Do I need a WDH or does tow package already include it?

I have a 2017 TRD Off-Road with tow package and looking to buy a used camper trailer. It's 3,663 lbs dry with 638 hitch weight. From reading on here, I'm pretty sure I need a weight distribution hitch, but I'm not sure if the hitch I have is already a WDH. Does the tow package include a WDH or how do I check?

This is the camper in looking at buying.
https://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/products/light-weight/amerilite/model/197bh

For what it's worth, I tow a lot of utility trailers and a canoe trailer, but this will be the heaviest yet.

 

It does not come with one. Try the googles and look up WDH to familiarize yourself with the concept. Once you see it you’ll understand what’s happening. Good luck, that’s a lot of hitch weight. Check all the ratings carefully. That trailer with me and the wife would be over payload capacity. Maybe be able to squeeze in the dog.

 

Thanks! I took a deep dive into WDHes and feeling pretty confident. As to the weight, I was thinking the GCWR is the other big number I need to pay attention to? For my truck with a tow package, we're looking a GCWR of 11,280 lbs. But from your comment, does the trailer also add to the vehicle capacity weight? Which is only 1,000 lbs.

I am still confused on how the truck can have a GCWR of 11,280 lbs, but a capacity limit of only 1,000 lbs.

 

Greetings,

I am still new to towing also and I asked many of the same questions. Your tow vehicle has a payload rating. The tongue weight of the trailer uses up the payload in the tow vehicle. Example. my truck has a payload of 980lbs. of that 980 payload 350lb of it is used by the hitch tongue weight. that means that after I hook up my trailer I only have room for 630lb of payload in the tow vehicle. that 630 lbs is me, my girl friend. all her luggage. fuel etc....

Any weight that you then add to the trailer will take reduce the available payload of the tow vehicle.
On top of that the trailer is self has a max payload rating for how much you can load into it.

You can find all those values on the plaque or sticker on the trailer. It should also tell you the weight of the water tank when full.

To make matters more fun. you must also be sure to not max out any of the weight ratings for any of your axles. This is where having a WD would be helpful if you were getting close to the limit on your rear tow vehicle axle. It would disburse some of it to the tow vehicle front axle and the trailer axle.

I hope this was helpful.

As I mentioned I am still pretty new to all this so if anyone reading this who has more experience wants to correct any element, please do


E

 

this is because the tongue weight is 15% of the total weight of the trailer and not the GCWR

 

The tow pkg, as others have stated, does not come with a WDH, and YES you need one. It makes everything better, for real. And they make lighter ones, so you don't need a zillion pound one that increases your tongue weight by double...my little Tacoma Sport long bed easily pulls a 3800lb dry weight toy hauler with a 150lb tongue weight and a WDH. MPG leaves a lot to be desired as single digits hurts a bit, otherwise it drives fine.

 

A "WDH" or Weight Distribution Hitch is a separate item that attaches to your trailer. Helps with anti sway and takes out some of the "Squat" on your trucks rear end. I had an "EZ Hitch".
Worked great for me. I understand some WDH set ups have to be detached before backing up?