Not using WDH
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 650
Likes: 245
I dont use a WDH. But my trailer is only 24ft. And 5000#. I do have one though. I just dont need it at this moment with my trailer. It’s a PITA to setup especially in 100 degree south Texas heat. I’d rather just hook and gooooooo
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 752
Likes: 519
Towmeister,
Ive never had trouble with WDH's and saltwater. My saltwater excursions have been limited, but I found salt-away and Corrosion X worked great with the hitch.
Boats tow much better than box and camper trailers. This is due to the axles on a boat trailer being much further back (as that is where boats are heaviest), and a boat is much more aerodynamic. These two differences make boat trailers porpoise far less and sway from passing semi's far less. Still, less is not none. And placing weight back over the steer axle has big benefits in safety and comfort.
I routinely pull a boat on triple axle trailer that weighs in excess of 20,000lbs. Even with a 450, the WDH makes a noticeable improvement in ride and handling.
Ive never had trouble with WDH's and saltwater. My saltwater excursions have been limited, but I found salt-away and Corrosion X worked great with the hitch.
Boats tow much better than box and camper trailers. This is due to the axles on a boat trailer being much further back (as that is where boats are heaviest), and a boat is much more aerodynamic. These two differences make boat trailers porpoise far less and sway from passing semi's far less. Still, less is not none. And placing weight back over the steer axle has big benefits in safety and comfort.
I routinely pull a boat on triple axle trailer that weighs in excess of 20,000lbs. Even with a 450, the WDH makes a noticeable improvement in ride and handling.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
Yes you need a WDH
Recently acquired my first super duty in about 20 years - a 21 f250 fx4 crew with 7.3 and about 2,800 pounds payload and optional 3.55 electronic differential rear end.
I have a 31 foot travel trailer with tongue weight of about 750 or so pounds and trailer weight is around 7,000 pounds (listed at 6,300 and we don't carry water).
I have dropped the trailer on my hitch without using the wdh and it doesn't squat it much.
Would it be wise or practical to eliminate the WDH and just activate the truck's built-in anti-sway features. I disable them when towing with the WDH.
It would not break my heart to not use the hitch.
I have a 31 foot travel trailer with tongue weight of about 750 or so pounds and trailer weight is around 7,000 pounds (listed at 6,300 and we don't carry water).
I have dropped the trailer on my hitch without using the wdh and it doesn't squat it much.
Would it be wise or practical to eliminate the WDH and just activate the truck's built-in anti-sway features. I disable them when towing with the WDH.
It would not break my heart to not use the hitch.
Your goal is to get the truck front axle weight with the trailer connected equal to the truck front axle weight with no trailer. Or saying it another way, you are restoring the weight to the front of the truck that applying the trailer lifted off of it. You can estimate this by measuring fender height with and without trailer, but a scale that weighs the front axle alone is more accurate, especially if the trucks front end is stiff.
I would bet the tongue weight is going to be more than 750 pounds for a 31 foot travel trailer. Taking it to a scale will show that...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 111
Likes: 51
Sure, most of us could do without in many instances, but when $his hits the fan? The saying of, "there are no atheists in foxholes" comes to mind.
I'm retiring SOON from a career in truck driving, and one thing is certain, there is no shortage of STUPID out there on the roads!
With a 4,508 payload rating, and a 1,200lb tongue wt..... I could do it ... but why?
My new truck & new TT represents a $100K investment, in addition to my riders, and the traveling public around me. WDH for me please!
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 233
Using a properly set up WDH, in addition to the vehicles built-in anti-sway features, is the best of both worlds and will normally result in the most pleasureable towing experience. I've tried it in every combination and that is what had the best stabilty, best ride, etc.
7th Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
The pickup is designed to have its load in the bed over the axle, not hanging out past the bumper on a ball hitch, thats why a WDH is needed to conter-act that force. If you picture the truck alone, with a 1000# load on the ball hitch, the truck will be unstable to swerving because you moved its center of gravity backwards. Its *** heavy and will fish tail if you goose it with a swerve of the steering wheel or if the trailer gooses it from wind pressure from a passing semi. You increase your chance of an out of control sway(search for videos on youtube).
Your goal is to get the truck front axle weight with the trailer connected equal to the truck front axle weight with no trailer. Or saying it another way, you are restoring the weight to the front of the truck that applying the trailer lifted off of it. You can estimate this by measuring fender height with and without trailer, but a scale that weighs the front axle alone is more accurate, especially if the trucks front end is stiff.
I would bet the tongue weight is going to be more than 750 pounds for a 31 foot travel trailer. Taking it to a scale will show that...
Your goal is to get the truck front axle weight with the trailer connected equal to the truck front axle weight with no trailer. Or saying it another way, you are restoring the weight to the front of the truck that applying the trailer lifted off of it. You can estimate this by measuring fender height with and without trailer, but a scale that weighs the front axle alone is more accurate, especially if the trucks front end is stiff.
I would bet the tongue weight is going to be more than 750 pounds for a 31 foot travel trailer. Taking it to a scale will show that...
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 1,197
From: Southeast MO
Considering the ratio of the distance from rear axle to ball hitch and rear axle to front axle, if you add 1000 lb to the ball hitch, that unloads no more than 300-350 lb off the front axle, correct? That’s less than the difference in weight on the front axle between a diesel and a gas engine. Why would a diesel truck need weight distributed to the front axle in that situation when it still has more weight up front due to the engine than a gas truck?
7th Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Anyone have actual calculations of that effect? We can calculate the static effect of weight easily, how much dynamic force is applied when porpoising? My towing experience with a 34 ft trailer is only with long bed crew cab models. I never felt much difference in the porpoising effect with or without a wdh.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 1,197
From: Southeast MO
Anyone have actual calculations of that effect? We can calculate the static effect of weight easily, how much dynamic force is applied when porpoising? My towing experience with a 34 ft trailer is only with long bed crew cab models. I never felt much difference in the porpoising effect with or without a wdh.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 314
Likes: 90
My Blue Ox manual says the same. I have tried it both ways, and noticed no difference. It would be nice the know the science behind the instruction.
7th Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
If you aren’t incorrectly loading the trailer to cause self-propagating sway, the truck’s system probably never activates. The passive friction in the wdh to make the swaying motion more difficult is doing all the work.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 314
Likes: 90
Exactly, not sure why they suggest it then. The only thing I could think is maybe if there is sway, the timing between the truck counter measures, and the natural sway reduction could be offset is such a way that it would amplify sway?