue could overload the towing vehicle’s rear tires, and make the vehicle’s rear end spin. If this occurs, it will be hard to control the vehicle; edges or curves could become harder to steer, and braking may be less responsive.
Is a weight-distribution hitch useful for towing?
No, your vehicle’s towing capacity will not be increased by a weight-distribution hitch. It’s critical to stay within your vehicle’s towing capacity for the safety and the safety of other road users.
Is the tongue weight affected by the WDH?
The tongue weight of a trailer will not be affected by a WDH. When rated for weight distribution, it simply seeks to maximize the vehicle and hitch capacities.
