do I need a WD hitch?

reek · Jul 5, 2016

My truck is a 2015 6.4 2500 4x4. Rear factory air suspension.

Trailer - 4500 lbs 19 ft travel trailer with a 499lb tongue weight. Empty.

not much sag when hitched but adding a bit of sway control seems enticing.

thoughts?

mtofell · Jul 5, 2016

I think you need a DRW for that load

Okay, just kidding, of course. For that load I don't think you are even close to needing WDH. Anti-sway is always a good idea but with that tongue weight you aren't even close to causing your truck to sag. Unless you're hauling your anvil collection in the bed at the same time you're towing.

I hauled an 8000# loaded TT and every time I hooked up the WDH I wondered why. On short trips I left it off (but did attach the anti-sway) and couldn't tell the difference.

14hemiexpress · Jul 5, 2016

I dont have much experience in WDH but I bet most will ask how your useing the trailer and how far your pulling it. Don't think it'll be a problem at that weight though.

Your tow vehicle is longer, heavier and the hitch weight
Is only about 17% of the payload.

reek · Jul 5, 2016

I routinely tow my 14 ft 8000 lb work trailer with 2 foot tall side walls with no issues. Tongue weight is more than 500 lbs. Of course no cross wind issues. I'm probably overthinking it since it's more than just me in the vehicle this time. Our longest trip will likely be 6 hours or so and I tow like an old man... cuz I am an old man I guess.

My first travel trailer. I'm just happy I was able to talk the wife out of the pop up she initially wanted.

Snyd · Jul 6, 2016

reek said:
My truck is a 2015 6.4 2500 4x4. Rear factory air suspension.

Trailer - 4500 lbs 19 ft travel trailer with a 499lb tongue weight. Empty.

not much sag when hitched but adding a bit of sway control seems enticing.

thoughts?

It's not sag you're worried about it's lifting weight off the front end. I have an 18ft, 3850lbs empty, 5000ish full of water and stuff. I tow it with a Reg Cab 2500 4x4 6.4. With WD hitch it handles/steers better. Makes a big difference. I just got back from an 11500 mile trip and used the WD hitch the whole trip. Here's what the owners manual says...

If the gross trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2 267 kg) or
more, it is mandatory to use a weight-distributing
hitch to ensure stable handling of your vehicle. If
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
you use a standard weight-carrying hitch, you could
lose control of your vehicle and cause a collision.

crash68 · Jul 6, 2016

It's the weight transfer back to the front end is why you use a WDH. Although what appears to a light load and doesn't make the truck sag, it is if you have to make an emergency stop when the trailer weight transfer can play havoc with the truck.

BossHogg · Jul 6, 2016

I think most of you missed the OP's post where he mentioned his truck has the rear air leveling system.

opie · Jul 6, 2016

The owners manual suggestion for a wdh for anything over 5000# was added by corporate lawyers.

Never mind the drama at the end about possibly dying.

As for the OP, I wouldn't worry about a wdh. My dump trailer has 500# on the ball empty and weighs 4000#. You'll be fine with a standard insert.

Sent from a field

Snyd · Jul 6, 2016

A WD hitch with that trailer will tow much nicer. Try it both ways.

PippinAin'tEasy · Jul 6, 2016

FL, for all of their goat *** sucking craziness, requires WD for towed rec vehicles over 3k. May want to check yer local statutes for yer trucks weight class just in case.

"Oh, sweet debt. Thy name is Truck."

reek · Jul 7, 2016

Thanks for all the replies. Our first trip will a close 'test' trip so will try the regular insert. But again, if my 8000 lb utility trailer hasn't upset my truck so far, I'm starting to think it may be OK. I guess we'll see.

The only local statutes I know of regarding trailers is for trailer brakes over 1500 lbs.

do I need a WD hitch?

reek

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mtofell

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14hemiexpress

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reek

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Snyd

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crash68

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BossHogg

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opie

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Snyd

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reek

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