Weight Distribution Hitch Poll

[Birdman_2000]

They serve different purposes. WDH has a leveling effect, but ultimately you are trying to put weight evenly across the axles. airbags actually push the back of the truck up to eliminate sag.

Yep, I got the bags before the trailer. Read about them helping take some of the wiggle out and improving ride quality. I feel like they do that and the hitch still works fine.

 

[itsrook]

Short answer: with the L-brackets one notch lower on both sides than usual, the effect of the WDH was barely better than not using the WDH at all.

Long answer: I had to lower my L-brackets because I lost the bar used to snap the trunnion bars onto the L-brackets. I could get the driver side bar on the L-bracket myself, but I couldn't get the passenger side trunnion bar even close to the L-bracket. We were leaving on a weekend trip, so I had to get the trailer hooked up; as a result I opted to lower the L-brackets just so I could lift the trunnion bar onto the L-brackets (both sides). I figured that being attached would be better than nothing. Turns out, that's true, but barely. I felt the trailer tugging and swaying as we went over road undulation. The feeling was more like towing without the WDH than it was towing with the WDH.

With a new trunnion bar snap tool in hand, I won't have to deal with the lower position on the brackets again.

Until I lose the tool again, that is.

You know you can just jack the trailer and truck up with the hoist and slip the bars on. The higher you go the easier it is, then you just lower back down.

 

[ayoslickxd]

so which would be the best bang for buck ?? any recommendations

 

[Terrible_One]

I have a 27" 5500lb (dry) TT and I have been debating on getting a WDH. When I pulled the TT from the dealership my truck did great for the most part, but what I really noticed was quite a bit of porpoise'ing on my Limited with factory air ride. It sounds like the WDH will help greatly with that with the added benefit of sway control?

 

[Seadoorxpguy]

Between ease of hook up and not having to deal with a heavy hitch to slide in and out of the receiver of my truck the propride or Hensley hands down are worth it. i have over 10k miles on mine now towing a 32' tt and there is zero sway.

 

[WXman]

so which would be the best bang for buck ?? any recommendations

Post #4, 9, 15.....

 

[ALT_F13]

I'm using Husky Centerline TS to pull 6500lb GVWR travel trailer. Had no issues on mountain roads even during storming weather. I usually disconnect the bars when leaving the highway and going off-road so bumps are not transferred from the trailer to the truck.

 

[RammedMan]

Just wondering what weight distribution hitches everyone is using for towing travel trailers. What works, what doesn't? Any issues with sway or turning?

I have the RECURVE R6 WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH KIT - 1000LB. I absolutely love this system. I don't have turn radius restrictions and I have towed with this hitch 3900 mile round trip. I go up 6 and 7 percent grades with no issues. The hitch is basically universal. You switch out the bars for a higher rating depending on the trailer.

 

[Davenator]

I just used my new Husky Centreline TS for the first time. Had a Husky Bar and chain type with sway control for about 5 years with a 12 sport, 18 sport and 24 rebel and the Centreline is literally night and day better. Tried dialing in the bar and chain, added one… then 2 sway controls to it. Found I was always white knuckling it in even light wind conditions, trying to keep everything stable. Terrible wdh.
The Centreline….solid as a rock. Up and down the Coquihalla Hwy in BC , trucks passing me , me passing trucks, some wind . No problems. Last year, same trip with the bar and chain and another trip down to Oregon I thought we were going to die lol. The Centreline moans and creeks and pops while turning but I’ll safety over some noise any day.

 

[31RamIt]

I just used my new Husky Centreline TS for the first time. Had a Husky Bar and chain type with sway control for about 5 years with a 12 sport, 18 sport and 24 rebel and the Centreline is literally night and day better. Tried dialing in the bar and chain, added one… then 2 sway controls to it. Found I was always white knuckling it in even light wind conditions, trying to keep everything stable. Terrible wdh.
The Centreline….solid as a rock. Up and down the Coquihalla Hwy in BC , trucks passing me , me passing trucks, some wind . No problems. Last year, same trip with the bar and chain and another trip down to Oregon I thought we were going to die lol. The Centreline moans and creeks and pops while turning but I’ll safety over some noise any day.

For my Equal-i-zer I placed a small amount of grease on the tops of the L-brackets where the bars rest. Not a lot, but just enough to stop the sound. Haven't noticed any diminished sway control. I'm not sure if Husky has a similar product, but equal-i-zer has plastic rub pieces that sit on the surface of the L-brackets as well.

 

[JEPomer]

Mid June we purchased a 2024 RAM 1500 Tradesman with the towing package and "off road" protection kit. In May we purchased a new (2023) travel trailer so we can travel around North America and enjoy our retirement.

Since my 2012 Grand Cherokee (with Chrysler's lifetime extended warranty) needed an engine repair and my fall-back vehicle, a 2007 Dakota needed new brake lines, when we saw this 2024 Tradesman with all sorts of discounts BEFORE trade-ins and Chrysler buying out the lifetime extended warranty, we purchased this "base" level RAM. It has what we needed most and at its price we could afford to make upgrades as we choose. So far we've upgraded from the 5 inch to 8.3 inch radio (via Infotainment). I am in the process of installing the passive entry having been spoiled with that feature since 2004. I have all the parts, checking my tools and directions one more time, but it is raining today. Tomorrow looks good!

In 1998 my wife and I purchased a travel trailer to tow behind my 1998 Cherokee — in line 6. Along with it, we got a bar and chain distribution hitch and friction sway control. It worked well. After my wife died, my children and I transitioned to a 25 ft. motorhome. That motorhome served us well especially after I remarried and needed to take to kids to visit then move into colleges.

I was planning on using the motorhome when my wife and I retired, BUT I unfortunately left the engine cover loose one winter. Amazing what those furry creatures can do in one winter once they were given half a chance.

That is what lead us to purchasing the travel trailer. When the Grand Cherokee decided to exhibit issues at 265K miles, we got the RAM.

We did take the RAM and travel trailer on its shakedown trip this July. The 25 year-old weight distribution hitch functioned as well as I remember it did when it was new. The RAM and its trailer tow features did their part. (Although I did notice that the motorhome got slightly better fuel economy than the RAM and travel trailer.)

We will be using this 25 year-old weight distribution hitch assembly for the upcoming months. It is a simple solution. Besides, once I cleaned the surface rust from the friction parts, it was like new. After this years, we will decide what to get next for a weight distribution setup. But for now, this one is working.

 

[RAM Patriot]

Mid June we purchased a 2024 RAM 1500 Tradesman with the towing package and "off road" protection kit. In May we purchased a new (2023) travel trailer so we can travel around North America and enjoy our retirement.

Since my 2012 Grand Cherokee (with Chrysler's lifetime extended warranty) needed an engine repair and my fall-back vehicle, a 2007 Dakota needed new brake lines, when we saw this 2024 Tradesman with all sorts of discounts BEFORE trade-ins and Chrysler buying out the lifetime extended warranty, we purchased this "base" level RAM. It has what we needed most and at its price we could afford to make upgrades as we choose. So far we've upgraded from the 5 inch to 8.3 inch radio (via Infotainment). I am in the process of installing the passive entry having been spoiled with that feature since 2004. I have all the parts, checking my tools and directions one more time, but it is raining today. Tomorrow looks good!

In 1998 my wife and I purchased a travel trailer to tow behind my 1998 Cherokee — in line 6. Along with it, we got a bar and chain distribution hitch and friction sway control. It worked well. After my wife died, my children and I transitioned to a 25 ft. motorhome. That motorhome served us well especially after I remarried and needed to take to kids to visit then move into colleges.

I was planning on using the motorhome when my wife and I retired, BUT I unfortunately left the engine cover loose one winter. Amazing what those furry creatures can do in one winter once they were given half a chance.

That is what lead us to purchasing the travel trailer. When the Grand Cherokee decided to exhibit issues at 265K miles, we got the RAM.

We did take the RAM and travel trailer on its shakedown trip this July. The 25 year-old weight distribution hitch functioned as well as I remember it did when it was new. The RAM and its trailer tow features did their part. (Although I did notice that the motorhome got slightly better fuel economy than the RAM and travel trailer.)

We will be using this 25 year-old weight distribution hitch assembly for the upcoming months. It is a simple solution. Besides, once I cleaned the surface rust from the friction parts, it was like new. After this years, we will decide what to get next for a weight distribution setup. But for now, this one is working.

If you want to get a better tow experience you might want to consider the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System, they made a huge difference in the squat on my truck and should make setting up the weight distribution hitch much easier.

2009-Present RAM 1500 Crew Cab & Quad Cab Timbren SES Suspension Enhancement System - Rear Kit

The Timbren DR1500DQ SES is a rear suspension enhancement system for the RAM 1500 made between 2009 and Present Day. Shop now.

timbren.com

 

[silver billet]

If you want to get a better tow experience you might want to consider the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System, they made a huge difference in the squat on my truck and should make setting up the weight distribution hitch much easier.

2009-Present RAM 1500 Crew Cab & Quad Cab Timbren SES Suspension Enhancement System - Rear Kit

The Timbren DR1500DQ SES is a rear suspension enhancement system for the RAM 1500 made between 2009 and Present Day. Shop now.

timbren.com

Please be careful with these "single point" suspension helpers, there are reports of cracked frames on these 5th gens while using them.

 

[JEPomer]

I will be researching the various weight distribution options. So far the 35 year-old design is working. I do expect to make a change next summer.

 

[Hepcat]

I have towed <mostly> Airstreams since 1987 in varous lengths (up to a 34' tri-axle two-door) with various tow vehicles. For most of that time I used Reese Dual-Cam setups with great success. I used a light Anderson on a 19' MPG trailer and was amazed at how well it did. When I bought my '20 Airstream 23' GT FBQ, it came with a Blue Ox Pro and 850 lb bars. It did ok, but I was/am less than impressed with the way it handled the trailer behind my '22 Jeep Gladiator Overland compared to the Reese setups. I transferred the Blue Ox to my '22 Airstream 27' GT FBQ with 1k bars and was even less impressed with it behind my '25 Laramie 1500 max-tow. The truck has a deep squat on the stock suspension as well.

I found a used ProPride 3P with some missing parts fairly inexpensively and picked it up. I ordered all the parts I needed from ProPride and I'm still $1000 under buying a new one. It does what it is supposed to do, and does it well, but the truck still has a significant squat, so I just had the Timbren SES installed on the recommendation of my dealer. I'm going out today to do a new setup on the hitch with the Timbren SES installed. I have to say though that after years of saying the ProPride is overkill because a balanced trailer and reasonable towing speeds are the keys to eliminating sway, I'm convinced that the ProPride 3P does what it advertises it does. It really is an amazing apparatus once you get it all figured out.