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Do I need a weight distribution hitch?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by rcballard, Feb 8, 2018.

  1. Feb 8, 2018 at 2:40 PM
    #1
    rcballard

    rcballard [OP] Member

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    I have a 2017 Tacoma V-6 4x4 with tow package. Tha travel trailer that I will be towing weighs 3000 dry with hitch weight of 360#. Should I get a WDH?
     
    PorterWilliam likes this.
  2. Feb 8, 2018 at 3:46 PM
    #2
    Indy

    Indy Master of all I survey.

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    Nice but not required.
     
  3. Feb 8, 2018 at 5:01 PM
    #3
    awdvkd115

    awdvkd115 Well-Known Member

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    Yes, safer and easier on equipment!
     
  4. Feb 8, 2018 at 5:14 PM
    #4
    Exracer2

    Exracer2 Well-Known Member

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    Yes and no.


    A WDH won’t ever hurt anything but your wallet and hook up times. That said they can be a huge help in drivability and comfort by keeping everything balanced and weighted properly. At your claimed 3000lbs dry plus whatever load you add you are at the point where the benefits start becoming increasingly more apparent.

    I have a 14’ enclosed and loaded I am approaching your weight. I am shopping for a WDH myself. While it tows OK I can see where this truck is affected more by tongue weight than my old 3/4T truck. I am sure if I always get my load balance correct I should be fine. That takes a lot of planning each and every load whereas using a WDH makes it less finicky. So that is why I am looking to use the WDH.
     
    kryten likes this.
  5. Feb 8, 2018 at 8:08 PM
    #5
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    You don’t absolutely need a wdh but you will be better off with one. It will reduce sway, improve handling and add a little safety. Worth the investment.
     
  6. Feb 8, 2018 at 8:16 PM
    #6
    airsavage

    airsavage Well-Known Member

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    Welcome aboard. For safety and control why not do all you can.
     
  7. Feb 9, 2018 at 7:49 AM
    #7
    PorterWilliam

    PorterWilliam Member

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    Well, from towing with and without experience. Both are possible, however since I got mine for my Bullet towing with my 07' has been a lot more secure and safe and is now without sway and or nerves becoming tense in the cross winds. So, my suggestion would be it is simply a very good idea and safer. Have fun and stay safe.
     
  8. Feb 9, 2018 at 10:20 AM
    #8
    rcballard

    rcballard [OP] Member

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    Thanks everyone for your input, a WDH is added to my shopping list. I like the ones from Andersen.
     
  9. Feb 13, 2018 at 6:41 PM
    #9
    ionyota

    ionyota Well-Known Member

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    Would you guys recommend a WDH when towing above a certain weight? Or are there other factors...type of trailer, surface area for cross wind, length of the trailer, etc?

    For reference, I will occasionally be towing a pop-up camper that weighs about 1,700 lbs. dry and maybe 2,100 fully loaded. Tongue weight dry is about 180 lbs.
     
  10. Feb 14, 2018 at 4:46 AM
    #10
    Exracer2

    Exracer2 Well-Known Member

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    Definitely surface area in cross winds affects sway more than say a flatbed or a pop up. Load balance will also cause sway but in that case you NEED to rebalance your load as a WDH will be fighting it all the way. I have had a sway due to load balance so bad that it was using 1 1/2 lanes down the highway. I pulled off at the next ramp and readjusted and everything was one finger on the steering wheel after that. Weight affects tongue weight as a ratio and as your tow weight goes up the sag may increase and then you need a WDH to put weight back on the front wheels. That again is dependent on the tow vehicle as a much larger tow vehicle will be less affected by a higher tow or tongue weight than a smaller truck like a Tacoma.

    In your case I would say you shouldn’t have any issues but then again the deciding factor is when you do a test run and see how it handles. I am pretty confident that you will barely know it is there.
     
    ionyota likes this.
  11. Feb 14, 2018 at 5:36 AM
    #11
    Lord Humongous

    Lord Humongous The Ayatolah Of RockNRolla

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    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lord-humongous-gigahorse-build.436524/
    This Is from the 3rd gen owners manual.
    recommendation for WDH <=5000lbs.
    Screenshot_20160717-103232.jpg
    I tow 3500lb trailer with tounge weight around 300lb, somewhat regularly and can say the WDH is a nice improvment. Even with the smaller trailer it reduces driver fatigue and allows for a more enjoyable towing expierence.

    *Edit* I'll also add your trailer can be too little for a WDH. Consider your pulling a near capacity expo trailer with a 1500 lb rated axle. You also also carry tons of gear in your truck plus a bed rack ect, ect. A WDH distributes weight through the trailer and TV so you could actually overload the small trailer due the increased load of the TV.
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
    ionyota likes this.
  12. Feb 14, 2018 at 7:21 PM
    #12
    AdamM

    AdamM Semi-pro aardvark wrangler

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    I tow a tent trailer that's a little bit heavier than yours, and I don't have a weight distributing hitch, and have never had an issue. In fact, my trailer isn't even braked, and I have not had a single issue while pulling it. That kind of weight is not any kind of problem for our trucks, and the tongue weight of your trailer isn't going to be much, I can lift my trailer tongue easily and move the trailer around by hand. A weight distributing hitch certainly wont hurt, but I don't think it's necessary for your scenario.
     
  13. Feb 15, 2018 at 3:04 PM
    #13
    qdude79

    qdude79 Active Member

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    The rule of thumb I've always read is that if the trailer is greater than half the tow vehicle's weight, get a WDH.

    Second rule of thumb: If you have to ask... you probably need it.
     
    TheGoodLife and awdvkd115 like this.
  14. Feb 15, 2018 at 8:30 PM
    #14
    ionyota

    ionyota Well-Known Member

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    I agree with rule #1...rule #2 I'm not sure about, in this case.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2018

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