Is a weight distribution hitch needed ?

TheBeerFather · Nov 8, 2021

As stated previously... it is cheap insurance to help mitigate a problem. You're going to get a lot of 'yes' and 'no' answers with varying justifications.

Me personally, I have my family and pets along for the ride, so I look at the WD hitch as an added safety net.

Assess your own risk tolerance and what you feel comfortable with.

Rigger · Nov 8, 2021

The WD hitch transfers load off of the rear axle and onto the front axle. This provides performance benefits that make you safer. Nothing else will do this. That is why I use one.

AR_Banjo · Nov 8, 2021

I have an Equalizer hitch--I bought it when I bought my 33' OAL camper (Jayco 285BHS). Towing the camper with an F-150 made a WD hitch necessary, to say the least! I have been very happy with the hitch. It's noisy, but I heard someone say that that tells me it's working!

When I got my SD Tremor, I bought a new 2.5" shank for the EQ hitch. Set it up and used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

Do I have to have it on the SD? Probably not. We RARELY pull the camper more than 250 miles, and most of the trips are via state highways with sparse big-truck traffic. I certainly didn't need the WD aspects of the hitch--the F-350 barely knew the 800 lb-tongue-weight camper was there. But, I figured the anti-sway benefits to be an extra layer of safety worth the extra 5 minutes of hook-up and un-hook time.

AR_B

Loshad · Nov 8, 2021

Y'all should chip in on my Gen-Y cause I'm doin' it for you! I tow a lot on the freeways in heavy truck traffic. I don't think the Equalizer's anti-sway was really needed on my F150 although the weight distribution certainly was. When I hook up my 900+ lb tongue wt 21' ORV Mjölnir settles 2" in back to 42 at the wheel wells front and rear. If my ORV was over 30' I would be more concerned about losing the Equalizer's
anti-sway. If I had the 7.3 gasser the weight distribution might well be needed, but I don't so it isn't.

Stay tuned, but don't hold your breath, for my completely objective and in depth review of the Gen-Y in a couple of months.

LongBedTremor · Nov 8, 2021

Loshad said:
If you drive 55 a WDH is probably not needed. Its benefits accrue with the square of the speed as Einstein noted.
I know, @modified promised that no math would be involved.

Sorry, I gotta give Bernoulli some love on this one, not so much Einstein. But then again, I don't think anyone would care which physicist's principle applied if they were upside down in a ditch. Anyway, you're right about the square of velocity. Interesting side note is that tow ratings in Europe are much higher than the US for nearly identical vehicles, my understanding is that this is primarily due to seriously reduced speed limit when towing anything (I think it is about 50 or 55 mph). Slow down while towing and you'll have a much easier time controlling your vehicle whether or not using a WDH.

I have a husky centerline that I use with my Tundra to pull a 30ft TT. A WDH is required for my current setup to tow safely, but it is a lot less truck and a little more trailer than what you'll have. The Tundra has a little shorter wheelbase and is a little lighter than the F350, but I have yet to experience noticeable sway even in some pretty windy conditions with big rigs all around. When I get my F250 my plan is to try it without the WDH on a shorter weekend trip when the weather is calm and predictable and I'll go from there. I'll have the WDH with, so I can always pull over and put it on if I feel it is needed.

Steve1965 · Nov 8, 2021

Loshad said:
Happy Equalizer user here with a TT heavier than your Airstream.
My only complaint is that the EQ hitch is darn heavy. Actually, I
have another complaint - my ORV is tall enough that I can't lower
my tailgate unless I take the hitch off.

Hi...I have an ORV 22FQS and I had similar issues. I am currently using a GMC 2500 as my tow vehicle, until my F350 arrives. Might be less of an issue with the Tremor...but, I find the suspension of the ORV is very tall at the coupler when level, and that results in me having a hitch also set very high which affected the tailgate. My solution, and in my opinion ORV ought to send all their trailers out with, was to replace the trailer coupler with an adjustable mount for the coupler. This allowed me much more adjustment on the receiver downward. I am a hack at welding, so I took it to local shop and the dude did an amazing job! I hope this is helpful...
I have since adjusted a bit more since this picture to get the level ride of the trailer I was looking for.