Weight distribution hitch

[Xbbqpitmaster]

https://www.etrailer.com/question-241876.html

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[GPSMan]

It's literally adding springs to your hitch. You could also add beefier springs to your truck and accomplish the same thing.

But I'll grant you springs are more permanent in your truck, and are obviously temporary and removable on the hitch.

Can also use air springs on the truck that are adjustable.

But again, if need be.

 

[GPSMan]

I think the "best" advice:

Hook up your trailer, the largest one if you have more than one, WITHIN 4k limit, and do a test run / test ride with your new truck and see how it goes.

I was concerned BEFORE my first trip towing. Not concerned after.

If after that you feel anything was unsatisfactory, look into upgrades.

 

[nathanchrisman]

It's literally adding springs to your hitch. You could also add beefier springs to your truck and accomplish the same thing.

But I'll grant you springs are more permanent in your truck, and are obviously temporary and removable on the hitch.

Can also use air springs on the truck that are adjustable.

But again, if need be.

A WDH is actually not quite the same as more rear spring. Both springs and WDH will pick up the rear end. However, a WDH actually moves some of the weight to the front axel of the truck, which is useful for stability. Some WHDs also provide built-in friction to combat sway. The Fastway E2 is one I use on our Armada and I love it.

I don’t expect to need a WDH on my Maverick right now. However, I expect to tow near max at times. If so, I plan to use a WDH because it is helpful, not necessary.

 

[JimParker256]

I think the "best" advice:

Hook up your trailer, the largest one if you have more than one, and do a test run / test ride with your new truck and see how it goes.

I was concerned BEFORE my first trip towing. Not concerned after.

If after that you feel anything was unsatisfactory, look into upgrades.

@GPSMan, I really respect you for your knowledge and thoughtful opinions here on MTC. You've been extremely helpful to me in learning about my truck.

But I'm sorry - I have to strongly disagree with your "best" advise above: to just hook up my largest trailer and just do a test run / test ride with my Maverick...

You have no idea how that post might be interpreted by an audience that has come to regard you as somewhat of an authority...

My largest trailer weighed over 13,500 lbs! Should I try towing that one with my Maverick hybrid? How about the "smaller" bumper-tow I owned that was "only" 8500 lbs? I'm sure you would agree that both of those are WAY too heavy to be towed by an EB with 4K towing, much less a Hybrid.

Clearly there is a point where even a short tow on level roads would be foolish. Where do I, as a relatively experienced truck owner, used to towing large rigs with large-ish trucks, draw the line?

To me, the line is drawn where the vehicle's manufacturer, DOT, and law enforcement would all agree that I was towing over the weight limits of my truck - the data published for my vehicle. Ignoring (for the moment) the potential effect on my vehicle's longevity, I cannot imaging how I would feel if I lost control of an overweight rig on the highway and someone was killed because of my actions.

Driving an overloaded, overweight truck/trailer combination on public roads is a premeditated act. God forbid you're the driver of that rig when the case comes to trial...

 

[MakinDoForNow]

As I understand it, it's generally not advised to use a weight distribution hitch on a unibody truck, but if you're going to be around the max weight you'd probably want one.... so a bit of a conundrum.

Not only is maverick a unibody any support strength provided by part of the roof or taller rectangle at rear of vehicle is not there as the tailgate does not add strength. Perhaps a road worthy swivel wheel support under tongue could be used but I doubt it could have enough vertical travel and maintain support?

 

[GPSMan]

@JimParker256 let me rephrase the above to say "hook up your largest trailer within 4k if you have more than one, and test the ride".

I didn't expect anyone to take it to mean literally "any size". But you're right. Some people take things too literally.

 

[GPSMan]

Not only is maverick a unibody any support strength provided by part of the roof or taller rectangle at rear of vehicle is not there as the tailgate does not add strength. Perhaps a road worthy swivel wheel support under tongue could be used but I doubt it could have enough vertical travel and maintain support?

I really feel you are contemplating a problem that does not exist.

Get out there and tow reasonable sizes and weights with your stock rig and see how it goes. Then come back and chat.

 

[PlantMan]

I sure wouldn't want to fight lateral loads with a Maverick. Pulling tall trailers sounds like a recipe for disaster in side winds. Not enough weight or wheelbase in the little Mav.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I sure wouldn't want to fight lateral loads with a Maverick. Pulling tall trailers sounds like a recipe for disaster in side winds. Not enough weight or wheelbase in the little Mav.

On I-20 for about 30 miles I had very stiff crosswind two in cab 150 lbs in bed that had cover. NO trailer, having to steer into wind 20-30° traffic had slowed to about 65 but had to keep max possible distance and too much someone would cut in and take it away.

 

[GPSMan]

Well that's the flip side of the coin.

Too light of a trailer can be a problem also. I pull something very tall, but also pretty heavy. Never a problem but I can't think of a time I've pulled in winds greater than 25 mph. Should I encounter such I will:

A) slow down significantly until finding a parking spot

B) park until winds improve

This was a pleasure without "high" winds, but always "breezy" in the Sierra Nevada. 3300#. 7x12x9 Have electric brakes.

 

[Johnkn]

The way I see it : WDH makes a "flexible" plain ball connection, more "rigid". The whole premise to reduce freedom of movement.

it's literally adding springs to your hitch. You could also add beefier springs to your truck and accomplish the same thing.

But I'll grant you springs are more permanent in your truck, and are obviously temporary and removable on the hitch.

Why do you continue to come to this forum and spew untruths on topics you obviously know nothing about? You continue to give trailering advice, state that it's OK to tow ~50% over Ford's rating in one of your previous threads/posts, yet by your statements above it's clear that you don't even know the principal on which a weight distribution hitch operates.

NO, the premise of a WDH is not to reduce freedom of movement on the ball

NO, you cannot add beefier springs to your truck and accomplish the same thing.

A WDH takes the normal load on the (weight carrying) trailer ball, and by using a different fulcrum point redistributes a portion of that weight to both back to the trailers wheels/tires, and also to the towing vehicle's front wheels and tires.

There are thousands of articles and videos on the subject.


.

 

[GPSMan]

Says you.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Any of you guys old enough to remember these ads?

HRG

 

[mavmav]

Ford Maverick has an estimated curb weight ranging from 3,550 to 3,750 lbs. it is relatively small truck. it is more like a sedan than a truck. the towing limitation in maverick is everywhere: small brakes. light duty transmission, engine, unibody, etc.

A WDH takes the normal load on the (weight carrying) trailer ball, and by using a different fulcrum point redistributes a portion of that weight to both back to the trailers wheels/tires, and also to the towing vehicle's front wheels and tires.

Agreed with above comments. WDH is for weight distribution to "balance" trailer and vehicle. WDH will not increase towing capacity but it will "level/balance " the vehicle by shifting some weight from back wheels to front wheels. Yes. some WDH have friction based sway control that will give you more confidence in towing.
@GPSMan Would you please ask your ENGINEER how to convert Maverick to towing truck. I am just wondering if your ENGINEER can challenge laws of physics.

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