Towing 6Klbs for 1400 Miles?

[Grumpaw]

Yes, I just realized this while reading your post. A surge brakes on a trailer are disabled, or even fouled up with a WDH. .....other than that I don't know why a WDH wouldn't work on a two axle trailer.

WDH won't work on a U Haul car hauler....the A-Frame attachment area is way too far back from the hitch ball to properly attach the WDH parts that attach to the trailer....the WD bars are much too short.

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[bbeverag]

lose the topper and go 60 mph.

 

[dozxab]

I didn't see it mentioned yet but I would highly recommend premium fuel, as does the owners manual.

 

[harringtondav]

WDH won't work on a U Haul car hauler....the A-Frame attachment area is way too far back from the hitch ball to properly attach the WDH parts that attach to the trailer....the WD bars are much too short.

I had the same problem with my first boat trailer (electric brakes). I took the two chain binder brackets, cut them in half and welded them together so they would straddle the center tongue beam.
Looking at this picture I can see this wouldn't work here. The jack assy is about where the binders would straddle. ....well, I tried. Good intentions are worth zero points.

New 4K# boat+ trailer would fit my WDH, but it has surge brakes. Besides, I don't notice any hitch receiver squat with correct tongue weight, and the Ranger hardly knows the trailer is back there.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Thanks all for your input.

@Frenchy - I understand where you’re coming from, but I don’t tow enough to warrant the time and expense. Also I replaced rear springs with a 2nd gen Tacoma I had which had vibration issues similar to our rear driveshaft issues, and it’s not worth the potential problems to me. I know how touchy 2 piece driveshafts and their angles can be. I’m smooth now and not willing to chance it.

Oh and I forgot to ask about tires. Right now I have Blizzaks (standard load) on but am wary to tow with them being so soft and the warmer temps in TX/OK/KS. Should I switch back to my summer tires (Falken at4W)? The potential for snow in CO/WY makes me hesitate but the Falkens are pretty solid in the snow too.

Honestly the Falkens are ideal for this trip. Swap them on and sell the Blizzaks

 

[ControlNode]

A weight distributing hitch will transfer tongue load to the trailer and the truck's front axle reducing both tongue weight and GVWR.

As mentioned by other user, WDH does not change the tongue weight.

...Total truck/trailer weight isn't effected by a WDH, but the GVWR on the truck is reduced by the WDH by the amount of weight transferred to the trailer.

Nope, whatever the tongue weight is and that impact to the GVWR are unchanged by the WDH. It just projects that weight away from the hitch, but it's still there.

 

[Big Blue]

Yes, I just realized this while reading your post. A surge brakes on a trailer are disabled, or even fouled up with a WDH. .....other than that I don't know why a WDH wouldn't work on a two axle trailer.,

Edit: Total truck/trailer weight isn't effected by a WDH, but the GVWR on the truck is reduced by the WDH by the amount of weight transferred to the trailer.

The number of axles has nothing to do with it. I'm pretty sure Uhaul with you installing a WDH on their trailer. Not to mention the cost for a one time use. Also you are correct they don't play well with surge brakes.

The WDH does not reduce the GVWR(ating) of the truck. In fact the additional weight of the hitch reduces the available payload of the truck, as it is counted as payload weight.

There is a difference between the weight ratings for truck and the actual weight the truck sees. The actual weights can only be determined by actually taking the truck and trailer to a CAT scale and weighing it. The ratings are the numbers that are not to be exceeded, they do not change.

 

[mang5927]

Well I had good timing today. My buddy who was going to pick up the truck for me upgraded to a diesel F350, so he’s letting me borrow his gas F350 before he sells it. Gas mileage is going to be rough but I won’t be hurting on the weight. Doesn’t solve my issues with potential weather but it’s my cheapest option and it’s when I have time off work.

Either way thanks for all the insight about towing. Seems like the Ranger is a heck of a tow vehicle.

Here’s the truck I’m taking.

 

[Frenchy]

Well I had good timing today. My buddy who was going to pick up the truck for me upgraded to a diesel F350, so he’s letting me borrow his gas F350 before he sells it. Gas mileage is going to be rough but I won’t be hurting on the weight. Doesn’t solve my issues with potential weather but it’s my cheapest option and it’s when I have time off work.

Either way thanks for all the insight about towing. Seems like the Ranger is a heck of a tow vehicle.

Here’s the truck I’m taking.

Assuming the truck is in good shape and the tires are decent enough for the Weather, you should be fine. With the U-Haul Auto Carrier and that truck, I suspect all will be fine. If anything just remember to take it slow as needed.

On a side note I would highly recommend getting with your Insurance company and having that truck insured under you as a Driver just in case something does happen. Better Safe than Sorry.

 

[harringtondav]

As mentioned by other user, WDH does not change the tongue weight.


Nope, whatever the tongue weight is and that impact to the GVWR are unchanged by the WDH. It just projects that weight away from the hitch, but it's still there.

I stand by my statements.
I was going to get into a boring engineering explanation, but some other engineer did it better:

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...ate=ive&vld=cid:06b71db6,vid:yrVjS4BhQZI,st:0

Copy and paste, and paste and go in your browser. 20-30% of the original tongue weight is removed from the hitch and transferred to the trailer axles with the WDH. ....less tongue and vehicle weight, more trailer weight.

 

[ControlNode]

I stand by my statements.
I was going to get into a boring engineering explanation, but some other engineer did it better:

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+does+a+weight+distribution+hitch+work&sca_esv=0baf5c9e671f57b4&sxsrf=ADLYWIKF7KMuV6S9bGU9PZHchxRIYG65nQ:1733778095536&source=hp&ei=r1pXZ6eIHvyMm9cP0pitgAg&iflsig=AL9hbdgAAAAAZ1dov95vr68VXfPbAKobnI7LBC78_pmP&oq=how+does+a+weigh&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhBob3cgZG9lcyBhIHdlaWdoKgIIADIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgARIl2RQAFjVNnAAeACQAQCYAaQBoAGEC6oBBDExLjS4AQHIAQD4AQGYAg-gAsQLwgIEECMYJ8ICChAjGIAEGCcYigXCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARjUAsICERAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGNQCGIoFwgIIEAAYgAQYsQPCAg4QABiABBixAxiDARiKBZgDAJIHBDEwLjWgB6J5&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:06b71db6,vid:yrVjS4BhQZI,st:0

Copy and paste, and paste and go in your browser. 20-30% of the original tongue weight is removed from the hitch and transferred to the trailer axles with the WDH. ....less tongue and vehicle weight, more trailer weight.

I understand the engineering of it, but you don't gain any additional tongue or GVWR from it. You still need to go based on the weights before applying the WDH. While level and parked you may have gained what looks like additional payload, but there are things you are not considering, that WDH is adding torsional loads on the frame to project that weight away from the hitch and that number only applies while the bars are helping on level ground, while you will not be on unlevel ground often, if you are on a side road crossing a primary road, or some rail road crossings, when the rear axle is at its peak, you may have no assistance from the WDH, or it could even work against your idea. Get numbers based on standard connection, period. Then if you use a WDH for stability (more weight to steer axles is the primary goal) enjoy how it drives.


Also, nowhere in that video do they state you reduce the tongue or GVW while using WDH. And I would still take any company's "engineering" video that also sells the solution to the problem with a grain of salt, though in this case based on what was stated, while not what you are claiming, it seems right.

 

[Big Blue]

I understand the engineering of it, but you don't gain any additional tongue or GVWR from it. You still need to go based on the weights before applying the WDH. While level and parked you may have gained what looks like additional payload, but there are things you are not considering, that WDH is adding torsional loads on the frame to project that weight away from the hitch and that number only applies while the bars are helping on level ground, while you will not be on unlevel ground often, if you are on a side road crossing a primary road, or some rail road crossings, when the rear axle is at its peak, you may have no assistance from the WDH, or it could even work against your idea. Get numbers based on standard connection, period. Then if you use a WDH for stability (more weight to steer axles is the primary goal) enjoy how it drives.


Also, nowhere in that video do they state you reduce the tongue or GVW while using WDH. And I would still take any company's "engineering" video that also sells the solution to the problem with a grain of salt, though in this case based on what was stated, while not what you are claiming, it seems right.

Very well said. The video, basically a promotional video for a product.
It really just explains the AFFECT a WDH has on the axle loading of the tow vehicle and the trailer.

As you said the hitch uses the spring bars to create a torsional force to distribute the tongue weight. It does not and cannot reduce the actual tongue weight. The only way to do that is to physically adjust the loading of the trailer to move more of the weight to the rear of the axle.

The video is also poorly worded in what is actually happening with the weight. Making it sound like it is actually being reduced or moved.

 

[harringtondav]

Also, nowhere in that video do they state you reduce the tongue or GVW while using WDH. And I would still take any company's "engineering" video that also sells the solution to the problem with a grain of salt, though in this case based on what was stated, while not what you are claiming, it seems right.

Tongue weight reduced by 20-30%

Tongue weight Transferred to trailer axles.

For sure these guys are selling their pricey gizmo, but the physics is solid and works with a basic manual WDH. I know. I own and use one.
The loaded tow vehicle's squatted hitch receiver raises back to normal with the WDH. Total scale weight doesn't change, just which axles are carrying it. Gravity doesn't lie.
.....not seeing much denial here from WDH hitch users. They know too.

 

[Montana Ranger]

Roughly half of the 56,000 miles on my '19 Lariat are towing our near 7,000 travel trailer. No problems at high or low altitude and hot or cold. My concern would be avoiding ice while towing. Have seen too many people swapping ends under such conditions.

 

[Dereku]

Glad you got a big boy truck for the trip. I would have taken that trip without question. Probably would have stopped at a scale to be sure I wasnt over on an axle. But I would have stripped the truck as much as possible.

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