A Weight Distribution Hitch is a hitch used to distribute some of the tongue weight of a trailer forward to the front wheels if req'd. Many of the smaller tow vehicles used wiith moulded fiberglass trailers can't handle much tongue weight and a bump in the road will cause the connection to dive. A WDH minimizes this effect as some of this weight is transferred to the front wheels. If your vehicle has heavy enough rear suspension, and you don't overload the hitch on the trailer, you may not require one.
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2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
If your suspension on your tow vehicle is "soft" the WDH basically takes/distributes the weight of the tounge/hitch so that 1/3 of the hitch weight (tounge..) to the front of the tow vehicle, 1/3 to the backend of the tow & 1/3 to the back axle of the trailer..
that's what i think anyway..
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Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg
Hi The you tube source is very good but is there a place where I can get a video on how to use a WDH properly,,,I've read a lot about this issue and I'm not sure that I'm not more confused than ever,,,2 links loose,,or 4 links loose or what?
Thanks
Moeniac
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He who laughs,,,,,,,,,,,,,lasts.
When you pick up the trailer, Reace will probably set it up for you.. The best thing to do is look at the trailer after it's installed, the trailer should look pretty level (head not tipped up or down..) and the bars ( on WDH) should look parallel to the ground as well.. You can always just mark the appropriate link with paint or something if you think you can't remember how many loose links are on the chain...
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Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: WDH? Stupid question
As Jeff said Reace will likely install it for you. He will measure from the ground to the hitch ( unloaded ) and then loaded and make the adjustments to bring it back to within 1/4 inch of where it was originally.
baglo
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What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
I have often wondered about how I would set a WDH on my truck if I had one.
I have air springs and a small DC compressor that can easily be use to adjust height.
Seems I should be able to get the WDH adjusted perfectly this way... juz thinkun