A weight distribution hitch - dangerous trailer without one

How do you know if you need a best weight distribution hitch?

A weight distributing tow bar must be used when the trailer weighs more than 50% of the vehicle weight.

Why do you need a weight distribution hook?

Otherwise, the weight of the tongue would be excessive at the point where it connects to the rear of your vehicle. The TW or "Tongue Weight" is the force / weight of the tow bar pressing on the tow bar of your vehicle. This will lower the front of your trailer and the back of your car or truck, with the front of your truck up.

4 Disadvantages of NO weight distribution clutch:

1. Sloppy handling

If you lift the front of your truck without one, with all that extra weight pressing on the rear bumper, often your steering gets sloppy, as the front axle now has less weight on it.

2. Longer braking distance

Without it, the braking distance increases: much of a vehicle's braking power comes from the front tires / front axle; lose weight and you are looking for problems.

3. Reduced traction

Another downside to NO weight distribution clutch is less traction, which only makes sense if the front of your truck isn't in good contact with the road.

4. Greater swing of the trailer

Since most of the trailer weight and vehicle weight is concentrated in the hitch ball area, the rear of the trailer, like the front of your truck, has less weight and traction, making it prone to the fish tail.

How do weight distribution hooks work?

They add spring beams to the coupling system to provide leverage between the tow vehicle and trailer. What it does is distribute the force of the tongue's weight across all axles on both the trailer and tow vehicle. This keeps the trailer and your truck horizontal; It won't have that weird looking "V" shape in the link's connection area, where in the profile view of your setup the link is at the bottom of the "V". Performance increases significantly, as does safety.

This is why the clutch hooks are inherently better; the weight of the trailer is concentrated in the center of the truck floor, between the truck cabin and the rear axle. But fifth wheels are for heavier trailer loads, not conventional lift and towing systems for lighter trailers.

How to get the right size

Personally, I would only ask a qualified person such as a reputable RV dealer or an equally qualified person who regularly deals with all kinds of hitches.

But the following are some guidelines to keep in mind:

A best weight-distributing hitch tow bar has two weight ratings: GTW (gross trailer weight) and tongue weight (TW). The MTM power of the weight distribution coupling system must be greater than or equal to the laden weight of the trailer. The TW value on the weight distribution hooks refers to the weight of the trailer tongue plus the weight of the vehicle load behind the rear axle. So you can't forget to add the weight you will have in your trailer to get your TW, don't just calculate the curb weight of your trailer.

How did you get the GTW?

The best and most reliable way is to put everything on your trailer that will actually tow and drive to a weighbridge.

How is the TW obtained?

For smaller trailers, you can weigh the tongue on a personal scale with a loaded trailer. But a quick rule of thumb is that your TW is typically 10 to 15 percent of your GTW.