Hitch limits
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
For sure some applications can really be trouble. I hauled a U-Haul loaded poorly with too much weight one time. No WD when I should have had one and man, that was a first and last time for that.
I am guessing how the weight is distributed is crucial to good handling in those applications. I just drag RVs around so that is more than enough for me to think about.
Steve
I am guessing how the weight is distributed is crucial to good handling in those applications. I just drag RVs around so that is more than enough for me to think about.
Steve
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
From the graphic, it looks to me like you made an effort to distribute your load.
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Weight distribution on the trailer is critical for handling and ride quality. And in the truck.
Weight distribution can be accomplished without a WD hitch system.
Also, Air bags to keep things level.
Weight distribution can be accomplished without a WD hitch system.
Also, Air bags to keep things level.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I think weight distribution without a WD is possible on some, but no all travel trailers. It depends on the compartment layout, floorplan, etc.
Air bags level, but are not an effective means of transferring weight to the front axle.
Steve
Air bags level, but are not an effective means of transferring weight to the front axle.
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Warren, PA
Thanks for posting back.
The issue of warnings about what is legal when towing is a "hot button" issue for me, not because I disagree in principle with staying safe, but because I have read and heard so many statements about what is legal and what is not. I have literally devoted hours and hours trying to track down claims of one type or another regarding enforcement, virtually always arriving at a dead end.
I concur with the your statement. I recently spent days trying to unravel the DOT Number/CDL requirements and in the end I got so many conflicting answers I gave up. My brother talked to the local DOT enforcement officer and I talked to the state DOT rep and even they had different answers, the State rep said call the DC office and after being forwarded through no less than three folks in DC they told me that the states sometimes have different local rules so just follow the State Reps advice (keep in mind the state rep and local rep don't agree). So at this point we just follow the rules the best we can and use common sense and we will see what happens if we get pulled over.
It concerns me because I believe credibility when it comes to statements about safety, hinges on the validity of the statement. My concern is, if we simply say something for which there is not proof, folks start ignoring everything we say and start believing anything goes. I know I can't save the world, but -
Now, that is entirely different than disagreeing with your advice about something which I practice myself.
In this case, at the fair, was the DOT inspecting vehicles with commercial plates or ones towing recreation vehicles i.e. travel trailers and fifth wheels?
They were inspecting anybody towing anything, campers, horse trailers, equipment trailers; hell they even had a guy pulled over that was towing a Murray lawn tractor on a little Lowes trailer behind his car. Come to find out the local DOT guy has been trying to train a State and Borough Cop so used the vehicles headed to the fair for a captive training experience. They are getting crazy about inspections up here, it is not unusual to see them with two or three vehicles pulled over at a time along the Bye-Pass for inspections. I guess PA has determined they need more revenue so they are hunting for whatever they can get.
As to why folks don't use WD hitches, in the majority of cases, I don't get it either!
Steve
The issue of warnings about what is legal when towing is a "hot button" issue for me, not because I disagree in principle with staying safe, but because I have read and heard so many statements about what is legal and what is not. I have literally devoted hours and hours trying to track down claims of one type or another regarding enforcement, virtually always arriving at a dead end.
I concur with the your statement. I recently spent days trying to unravel the DOT Number/CDL requirements and in the end I got so many conflicting answers I gave up. My brother talked to the local DOT enforcement officer and I talked to the state DOT rep and even they had different answers, the State rep said call the DC office and after being forwarded through no less than three folks in DC they told me that the states sometimes have different local rules so just follow the State Reps advice (keep in mind the state rep and local rep don't agree). So at this point we just follow the rules the best we can and use common sense and we will see what happens if we get pulled over.
It concerns me because I believe credibility when it comes to statements about safety, hinges on the validity of the statement. My concern is, if we simply say something for which there is not proof, folks start ignoring everything we say and start believing anything goes. I know I can't save the world, but -
Now, that is entirely different than disagreeing with your advice about something which I practice myself.
In this case, at the fair, was the DOT inspecting vehicles with commercial plates or ones towing recreation vehicles i.e. travel trailers and fifth wheels?
They were inspecting anybody towing anything, campers, horse trailers, equipment trailers; hell they even had a guy pulled over that was towing a Murray lawn tractor on a little Lowes trailer behind his car. Come to find out the local DOT guy has been trying to train a State and Borough Cop so used the vehicles headed to the fair for a captive training experience. They are getting crazy about inspections up here, it is not unusual to see them with two or three vehicles pulled over at a time along the Bye-Pass for inspections. I guess PA has determined they need more revenue so they are hunting for whatever they can get.
As to why folks don't use WD hitches, in the majority of cases, I don't get it either!
Steve
Dave
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 3
From: Hanover, PA
Distributing weight correctly on a trailer is completely different than a weight distribution hitch. All trailers must be correctly loaded as per weight put onto the trailer. A WD hitch is used to distribute weight to the front axle of the truck. It is not used to compensate for an incorrectly front overloaded trailer. Check this out. This is just one brand.
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