Can WDH really offload portion of hitch weight to the travel trailer axle?

[rtslab]

I have heard people debating this for years. Does people actually have proof a WDH can offload portion of hitch weight to the travel tailer axle? I was always told WDH can only move the hitch weight from rear axle of towing truck to the front axle of towing truck. It will not offload (porton of )hitch weight back the travel trailer axle. Is this true? Thanks!

 

[Rocsolid]

A portion will be moved to the travel trailer. There is a video on youtube showing it as they weigh the truck and trailer all hooked up.

 

[Trooper4]

Simple mechanical issue. When you pull on the bow string, does it load one or both ends of the bow? The only thing that is a variable is the pivot point, which determines the percentage of the total that goes to either the truck front axle, or trailer axle.

 

[silver billet]

It definitely moves weight to both the front axles and the trailer axles. You just need a cat scale and/or a measuring tape to prove it.

 

[IvoryHemi]

When I first got my TT, I weighed in once with and without WDH to see how it would distribute.

This was with a basically empty trailer, but you can see the WDH took 500 lbs off the rear axle and redistributed 360 lbs to the vehicle front axle and 140 lbs back to the trailer axles.

 

[rtslab]

When I first got my TT, I weighed in once with and without WDH to see how it would distribute.

This was with a basically empty trailer, but you can see the WDH took 500 lbs off the rear axle and redistributed 360 lbs to the vehicle front axle and 140 lbs back to the trailer axles.

This is great data! I have seen people always count all the hitch weight as part of the truck payload and your data just shows the truth is only larger portion(~70%) of hitch weight goes to the vehicle front axle and smnall portion(~30%) actually goes back to the trailer axles. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Dragonmaster13]

This is great data! I have seen people always count all the hitch weight as part of the truck payload and your data just shows the truth is only larger portion(~70%) of hitch weight goes to the vehicle front axle and smnall portion(~30%) actually goes back to the trailer axles. Thank you for sharing!

Yep, this is the only reason I can legally tow my trailer with a half ton. Without the WDH the truck is over GVWR and the rear axle is overweight. Trailer has scaled between 7100-7800 lbs depending on length of trip and if we have to carry water or not.


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[Zeronet]

This is great data! I have seen people always count all the hitch weight as part of the truck payload and your data just shows the truth is only larger portion(~70%) of hitch weight goes to the vehicle front axle and smnall portion(~30%) actually goes back to the trailer axles. Thank you for sharing!

Just to clarify. In IvoryHemi’s example, his total tongue weight was 1180. Of that, 140 was transferred to the trailer axles, or about 12%.

 

[rtslab]

Just to clarify. In IvoryHemi’s example, his total tongue weight was 1180. Of that, 140 was transferred to the trailer axles, or about 12%.

Just to clarify. In IvoryHemi’s example, his total tongue weight was 1180. Of that, 140 was transferred to the trailer axles, or about 12%.

Thanks for correction! Yep, with WDH, 30% of tongue weight goes to towing vehicle's front axle, 58% stays with towing vehicle's rear axle and 12% goes to travel trailer's axles.

 

[ClancyO]

Fwiw, most wdh are adjustable so these percentages can vary. I moved 200 lbs off the rear axle just by adding a washer to my hitch (forcing spring bars down, adding more tension).

 

[rtslab]

Fwiw, most wdh are adjustable so these percentages can vary. I moved 200 lbs off the rear axle just by adding a washer to my hitch (forcing spring bars down, adding more tension).

Wow, that is really nice to know. Mind taking a picture of yourt hitch with washer to see how the washer is positioned? I have am Equalizer WDH and wonder if I can do the same. Thanks!

 

[devildodge]

 

[rtslab]

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Thank you for sharing this super userful tip!

 

[rtslab]

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That said, the number of space washers to be used will only impact the weight offloaded from rear axle of towing truck to the front axle of towing truck, correct? Does tilt up/down angle because of different number of spacer washers also change the weight moved to the axles of travel trailer?

 

[Rocsolid]

 

[HAL9001]

I previously owned an Ascent SUV. The manufacturer does not allow the use of a WDH on that vehicle because the weight distribution overstresses the unibody. I gave up on that vehicle for towing and purchased a RAM 1500.