Towing sub 10k trailers with Ram 3500

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timelinex

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I just upgraded from a 1/2 ton to a 2020 Ram 3500 (20k max tow, 4200 payload)and have some question about using my 24ft enclosed trailer which is ~3k empty and the most frequent tow is just my Can Am 4 door SxS which weighs ~2k.

1. I have an equalizer WDH I used for when I towed with my Tundra. I know that overall using WDH is always better than not, but obviously there is a point where it's barely helping and not worth the hassle (10min to setup, versus just dropping on my regular hitch and going). So is there any compelling reason to use the WDH when towing the <6,000lb trailer locally (let's say <50 miles). Forget fixing sag, this trailer weight would probably barely level the truck out. I imagine the WDH may still help sway, but not sure of how big the effect is on this light of trailer and heavy duty of truck.

2. I know the golden rule of thumb is to put ~12% of the weight of the trailer onto the hitch. Does this still apply to situations where the truck is such overkill for the trailer? In this scenario, would it be better for me to drive my SxS all the way forward and put as much weight as possible on the hitch? As mentioned in the previous question, I'm guessing this would still barely even make the truck level out. On the other hand, I imagine that the benefits of the weight being so far forward is drastic reduction in any sway, if there was any.

Thanks!
 

MADDOG

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1. Use it. Sway is not based totally on weight but that is a factor. You still don't want that tail wagging the dog when you tow.

2. Yes, try to get more weight forward of the axle(s) than behind to control sway regardless of the total weight of the trailer.
 

OC455

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I use the WDH when I tow my travel trailer, even though it is less than half my max towing, and using less than a 1/6th of my payload capacity for the tongue weight. Hitching up still dropped the rear of the truck...
 

Whiskey13

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I would say yes, weight forward. it is not just what you are doing to the truck it is also weight distribution on the trailer axels
 

Dinky

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Weight is not near as bad as being a kite. Enclosed trailers get moved around in wind a lot more. I tow a roll form machine empty its 8900lbs and when loaded add another 6000lbs of metal. Trailer is only 12ft long and I never use a wdh on it because its a little brick and wind doesn't effect it.
 
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crash68

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So is there any compelling reason to use the WDH when towing the <6,000lb trailer locally (let's say <50 miles). Forget fixing sag, this trailer weight would probably barely level the truck out. I imagine the WDH may still help sway, but not sure of how big the effect is on this light of trailer and heavy duty of truck.
Maybe if the 6.4 was under the hood but with the CTD extra weight over the front axle, there's not much of the front axle weight percentage will be lost.
Trailer sway is usually caused by how the trailer is loaded so you still want to have about 10-12% tongue weight.
 
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