Weight Distribution Hitch

[wavery]

After reading all the posts on WDHs, I've decided to buy one......I'm not sure why. My rig seems to handle pretty well...guess I'm running out of things to buy. :U I just want to be sure that I don't buy something that I may regret later.........ANY and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Anyway, I thought that I would like to get some opinions from you guys that use them. I found this one on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION-DISTRIBUTING-EQUALIZER-HITCH-1000-R_W0QQitemZ220416774689QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3351dd1221&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1171%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Anyone have any thoughts???

My TrailManor is about 4,000# loaded, tongue wt 450#. I typically put about 350# of gear in the back of the truck (including the camper shell). I have air bags on the leaf springs and air shocks:eyecrazy:.........leveling is not an issue. Braking is my main concern. It's not been an issue up to now but it only takes once....

I tow with a Chevy S-10 specs below
-----------------------------------
Curb weight   3,198 lbs.  
GVWR   4,400 lbs.
GCWR   9,800 lbs.  
Front GAWR   2,500 lbs.  
Rear GAWR   2,300 lbs.  
Payload   1,202 lbs.  
Front axle capacity   2,500 lbs.  
Rear axle capacity   2,900 lbs.  
Front spring rating   2,500 lbs.  
Rear spring rating   2,700 lbs.  
Towing capacity   6,400 lbs.

[dkutz]

I was thinking of getting one too, but I don't have money to blow...will you buy me one??

[wavery]

I was thinking of getting one too, but I don't have money to blow...will you buy me one??

I'l discuss that with you later BUDDY :compumad:...........San Elijo Camping Partner......bite me....:swear:

[dkutz]

I'l discuss that with you later BUDDY :compumad:...........San Elijo Camping Partner......bite me....:swear:

Once again if I had money to buy campsites for all sccampers I would.  Hell I was looking at the group site at san clemente, and didn't do it cause I couldn't afford it... (some people can buy a POS on ebay with no problem..not me)

[wavery]

Once again if I had money to buy campsites for all sccampers I would.  Hell I was looking at the group site at san clemente, and didn't do it cause I couldn't afford it... ([COLOR="Red"]some people can buy a POS on ebay [/COLOR]with no problem..not me)

OH YA!!!!!! Rub it in..........:%

[wavery]

ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!

Any advise on the WDH....??

[coach]

Is the hitch rated for 450lb without WD? That would be the reason to use WDH.

From what I've read, you would not want 1000 lb bars, 600 seems the best fit!
If you are comfortable with out WD, why add the added hookup?
If the rear axle ain't overloaded ?

[wavery]

Is the hitch rated for 450lb without WD? That would be the reason to use WDH.

From what I've read, you would not want 1000 lb bars, 600 seems the best fit!
If you are comfortable with out WD, why add the added hookup?
If the rear axle ain't overloaded ?

My TV actually has a Class IV hitch. I think that it is rated at 10,000# and 1,000# tongue wt.

My understanding is that when you apply your brakes the load is increased on the hitch ball which is located aft of rear axle of the TV (shifted from the trailer). This makes the rear axle a fulcrum point and the increase in weight behind the fulcrum point decreases the weight forward of the fulcrum point.

The decrease in weight on the front wheels may cause a lack of braking and control in a panic stop.

I suppose that this depends (to some extent) on the design of the trailer also. Most PU campers have the axle pretty centrally located on the trailer. I would think that that design would make for less of a weight shift. However, on the TrailManor, the axle is located farther aft. This makes for great tracking (less sway) but increases the tongue weight and I suppose increase the likelihood of front axle weight "unloading" while braking.

I'm not sure that I explained that correctly but that's my concern in a nutshell......:sombraro:

[wavery]

OK........I found an EAZ Lift 1000# WDH including sway bar on craigslist. It's "Like New" (literally) and I picked it up for $150. I figured, for that little, it's worth giving it a try to see how it works.

I installed it (took about 10 minutes) and took the rig for a test drive. I immediately noticed a difference in the way that the truck felt. I can go over dips without noticing as much difference as before.

I tried a hard stop from 50MPH and was shocked that my front wheels skidded (note that I have never done this before). However, I then removed the spring bars and tried the same panic stop, in exactly the same speed and place. The skid was worse and I lost steering. I sorta hate to open the TM now. I hope everything isn't upside down in there, as I normally don't drive like that.

I will follow up in a few weeks after we complete our next camping trip.

[dkutz]

OK........I found an EAZ Lift 1000# WDH including sway bar on craigslist. It's "Like New" (literally) and I picked it up for $150. I figured, for that little, it's worth giving it a try to see how it works.

I installed it (took about 10 minutes) and took the rig for a test drive. I immediately noticed a difference in the way that the truck felt. I can go over dips without noticing as much difference as before.

I tried a hard stop from 50MPH and was shocked that my front wheels skidded (note that I have never done this before). However, I then removed the spring bars and tried the same panic stop, in exactly the same speed and place. The skid was worse and I lost steering. I sorta hate to open the TM now. I hope everything isn't upside down in there, as I normally don't drive like that.

I will follow up in a few weeks after we complete our next camping trip.

Boy you don't waste any time.  Did you find me one??

[coach]

What was your basis for 'adjustment'? wheel well height, certified scale weight before hook up, ?)

[wavery]

What was your basis for 'adjustment'? wheel well height, certified scale weight before hook up, ?)

Measuring front and rear wheel well height, before and after hook-up to be sure the the front drop is equal to the rear. However, I didn't learn that until after I tested it the 1st time.

Now that I have adjusted it some, I'll give it a new road test.....tomorrow.

[coach]

I find it ever so interesting that a Honda Odyssey (front wheel drive) & other minivans recommends WDH at 1000 lb and is 'required' at 2000 lb trailer while the Honda Pilot (rear wheel drive)  does not recommend WDH due to unsafe if adjusted incorrectly!!! I thought that is why one use WDH, more safe and allows the rear axle to stay within specs.

I had the last 5 years of a '86 S-10 and 10+ years of a '96.
My current Colorado with a 3.7L I-5 seems peppier !

The scales are the best place to measure how much wd is going on.
A report after a few hundred miles would be interesting. Most folks swear by 'em, I've never used one.

[wavery]

I find it ever so interesting that a Honda Odyssey (front wheel drive) & other minivans recommends WDH at 1000 lb and is 'required' at 2000 lb trailer while the Honda Pilot (rear wheel drive)  does not recommend WDH due to unsafe if adjusted incorrectly!!! I thought that is why one use WDH, more safe and allows the rear axle to stay within specs.

I had the last 5 years of a '86 S-10 and 10+ years of a '96.
My current Colorado with a 3.7L I-5 seems peppier !

The scales are the best place to measure how much wd is going on.
A report after a few hundred miles would be interesting. Most folks swear by 'em, I've never used one.

I have often wondered why the tow rating and GCWR on the Colorado is so low. It seems like a normal pick-up (from pics I've seen). Does it have a full truck frame?

[coach]

I assume so, my '07 is rated for 4000 lbs but with a GCWR of 9000. Subtract the 3900lb it weighed a week old and I get 5100 lbs (They pulled the 4k out of the air!).

The newer models are rated to tow 5,500 with the I-5 (L5) and 6000 with the 5.3L V-8