Weight Distributing

[johndoe]

How and where do I get WD receivers and needed accesories for towing a new boat. <br /><br />How do I know what the hieght of the receiver should be... they sell 2" 4" etc... drop down and up raise style...<br /><br />thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weight Distributing

i bought my current receiver hitch on line and installed it my self. save $200 over U Hauls price, the were cheaper than anyone else here. Walmart sells the recever inserts. to figure out your drop on rise, get your hitch on the tow vehicle, back it up to the trailer. set the trailer so that it is level front to back, then, get a preson of about 150LBS, to stand on car bumper, you can tell if you need to raise or drop you ball. you want the trailer to ride as close to level as possible.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Weight Distributing

Any place that sells travel trailers will have weight distributing hitches and anti sway adapters<br />Quite usefull when pulling trailers with high tongue weights. Keeps bumper off the gropund without having to beef up suspension.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Weight Distributing

How big a boat are we talking about here and what type of tow vehicle do you have?

 

[johndoe]

Re: Weight Distributing

Upinsmoke, Already been through all that ... I am planning on pushing the limit on my dodge ram 1/2 ton with about 8000lbs. its rated at 8600.<br /><br />I will only be using it for a short time and on short trips... until I can upgrade to a 2500... should be some time next year. <br /><br />The point was I am having trouble finding infor on WD setups... as well as how they work... a drawing would help me make an educated purchase.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weight Distributing

just did this. do a internet search for < wieght distributing trailer hitches > found tons if info to numerous to start here. i think you can find enough information there to really confuse you, or make up you mind.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Weight Distributing

As Tash says, there is abundant info out there. Reese, Tow-Rite, and others make this stuff. You need a receiver, ball-mount that accepts the spring bars. Some setups have sway control integrated with the spring bars but other separate units are availble as well. I used to tow a 24 ft travel trailer with a full size Chevy 1/2 van and it worked just fine. That rig tipped the scales a little over 6000# with full water and gear.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Weight Distributing

okay, so I see single bar, round bar, trunnion bar, heavy duty trunnion bar and shanks and pole tongue adapters...<br /><br />this is where the confusion starts... which one do I need an why.?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Weight Distributing

Whether a spring bar or trunion bar is round, square or rectangular is of no importance. These are the bars that transfer weight from the trailer tongue to the tow vehicle. Think of them as wheel barrow handles attached to the back of your tow vehicle. The size or capacity you need depends on the amount of tongue weight you need to transfer. There are 500#, 750#, 1000# bars and probably higher. I would guess that 750# bars would be sufficient. One end of the bars attaches to the ball mount. They do not move up and down but do pivot sideways so you can go around a corner. The other end of the bars attach to the trailer frame using "snap up" brackets or a similar device. These devices are adjustable (some use chain links) so you can tension the bars to an amount that makes the entire rig level. If the back end sags, you don't have enough tension. If the back end is raised up sort of hump-back fashion, you have too much tension. The rig should ride level and not pitch as you go over minor road dips and humps. You really need to visit a travel trailer dealer and have them show you a video of how this works.