Weight Distribution Hitch ?

[BillB]

What exactly is a weight distribution hitch and why is it better than the standard type hitch? I have the OEM hitch and harness installed on my 2008 RTS and will be buying a small travel trailer this spring and so many of you have been touting this type of hitch, but I do not know anything yet about the science of towing so this is the start of my education. Thanks.

[ToyTruck]

Bill--this topic is guaranteed to start all sorts of debate since Honda specifically advises against its use. Personally I use one, leftover from towing with my RAM. It's designed to take some of the tongue weight off the rear of the truck and distribute the load more evenly, if I have it correct. By use of chain links (on my model), I can determine how much pressure/shift of load happens; the tighter the links the more the lift of the RL rear.

That said, I have towed with mine and found that little to no tension is better--putting tension on the WDH really affected the way the RL handled, and seemed to actually interfere with the rear suspension. Driving over dips and bumps felt rather spooky to me. I set the chain links to barely "snug up" and the handling is perfect--I use it mainly to attach my anti-sway bar.

Plenty of posts here regarding the WDH. My advice would be to tow without one and see how well the RL does the job. I think you'll be amazed, as this truck shatters the old myths of how to tow. Unless your trailer tongue weight is obscenely high, you won't need one.

[Ahab]

I second Toytruck's advice about trying to tow without it. My TT is 4000# fully loaded with 407# on the hitch. I don't use a WDH or anti-sway device and it does just fine.

[Webwader]

A WDH is a band-aid to reduce the weight on and overloaded rear suspension. It does so by using the hitch ball as a fulcrum point and bars and chains to transfer load to the trailer axle and front axle of the tow vehicle. Improper adjustment can overload the trailer axle and it can also reduce the axle load on the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the point where handiing is severely compromised. Also, any load tranferred is carried directly through the hitch ball, so it had better be well lubricated. I tow a 3,500 lb trailer that has a tongue weight of 400 lb. and do not use a WDH. The rear end sag at the hitch ball (maximum sag point) is 1 3/8". Since the RL has an unloaded weight distribution of 58/42, with the trailer connected, the weight on the front axle is still more than 50%.

[BillB]

Thanks for some advice on using WDH and sounds like I won't be starting off using one as I anticipate going with as lightweight a rig as we can be comfortable in. Sounds like I just need to find a proper hitch attachment to keep the trailer as level as possible to start and maybe also a brake controller if needed to complete the OEM set up.

[Me2]

I'd consider a brake controller a necessity, not an option. Many states require it on all but the lightest of trailers, and even if it's legal not to have it, you'll really appreciate it on anything over 1500 pounds or so should you need to stomp the brakes.

[3DCadman]

Toytruck,

We just picked up a Forest River Surveyor 233T. The dealer threw in a Blue Ox weight distribution hitch for free, without asking if I had a preference.

When we were given the instructions how to set it up upon delivery, he set it to 3 tight links. I agree that the handling was sort of spooky. When it was set up the chains had quite a bit of tension, and the truck/camper looked perfectly level.

I think that next time I tow, I'm going to do what you said and barely set the tension, mostly just to get the sway bar function. I'm not sure if I'll have to drop one or 2 links.

[ToyTruck]

Cadman, Not sure how yours is, but mine works perfectly at 5 links, which is "just barely". It's kind of weird feeling snugged up--like the rear can't move up or down.

[TeamRidgeline]

I'm in the same situation. Have a system from the previous tow rig, but 1 year later have still not installed it on a 4500 lb enclosed car hauler setup. This setup tows so well even in high side winds (actually more stable towing than not) I haven't seen the need with one exception. With the recent addition of a Lear topper I'm now getting a bit too much rear end drop under tow load. Think I'm going to go with an airbag setup instead, assuming somebody makes one for the RL.

[VoicesInMyHead]

Originally Posted by TeamRidgeline

Think I'm going to go with an airbag setup instead, assuming somebody makes one for the RL.

RustyH has an airbag setup. Click Here. He also just got back from a 5K towing trip.