What Size Weight Distribution Hitch Do I Need
Best Weight Distribution Hitches For 2022
(Camp Addict does Not accept payment from whatever company to review or endorse their products.)
Hey, you just plant the ultimate guide to understanding weight distribution hitches.
Here, y'all will first larn what a weight distribution hitch is, how they piece of work, and why y'all likely need one for your trailer.
Then, below the guide, we also share with yous the hitches we believe to be the best ones for a few particular situations. Nosotros also teach y'all everything you need to know about those products.
(Simply and so yous know, what y'all will larn on this page will assist to prevent the beneath accident:)
Undoubtedly, weight distribution trailer hitches are typically non well understood by consumers.
Generally, the basic thing to understand is that the proper weight distribution hitch inherently helps prevent sway.
Additionally, it also provides y'all with the near command over your steering and braking. (We will later explain how a weight distribution trailer hitch helps forestall sway.)
Allow us clarify: Non all weight distribution hitches as well accept sway control. Yes, SOME practise have sway command included (including the ones we recommend beneath).
How y'all pack your trailer also has a lot to do with sway. We will get to that and more as you read on.
Already know all about this subject? Just looking for the reviews? Click the button below to jump downwards to the production reviews.
Practice You Even Demand a Weight Distribution Hitch?
Neat question.
Brusque answer: Almost certainly.
But permit's find out for certain: Are you a candidate for a weight distribution hitch?
The Ultimate Guide To Weight Distribution Hitches
Weight distribution hitches (also known as a WDH) are fabricated for trailers of all types... horse trailers, RV camping trailers, boat trailers, etc.
What Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Do?
The main job is to go along your tow vehicle and trailer level when continued. Why is this important?
Because you need to go on the weight on all of the axles of your tow vehicle distributed evenly. Same as if there were no trailer attached.
Then, if you DON'T use a weight distribution hitch, you hazard negatively altering the functioning of your tow vehicle's steering and braking.
Why and so? Check out the photos below.
Notice how the first photo shows the tow vehicle squatting down, unloading the forepart beam of the Jeep?
That'southward bad.
Without Weight Distribution Hitch
With Weight Distribution Hitch
As y'all can run into, weighing downwards the back of your tow vehicle will cause the forepart end to rise. Your steering is controlled from your forepart end.
Also, the most effective portion of your brakes is in your front. Therefore, if your vehicle'southward front terminate doesn't take its usual contact with the pavement, well, duh.
Things can go bad quickly. Your braking distance will be longer. You lot may non exist able to steer every bit effectively.
None of these bode well for yous on the road with thousands of pounds dragging backside you.
Hither's a adept visual video to further assist yous understand why a weight distribution hitch is helpful with control and braking.
How Weight Distribution Affects Braking And Handling
How Does A Weight Distribution Hitch Work?
We aren't going to get into the nerdy, technical details of how a weight distribution hitch works. Instead, we are going to requite you a high-level overview of the wizardry behind these hitches.
Get-go, a weight distribution hitch does just that - it distributes weight.
Haha, you feel enlightened now? Non so much? Fine, we'll dig deeper.
When you lot hook a trailer upwards to a tow vehicle, the frontwards weight of the trailer (known as the natural language weight) rests on the hitch ball that is fastened to the said tow vehicle.
Equally a result, all of the tongue weight bears downwardly on the rear axle of the tow vehicle, often causing squat.
Tow Vehicle Squat From Trailer Tongue Weight
As explained in the to a higher place section, this squat takes the weight off the front stop of the tow vehicle.
The result is macerated braking and steering control.
Thus, a weight distribution hitch, through the use of spring confined (or chains in the case of an Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch), 'magically' lifts the rear of the vehicle and 'puts back' weight onto the forepart axle.
Weight Distribution Hitch 'Flattening' Things Out
How Is The Weight Distribution Accomplished?
The natural language weight applies downward pressure on the hitch.And so, the spring artillery annul this force via an upward force per unit area.
Basic Physics Of A Weight Distribution Hitch
The net upshot is, with a properly adjusted WDH, the front axle will have pretty darn near the aforementioned weight on it with the trailer hooked upwards equally information technology does without a trailer being towed.
As a result, the front end axle can practise its job (steer and restriction) fifty-fifty with a trailer in tow. No squat, and properly distributed weight, makes for a safer towing environment.
Weight Distribution Hitch Ratings
Weight distribution hitches come up with two ratings: tongue weight and maximum trailer weight.
The hitch weight ratings for trailer and natural language weight should be above what your trailer weighs as you lot have it normally loaded. (Only not past too much.)
Hence, yous should endeavor to match the weight distribution hitch rating as shut to your trailer's weight every bit possible and non go over past too wide of a margin.
Why Not Go Large With Your Weight Distribution Hitch?
Why not utilise the largest weight rated hitch you tin can get your hands on? Considering the heavier the hitch weight rating, the stiffer the setup is going to be.
A strong setup is great if you lot take a heavy trailer, but a super-potent prepare on a lite trailer is non necessarily a good thing.
Why? Because it tin lead to a stiffer ride, which may lead to premature habiliment of components. Furthermore, it will result in an uncomfortable ride for tow vehicle occupants.
Likewise, yous volition have to deal with much heavier leap bars, which are already a hassle to deal with. This doesn't use to the Andersen WDH as it doesn't use jump bars.
The Andersen weight rating is based on the hitch ball and receiver hitch size and one kit (of a certain brawl and receiver size combination) fit a broad range of trailer weights.
Additionally, it'due south MUCH easier to figure out what kit is right for you if you go with an Andersen WDH.
Types Of Weight Distribution Hitches
Weight distribution hitches typically use metal 'spring arms' to distribute the trailer natural language weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front end beam. (There is an exception- the Andersen WDH uses bondage for the 'arm'.)
Many WDH's use vertical metal brackets to connect the arms to the trailer. Others make their 'brackets' out of vertical bondage. (Seen in the second photo below)
In this guide, we focus on WDH's that use vertical brackets because they are the almost popular type.
Vertical brackets, as opposed to vertical chains, too offer sway control. Nonetheless, vertical chain 'brackets' do non offering sway.
Sway control is certainly important when y'all are towing a trailer requiring a weight distribution hitch.
Jump Artillery With Chain Lift
Spring Arms:
Weight distribution hitches are available with two styles of leap arms:
- Trunnion
- Round bar. (Except for the Andersen, which replaces the metallic arm with a chain)
Trunnion: Trunnion arms come directly back from the hitch head which gives them better basis clearance compared to a round bar setup.
Instance Of A Trunnion Arm Weight Distribution Hitch
The arms are square in shape and a trunnion weight distribution hitch volition typically cost more than an equivalent round bar hitch.
Round Bar: These arms connect underneath the hitch head and curve back until they are parallel to the ground.
Instance Of A Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch
The bent style puts them closer to the basis, sometimes causing ground clearance bug in lower trailers.
Indeed, Military camp Aficionado Kelly used to have this style and struggled with ground clearance issues with her hitch from solar day one. So, keep this in mind if yous have a low-riding rig.
Towing Pieces and Parts
Y'all will have to have sure parts before you tin can tow your rig with or without a weight distribution hitch:
- Your tow vehicle WITH a hitch receiver (DUR!) AND your trailer (DOUBLE duh...
- A trailer hitch for your vehicle (this will come with a weight distribution kit)
- The hitch brawl (round thinggy that the trailer attaches to) sized properly to fit your trailer'due south coupler
- Coupler (the part on your trailer that goes onto the ball - this will be role of your trailer's frame)
- Prophylactic chains
- Trailer wire harness for lights/brakes and a receptacle on your tow vehicle to plug your trailer's wiring into
- Breakaway Cable. This engages your trailer brakes in the event your trailer is disconnected from your tow vehicle. Connect Just to the tow vehicle itself, never to the receiver connected to the tow vehicle!
Each of these items is certainly necessary to safely pull a trailer.
Trailer Hitch Receiver 'Classes'
Dangit- something else we have to know well-nigh? Yerp.
In truth, non all trailer hitch receivers are alike. Be very enlightened of this- they can vary in the corporeality of trailer weight they can handle.
Trailer Hitch Receiver
To clarify, trailer hitch receivers (as seen above) come in different weight classes, between 1 and v.
Your vehicle'southward owner manual tells you what class receiver it comes equipped with and/or the weight it's able to tow.
Weight Distribution Hitch Bonus
Use of a weight distribution hitch on Class 3 through Class 5 hitch receivers may increment the maximum immune trailer weight and/or the maximum trailer natural language weight.
Always consult your vehicle's owner manual for the maximum weights allowed for your exact vehicle.
Typically, you volition non need a weight distribution hitch with a Form i or ii trailer hitch every bit you lot will be towing a very lite trailer.
Often, travel trailers that require a Form three, iv, or 5 hitch will need a weight distribution hitch.
Therefore, always consult your tow vehicle's owner manual to meet if at that place are any specific recommendations about weight distribution hitch use directly from the tow vehicle manufacturer.
OK, at present you know which class receiver yous have, or which one you lot need for the trailer you are looking at towing.
Let's move on to your vehicle's towing chapters.
How Much Can Your Vehicle Tow?
Boy oh male child, we get it. MORE stuff to know! Yes, it'south all-important, so let's continue on.
You've got this! After all, we are going to walk you lot through information technology.
Now, your tow vehicle is 'rated' to tow and to carry only a certain corporeality of weight.
No, your Ford Ranger CANNOT pull that 30' travel trailer you take been eyeballing.
Why? Well, it should generally be obvious just by looking at the two side-past-side. That said, information technology's non rated to pull 9,800 pounds.
So, how do yous know, or find out, how much your vehicle CAN pull? Your best bet is to wait it up in your tow vehicle's manual.
However, if you don't take it, almost manuals tin be found on the manufacturer's website.
Or, here'due south a convenient guide to vehicle tow ratings from Trailer Life Mag.
There, you can search your vehicle and twelvemonth to find your maximum towing weight (though this weight may depend on the equipment your particular vehicle is equipped with).
Weighing Your Travel Trailer
Your trailer will weigh differently depending on whether it is empty or full of your personal items.
Therefore, you have to know what your trailer weighs when it'south loaded versus when it'due south unloaded (the amount the manufacturer claims your rig weighed when it left the manufactory).
Having an accurate weight ensures that your trailer isn't loaded to a higher place what its maximum weight rating is and that your tow vehicle has enough towing capability to safely pull your trailer.
It likewise will tell you what the weight rating your weight distribution hitch needs to be. Indeed, it's very of import to counterbalance your trailer. Actually, it's vital yous know how much your trailer weighs!
Therefore, you demand to know how much your travel trailer weighs when loaded for a typical trip. This includes cargo, propane, and water.
This is because every weight distribution hitch is rated for a certain trailer weight. By and large, you don't want to get a hitch rated too heavy or too light.
Every bit has been noted, you demand to know your travel trailer weight and your natural language weight.
Um, You Need A Bigger Scale!
Yo- You're gonna need a scale to get a weight. How else practice you expect to weigh your trailer?
Where on earth can you lot find a scale big enough to weigh your travel trailer?
You're in luck since at that place are commercial scales at some truck stops such as Love's and Flying J, as well as at some highway weigh stations.
Indeed, it may be prudent to telephone call ahead and make sure they permit RVs to exist weighed. Also, at that place is normally a fee involved.
Again, there are ii weights y'all will want to get:
1. Trailer tongue weight
two. Trailer gross weight
Trailer Tongue Weight Measurement
There are four ways to measure out your travel trailer'south tongue weight:
- Commercial calibration
- Bathroom calibration
- Tongue weight scale
- Weigh Condom Ball Mount.
Of these methods, only one (commercial calibration) allows you to as well go the trailer gross weight. Therefore, the Commercial Calibration method is our top pick.
Weigh With Trailer And Tow Vehicle Loaded
Anytime you counterbalance your rig, take it loaded just equally it would be when you lot typically use it.
Load information technology with the same gear (personal items, food, etc), the same amount of h2o in the fresh tank that y'all have when you tow, and with full propane tanks.
Higher up all, it's important that you get an accurate and realistic weight.
The aforementioned holds true for your tow vehicle if yous are using the commercial scale method and are weighing your tow vehicle to run across how well your weight distribution hitch is setup.
It should be loaded equally it normally is when yous are towing your trailer.
Motorhomes- don't forget to include passenger weight!
Commercial Scale Method (to determine tongue weight and trailer gross weight)
Once you have located a commercial scale and verified they will let you counterbalance your RV, information technology'southward fourth dimension to go busy!
Depending on if you have a weight distributing hitch setup or if you are looking to only to figure out your trailer tongue weight, cull one of the two methods to weigh your setup:
Figuring Out Tongue Weight Only
This requires ii separate weighings. One with the trailer continued to your tow vehicle and one with just the tow vehicle (trailer non continued).
For the showtime weighing, press the call button and tell the clerk that this is your get-go weigh.
They may ask yous for your truck number. Just tell them that you are an RV.
And so, when y'all are taking your 2d weighing, be very clear that this is a re-weigh.
Evidently, yous may be charged the full price for the 2nd weighing (re-weighs are unremarkably cheaper) if you lot don't mention this.
Typical Commercial Scale
Trailer And Tow Vehicle On Scale
Counterbalance as follows:
- Weigh your tow vehicle with the trailer attached. Position your setup then that the trailer beam(s) are on one weighing 'pad' and your tow vehicle'south axles are on another weighing 'pad'. This volition give y'all two separate weights on the printout you volition become at the end. When checking natural language weight only, you don't care about the trailer weight number - simply the tow vehicle's weight. This is weight A.
- Bulldoze off the scale and detach your trailer from your tow vehicle. Bulldoze Simply the tow vehicle back onto the scale, making certain information technology'south on just one weighing 'pad'. (Tell the scale operator this is a 're-weigh' and so you lot don't get charged the full amount for a second weighing.) This is weight B.
- Go collect your weighing slips from the scale operator (yous will be getting two slips). It'southward time to do the math! Subtract weight B (tow vehicle without a trailer attached) from weight A (tow vehicle with trailer attached) to become the natural language weight.
Weight A - Weight B = natural language weight. It'due south really that simple!
Figuring Out Natural language Weight AND How Well Your Weight Distribution Hitch Is Doing Its Job
Figuring out how well your weight distribution hitch is distributing weight, too as what your trailer tongue weight is, is a bit more involved than getting only your natural language weight.
However, it's non very hard. It but requires 3 weighings instead of just two when simply figuring out natural language weight.
Spreadsheet To Assist Summate Trailer Weights
We put together a Google Sheet (spreadsheet) that you can use to calculate the tongue weight and to see if your weight distributing hitch is setup properly.
You just enter the weights that you lot go when y'all follow the instructions in the below section. The Spreadsheet can exist found here.
(You volition accept to log into your Google account and you will be forced to make a copy of this Canvas and then you won't be 'messing' with the original.)
A big THANK YOU to our reader, 'Jim'! He emailed us letting us know he took our original version and made information technology MUCH more useful by adding extra 'gee-whiz' stuff. We decided it was much better and nosotros are now using it. Thank you, Jim!
This takes three divide weighings.
- One with the trailer connected and weight distribution engaged (and then weight is being transferred to your tow vehicle's front axle).
- Ane with the trailer connected and weight distribution disengaged (no transfer of weight to the tow vehicle'southward forepart axle).
- And finally, you volition exist weighing your tow vehicle by itself (trailer not hooked up).
For the first weighing, yous will demand to press the call button and tell the clerk that this is your first weigh.
They may ask you for your truck number. Simply tell them y'all are an RV.
When you lot are taking your second and third weighing, you will need to be very clear that this is a re-weigh.
If not, yous may exist charged the full price for the second and tertiary weighing (re-weighs are usually cheaper).
Weigh as follows:
- Counterbalance your tow vehicle with the trailer fastened and the weight distribution bars/ mechanism engaged. Each axle will need to exist weighed individually. You will weigh the trailer axle(s) on one pad of the commercial calibration, the rear axle of the tow vehicle on some other pad, and the front axle on a third pad. See the pictures and the video beneath to encounter how this is washed. This gives yous three separate weights on the printout you lot get when you lot are done weighing.
- WITHOUT moving your tow vehicle and trailer, disconnect the weight distribution bars/ mechanism. Take the 2nd weighing. (Tell the scale operator this is a 're-weigh' so yous don't get charged the total amount for a 2nd weighing.) You volition get another 3 separate weights on the printout you become when done.
- Bulldoze off the scale and disassemble your trailer from your tow vehicle. Drive Merely the tow vehicle back onto the scale, making sure the front and rear axles are on separate weighing 'pad', just like they were for the first two weighings. (Tell the calibration operator this is a 're-weigh' and then yous don't get charged the full amount for a second weighing.) This will give you a set up of ii weights on the printouts you will collect.
- Get collect your weighing slips from the calibration operator (yous volition be getting iii slips). Make certain you brand notes on each of the three weigh slips which weighing they correspond, so you know which is the one with the weight distribution bars connected, disconnected and the tow vehicle past itself.
It'southward time to enter all of these weights into the Google Sheets spreadsheet that nosotros've created for you.
Tow Vehicle Axles On Separate 'Pads'
Trailer Axles On It'south Own 'Pad'
How To Position A Trailer On A Commercial Scale
Make sure to enter the right weights in the correct spots. And then, the spreadsheet will practise the heavy lifting for you.
Whew! You are done! You lot now know what your trailer tongue weight is.
You also know how well your weight distribution hitch is distributing the weight of the trailer to the tow vehicle's forepart axle.
Forepart Beam Weight
If your weight distribution hitch is properly set up, the following statements should ring true:
- At that place should be very trivial difference between the front axle weight with your tow vehicle non connected to the trailer (tow vehicle weight alone) and the front end beam weight with the trailer continued and the weight distribution hitch working to distribute the weight to the front axle.
- Yous never want the hitch to cause more weight to be put on the front beam than when the vehicle is not towing. The aim is to get the front beam weight when towing (and weight distributing hitch engaged) to be every bit close, without going over, to the forepart axle weight of the tow vehicle when the trailer isn't attached.
- Most weight distribution hitch manuals will have you measure out the height of the tow vehicle's front wheel well when it doesn't have a trailer fastened and and then again when you have the WDH setup properly. The 'hitch connected' top should be very close to the unloaded heights to ensure proper weight distribution (and front axle loading). You don't want the height lower when towing. Considering that ways there is too much weight being distributed to the front axle, potentially unloading the rear axle as well much.
Bathroom Calibration Method (to make up one's mind natural language weight)
For this, you will need:
- A cinder block (or block of wood) that is the same thickness/height as your scale
- 2 minor steel pipes
- Bathroom scale
- A piece of woods (4x4 preferably) that is at least 4 anxiety long
The in a higher place chart pretty well explains how to set up your scale system. Additionally, you can view the video directly below to meet the process demonstrated.
The main constant is that you must put the tongue 1-foot away from the end that doesn't have the calibration. The other side can be 2, three, or even 4 feet away from the natural language.
Go on it at a 2-human foot minimum. The spacing you choose determines how you practice your math.
If yous employ the above scenario, you are using a 2-human foot calibration-tongue gap and a 1-foot block-tongue gap.
Therefore, y'all have a ii:1 ratio. This means that the calibration will only support one/3 of the natural language weight.
In our example where you are using a spacing of 2 feet and 1 human foot, you add the ii distances together, which is three.
This is your multiplier. Your math will exist to multiply what the scale says by iii.
For example, if the scale says 220, then 220 ten 3 = 660. Therefore your tongue weight is 660 pounds.
Say you use 3 feet in between the tongue and the calibration, then y'all have a 3:1 ratio and will multiply the calibration reading by iv (3+1).
Thankfully, it's pretty simple math.
The idea of using this method is to keep the tongue weight from being directly on the calibration and breaking information technology.
Most boilerplate sized travel trailers volition take a tongue weight that is more a typical bathroom scale can handle.
Measuring Tongue Weight With A Bath Scale
Natural language Weight Scale Method (to determine tongue weight)
These scales are made simply for this purpose only can be pricey.
They are simple small scales fabricated to accept the weight of a trailer tongue upwardly to the number of pounds they are rated for.
To use, simply place the scale under the natural language jack while the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle.
Next, disconnect the trailer as usual (be Certain you accept the trailer chocked!) and then get it level from front to dorsum.
The calibration will measure out how much natural language weight is on your tow vehicle when connected.
Is Your Hitch Top Way Off? No Bueno.
This applies as long as your travel trailer is properly leveled when continued to your tow vehicle.
However, if your trailer is very un-level, get the hitch adjusted then that tow vehicle and trailer are at to the lowest degree close to level for the bodily natural language weight to match what the calibration says.
Weigh Safe Brawl Mount Method (to determine tongue weight)
The Weigh Prophylactic Hitch is a hitch with a scale born. It'due south every bit elementary as that. You connect the trailer to the hitch, and bammo.
Yous have a fairly accurate trailer natural language weight showing in the trailer hitch itself.
This option will be more expensive than the other methods but is also helpful as your tongue weight can change with varying cargo, water, and propane levels.
Proper Cargo Weight Distribution
Q: What is THE WORST affair you lot can do for your setup when packing?
A: Add together a lot of weight behind the beam (wheels) of your travel trailer.
As a general rule, you should take 60% of your cargo weight in FRONT of the trailer axle, and xl% of the weight backside the trailer axle.
Why is this?
The more weight in the dorsum, the heavier your 'barrel end' becomes (and the less weight there is on the trailer's tongue).
If the heavy butt terminate of your trailer gets pushed to the side a picayune by a sudden gust of wind, or a quick little correction, or a semi passing you, it tin start to swing (sway) out of control.
This model car sit-in is the best matter we found to help yous understand this concept.
Sentry and learn.
What Happens With Too Much Weight At Rear Of Trailer
The beneath-reviewed weight distribution hitches all utilize a grade of sway control. This helps limit this trailer sway (swing).
Even so, these types of anti-sway systems are not foolproof. They accept limits to the amount of sway they tin can help with.
Y'all also need to have your trailer's load distributed properly so that your trailer's tongue weight is within the proper range of 10-15% of the trailer's full weight.
Oh, you call up the outset video was a fluke?
Here's some other instance:
Handling Affected By Trailer Weight Distribution
As you tin come across, overloading the back end of your trailer is a no-no. So how do y'all know how much your cargo weighs?
It's non like y'all counterbalance every niggling item that goes into or out of your RV. That's almost impossible.
Regardless, it's simple to discover out if your travel trailer is properly balanced.
You demand to know your trailer tongue weight, and the weight of your loaded trailer to figure this out (learn how to weigh your rig).
If your cargo is loaded properly, your trailer tongue weight should be betwixt ten% and 15% of the full weight of your fully loaded travel trailer.
For instance, if your trailer weighs 7,000 lbs fully loaded, a tongue weight of 700 to 1050 pounds is perfect.
Actually, 12% is best, simply getting exactly 12% may be difficult. A few percentage points either way is OK.
Sway Control: Built-In VS Add-On
A weight distribution hitch can either:
- Come standard with some sort of sway control congenital-in to the design
- Come without any sway control and requires an optional, improver device if y'all want to try to control trailer sway.
At that place'south a big difference betwixt these ii options. Let'south explain.
All of the weight distribution hitches reviewed on this folio accept sway control every bit part of their design.
Having an all-in-one system is the best choice. Why? Because information technology won't have the limitations that an improver sway control device has.
Likewise, congenital-in sway control is typically much more than effective than using an add-on device.
How Built-In Sway Command Works
A WDH with congenital-in sway control usually uses friction betwixt the leap arms and the bound arm mounting brackets that adhere to the trailer frame.
Others incorporate friction points where the spring arms meet the hitch head.
The spring arms are forced down onto the brackets every bit they practise their job distributing the weight of the trailer natural language to the front end axle of the tow vehicle.
Whatsoever side-to-side movement of the trailer due to sway causes a great bargain of friction betwixt the jump arms and the brackets.
This helps limit sway.
Spring Bar And Bracket Built-In Anti-Sway Capability
Add-on Sway Control
An add-on sway control device is a friction arm that is added every bit an afterthought.
Information technology attaches to 1 side of your weight distribution hitch, between the trailer frame and the hitch head that is mounted on your tow vehicle.
You can adapt the amount of friction the arm has by cranking down on a handle.
Add-On Anti-Sway Bar
Addition Anti-Sway Bar Installation
Add together-On Sway Bar Drawbacks
There are several drawbacks to this type of organization.
- You lot must disconnect it to backup or to turn tightly.
- They have to exist removed in glace conditions (gravel, rain, water ice, snowfall, sand, etc). Oh, await, information technology's raining? Allow me pull over and remove this device.
- The addition systems but don't work as well.
Progress Manufacturing claims that the built-in anti-sway capabilities of their Equal-i-zer hitch is equal to 8 improver sway bars (yous can simply install one, so you can see the deviation).
Summary
There y'all have it.
You are now fully armed to know if you need a weight distribution hitch, what kind of WDH you will desire, and how to tow your travel trailer using ane.
You know that you need one if the back of your tow vehicle sags, if you are towing a trailer of any appreciable size, or if your tow vehicle's manual specifically says to employ one.
If yous demand to become a weight distribution hitch, you can notice out which will work all-time for you by checking out the reviews directly below.
Be safe out in that location on the roads. Don't pull your trailer at speeds faster than your travel trailer's tire ratings.
This is very unsafe and often leads to horrifying and unnecessary accidents due to blowouts.
And don't be crazy when you lot are towing. You CANNOT drive 'normally' when y'all are towing a trailer. If you don't similar to follow rules, make this the i that yous practice.
Weight Distribution Hitch Reviews
Nosotros've narrowed down the field to the best options among the many bachelor weight distribution hitches out there.
All of the below-reviewed weight distribution hitches have sway command congenital-in. We feel strongly that any trailer that needs a WDH as well needs sway control.
Any hitch that didn't include sway control as a design feature was eliminated from our review. And those improver sway control bars?
Um, yeah, not exactly the all-time choice, so nosotros don't even consider whatsoever hitch that uses these as their sway command mechanism.
Through personal experience (Kelly's Andersen), nosotros feel that the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch is the ane that is most worthy of serious consideration.
Equally a bonus, it eliminates the hassle with the conventional spring arms. Read on to larn more about why we picked these three WDH's for our 'all-time of'.
Best Weight Distribution Hitch
Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch
Pros
The Andersen 'No-Sway' Weight Distribution Hitch revolutionizes how weight distributing hitches work.
They did away with the traditional spring bar style weight distribution machinery and replaced it with a much simpler to apply chain machinery.
This results in a much lighter, totally silent, and easier to use setup that deserves a hard expect.
The above 'Pros' highlight just some of the advantages of the Andersen WDH.
All-time Traditional Style Weight Distribution Hitch
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Hitch
Pros
Cons
The Equal-i-zer hitch is a pioneer in weight distribution hitches with sway command.
Progress Manufacturing, the maker of this WDH setup, has been in business for over lxx years. They have been making the Equal-i-zer hitch for a long time.
In other words, they have a proven system when it comes to spring bar style weight distribution hitches.
If yous are looking for a proven system that has been used by thousands of trailer owners, over countless towing miles, the Equal-i-zer WDH is definitely the right choice.
Our elevation choice, the Andersen WDH, offers some advantages to this jump bar system. If yous similar systems that have been effectually for decades, the Equal-i-zer hitch is the way to become.
Best Budget Weight Distribution Hitch
Fastway e2 Weight Distribution Hitch
Pros
Cons
The Fastway e2 weight distribution hitch is manufactured by Progress Manufacturing, who also makes the Equal-i-zer WDH.
The e2 line of hitches offering similar weight distribution backdrop as the Equal-i-zer hitches (but non every bit adept anti-sway capability) for less money.
The Fastway e2 weight distribution hitches are a MUCH better option than having a unproblematic ball mount, and are a definite step-upward from the concatenation-style weight distribution hitches (that require add-on anti-sway bars).
Hensley and ProPride Hitches
The higher up-reviewed weight distribution hitches employ friction as a means to command trailer sway.
Friction can simply do then much. It helps control sway. It doesn't prevent sway. (Yes, there is a divergence)
If you want to truly prevent trailer sway, you need to pony upwardly the big bucks and go with a different kind of weight distribution hitch.
Hensley Hitch by Hensley Manufacturing
True Sway Prevention
In that location is but i type of hitch on the market that claims to truly foreclose trailer sway - the Hensley Hitch.
Sounds bang-up? Well, there's a catch: It's EXPENSIIIIIIVE!
Worth The Cost?
A Hensley Hitch volition set you lot back anywhere from 5 to 10 times the cost of 1 of the weight distribution hitches reviewed above.
These babies price in the neighborhood of $2,500+. Yikes!
Are they worth the actress cost? Some think and so. Camp Addict Marshall has a Hensley Cub (the lighter weight version for trailers up to 6,000 pounds gross weight).
It's worked great for him for the last half-dozen years, but equally of late, he has been yearning for something a footling easier to hitch up with.
Marshall'southward Hensley Hitch
Tongue Weight Consideration
Too the extra cost, a Hensley Hitch is heavier than a traditional weight distribution hitch. This adds weight to the trailer natural language.
Many trailers cannot beget to have this extra weight. 2 manufacturers make a Hensley-style weight distribution hitch. Hensley Manufacturing and Pro Pride Incorporated.
Hensley is the original manufacturer, while Pro Pride claims to have an updated version of the Hensley design.
Which is better? That'due south upward to you to decide if y'all wish to go the Hensley route.
Hitch Accessories
At present that you have that shiny new weight distribution hitch, it's time to consider a few accessories that may brand your life a little easier.
These are optional, only at that place might be something hither that yous find useful.
Hitch Receiver Lock
Your weight distribution hitch has a pin that holds the hitch in the receiver.
If you take a non-locking pin, in that location is nothing to prevent someone from easily stealing your hitch from your tow vehicle.
There are many hitch receiver locks on the market that provide a locking pivot. Below is just one example of this blazon of pin.
While this will not forestall someone who is VERY determined to accept your hitch, it will slow them down and brand them work for it.
It's worth the low cost of a hitch receiver lock to give yourself a piffling more protection.
Hitch Ball Lubrication
Nigh trailer hitches need to be greased where the hitch ball meets the trailer coupler.
At that place is movement at this 'articulation' whenever the tow vehicle and trailer are in a turn, or whenever in that location is an uneven road surface.
If you practise not use a quality grease at this connection, you will have metallic on metallic contact and subsequent wear.
The two traditional style weight distribution hitches reviewed above require this type of lubrication.
The Andersen weight distribution hitch does not, which is another advantage it has over the others (no greasy hitch brawl to collect dirt and get grease on you lot and your wearing apparel).
Trailer Hitch Stabilizer / Anti-Rattle Device
The shank of your weight distribution almost likely doesn't fit nice and snug into the receiver of your tow vehicle, which causes slight movement betwixt the two as you tow your trailer downward the road.
Over fourth dimension, this slight movement will cause habiliment on both your WDH shank and your tow vehicle's receiver (clothing shown below). It can also crusade a rattling sound that can be very annoying.
Hitch Shank Wear
However, yous can use a trailer hitch stabilizer (hitch tightener) to eliminate this motility and relieve this wear on your hitch parts.
Additionally, it eliminates the rattling/ clanking sound that this play makes. Talk about a win-win!
The StowAway Hitch Tightener (below) is for ii" receivers. This is what Camp Addict Co-Founder Marshall uses.
StowAway Hitch Tightener Demonstration
Safety Concatenation Hanger
Practise your prophylactic chains hang low? Sure, they probably occasionally drag on the basis.
If and then, the prophylactic chain hanger past GR Innovations (made in the USA) is the perfect solution.
Kelly considers it one of the all-time RV accessories yous tin can get! For any reason, keeping the chains from dragging is very satisfying.
Safety Chain Hanger (For Grade 5 Hitch) On Marshall's Hensley Hitch
Information technology's available in two sizes (for either a Class 3 or a Class 5 hitch - the departure being how wide of a hitch the hanger tin straddle).
The safety chain hanger is a simple piece of plastic that allows you lot to lift up the center of a sagging safety concatenation.
Information technology doesn't interfere with the operation of the safe bondage should a disconnect happen.
The hanger would break gratis if the safety bondage go stretched out.
GR Innovations supplied Camp Addict with both sizes of safety chain hangers then we could try them out.
Both Campsite Addict co-founders Marshall and Kelly have been using them for three+ years now, and they piece of work very well to keep the bondage up off the ground.
Rubber Chain Hanger (For Class 3 Hitch)
Safety Chain Hanger (Grade 3 Hitch) In Use
Safety Chain Hanger (For Grade 5 Hitch) On Marshall'south Hensley Hitch
For Class 3 Hitches (orangish)
For Grade v Hitches (yellow)
EzStoreHitch
I of the problems of a weight distribution hitch setup that uses spring bars is what to practice with the bars in one case you are parked.
I solution is to install the EzStoreHitch (bold y'all take infinite on your trailer's tongue area).
The EzStoreHitch gives y'all a place to store the spring confined and also gives you storage for your hitch while you aren't using them.
With the hitch stored in the EzStoreHitch and locked with your locking pin, both the hitch and the spring confined are secured from theft.
Keen!
EzStoreHitch Spring Bar and Hitch Storage
HitchGrip
The HitchGrip is a lightweight tool that allows you to easily and ergonomically lift your hitch to install or remove it from your tow vehicle.
With the HitchGrip you no longer take to touch a dirty, greasy hitch.
Designed to fit hitches with 2 five/16" balls with standard-sized shanks, the HitchGrip is made from industrial strength resin. It has tungsten carbide tips that 'hold' the hitch ball.
It's a pretty cool tool that makes a potentially dirty, back-breaking chore a bit easier and WAY cleaner.
HitchGrip In Apply
HitchGrip Hitch Lifting Tool
Trailer Coupler Lock
When your trailer is not connected to your tow vehicle, it is a potential target for theft.
The entire trailer, that is. Think almost it. Your trailer is sitting somewhere with a nice, inviting coupler waiting for a hitch brawl to connect to it.
Anyone tin hitch up to your trailer and bulldoze away.
There are many trailer coupler lock solutions on the market place. Most tin can be easily defeated by anyone with a crowbar or a reciprocating saw.
If you are serious nearly locking your trailer coupler, consider a locking solution like the Coupler Vault Pro.
This lock is almost impossible to pause into. Near thieves are going to give up earlier they tin can tow your trailer away.
Aye, it's pricey, merely your trailer is manner, way more expensive than this 'insurance'.
Coupler Vault Pro In Use
Coupler Vault Pro by MegaHitch Lock
Your Dealer Is Probably Clueless
Many people rely on their dealer to help them cull, and install, a weight distribution hitch setup.
This seems reasonable since they should know what they are doing, right? Ha. (Don't make us laugh.)
This is a big reason why Military camp Addict exists.
Because of lack of knowledge on the internet and MAJOR lack of knowledge by salesmen at RV dealerships.
Here is Military camp Addict Co-Founder Kelly's experience with her 'knowledgeable' dealer and how they screwed up many things with her weight distribution hitch.
Yep, at that place are SOME very top-notch RV dealers out there who can sell yous the right equipment, install it correctly, and testify you how to use it.
But there are many more than dealerships employing salesmen AND installers who know very little nigh what they are doing. Weight distribution hitches tin exist confusing, yes.
You would promise a dealer that is in the business of selling travel trailers would have a inkling about weight distribution hitches.
Or at least intendance plenty to learn and/or have people on staff that take a clue. This wasn't the case with Kelly's dealer.
Kelly'southward WDH Purchase Feel
"The dealer I (Kelly) purchased my travel trailer from did the installation of a Fastway e2 weight distribution hitch.
I relied on them to tell me what I needed, what weight chapters was required, and to install it for me. I knew null about information technology and then I allow them exercise the picking for me, and they did.
(I didn't even know they came in weight capacities). They managed to mess up ALL of it.
Here are some things they screwed upwardly:
- Fastway offers weight distribution hitches with gross trailer weight ratings ranging from four,500 pounds to 10,000 pounds. Ideally, you would select a hitch that is rated merely above what your trailer's maximum weight is. Or more correctly, how much your trailer really weighs fully loaded. My trailer only weighs (as it is loaded the way I use information technology) around 4,400 pounds. It weighs 3800 dry out. All the same the dealer sold me the highest rated (and nearly expensive) hitch at 10,000 pounds. This caused my setup to ride rougher and is harder for me to deal with the oversized spring arms.
- The brackets that attach the spring arms to my trailer frame were installed upside downward. This caused a gap between the bottom of the frame and the lower bracket bolt. There is supposed to be no gap hither every bit a gap causes bowing of the brackets when you tighten the attaching bolts down to the proper torque. Guess what? Considering of frequent bottoming out, both of my brackets had a very pronounced bow in them, rendering them unusable. I replaced them with a new pair from a friend who was ALSO not happy with his e2 and had purchased something else.
Gap Between Trailer Frame and Bottom Bracket Bolt
Spring Bar Bracket Bowing
- The brackets themselves hang too low on my trailer frame. This is a design outcome more than an installation issue. Because my trailer rides and then low, it doesn't allow for sufficient clearance between the lesser of the brackets and the ground with the way the dealer installed the system. My brackets are constantly striking the asphalt whenever I pull in/out of a driveway/gas station with whatever sort of minute dip. The brackets constantly hitting the ground, combined with there beingness a gap betwixt the commodities and frame (every bit mentioned above), caused the brackets to bow. All because the dealer didn't properly install my WDH and caused my brackets to ride too low. Awesome! (not)
All of the to a higher place-mentioned bug would exist eliminated if I had an Andersen weight distribution hitch installed. (UPDATE:I at present do, equally of Baronial, 2018.)
Information technology works much better for the ground clearance challenged trailer I have."
Here is a video of Kelly explaining the issues she'due south had with her Fastway e2 hitch:
Kelly's Hitch Issues (Thanks, Dealer!)
The e2 Install Fix
Kelly's e2 weight distribution hitch issues acquired by the installing dealer doing a hack job have been rectified.
Nosotros spent a good amount of fourth dimension installing and adjusting information technology per the manufacturer's instructions after replacing the brackets with undamaged ones.
This resulted in ameliorate clearance betwixt the spring bar brackets and the footing, as well equally a trailer that rides level (was slightly olfactory organ down earlier).
Kelly yet wasn't in love with the e2 organization, only she was non equally annoyed equally she was when there were footing clearance issues.
Her beefiness with information technology was it was a pain in the rear to attach and detach, and bottoming out acquired the L brackets to come off, hence causing the bar to come off the bracket.
The brackets as well bent, rendering them useless.
Also, the bolts holding the hitch to the shank frequently loosened, causing the ball to be too low. All this constant problems, All. The. Time.
It is an inherent problem with the manner of hitch, which is why we recommend the Andersen weight distribution hitch.
(Update April 2019: I am VERY happy with my Andersen hitch. It took a little getting used to, but now I am SO much happier.)
Conclusion
That's it!
You are now armed with knowledge on if and why you need a weight distribution hitch. Information technology's an essential piece of equipment to use to keep yourself and others condom on the road.
We too let you know which hitches nosotros believe to exist the best and why. If you have any questions, please submit them to the comments below.
Read the comments commencement in case your question has already been answered there. (Nosotros don't reply the same question twice)
There, we will reply to every bit many as nosotros tin.
Cheers, and Camp On, Addicts!
Kelly Beasley
He-llllo. I'm the co-founder of Campsite Addict, which my biz partner and I launched in 2017. I frigging love the RVing lifestyle but in Dec of 2020, I converted to part-time RV life. Heck, I lived in my travel trailer for over five.five years, STRICTLY boondocking for pretty much all of information technology. Boondocking is a GREAT way to alive, but it's not piece of cake. Anyway, I'm passionate about animals, tin can't stand campgrounds, I hardly always melt, and I beloved a good dance party. Currently, I can exist plant plotting and scheming whether or non to get-go collecting farm animals (or plotting my side by side RV trip!) at my beautiful new 'ranch' named 'Hotel Kellyfornia', in Southern Arizona.
Marshall Wendler
Camp Aficionado co-founder Marshall Wendler brings his technical expertise to help explain RV products in an easy to understand fashion. Full-time RVing from Apr 2014 - December 2020 (at present RVing well-nigh 50% of the time), Marshall loves sharing his knowledge of the RV lifestyle. Marshall spends the majority of his RVing life boondocking. He is the office of Camp Addict that knows 'all the things'. He'southward proficient at sharing his technical knowledge so you tin benefit.
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Source: https://campaddict.com/reviews/towing/weight-distribution-hitch/
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