Weight Distribution Hitches

Submitted: Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 02:32
ThreadID: 124116 Views:4264 Replies:5 FollowUps:0
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I know there have been a few posts on this topic. But I'd like to ask (particularly F250 owners as I have one), whats the feeling on WDH's? I have a 21' van on order and with all the upgrades to vehicle and van I'm fed up with shelling out more cash. So do you think the WDH's are really necessary? Thx for the input.

John
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Reply By: Maximus - Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 02:57

Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 02:57
Would not go anywhere without one. I have a 21' on an F250 . Weight distribution hitches are exactly that. Puts your drawbar weight back onto the front so your nose is not up in the air. Read the articles under Tips for some advice.
AnswerID: 573105

Reply By: schommys - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 04:20

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 04:20
John, see my reply in the owners forum.
Regards AL
AnswerID: 573106

Reply By: adams44 - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 17:31

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 17:31
John,
We used to tow with a Nissan Patrol 4.8 and have always used the WD bar's we now tow with a GMC and still use the WD bars we have found that with the GMC we do not see the the same result as the we got on the Patrol but then the GMC does not drop as much as the Patrol use to but we would not tow on the black top without them, off road is a different story. I only assume that you will be towing with the A/T 3.5 don't forget that the 3.5 means that you can only tow up to that weight 3.5 tonne so check what the 21ft BT will weigh loaded.
Regards
AnswerID: 573107

Reply By: The paca people - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 22:33

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 22:33
Hi All,
One aspect is generally overlooked when talking about WDHs. When the front of the tow vehicle points up due to the load applied by the van on the towball, it changes the actual angle of the steering geometry - specifically the angle of the "king pins". These are the near-vertical pins about which the front steering pivots. Now, Mr Toyota/Nissan/GMC goes to quite some(?) trouble to get this angle correct for his particular vehicle; loading up the rear and causing the front of the car to rise can considerably change this near vertical angle; it can and probably will cause steering sensitivity problems i.e tendency to wander etc quite apart from reducing the contact pressure between front tyres and the bitumen/gravel.

From considerable experience with bicycle steering geometry, I can tell you changing the angle of the steering tube [the bike equivalent of the king pin] ever so slightly after running into something like a deep pothole on a bike does cause significant sensitivity changes.

We ALWAYS use a WDH on our 18' with LC100 diesel, also with the previous Nissan 4.2L Patrol and with our previous Windsor.
Don't leave home without your WDH !

Cheers from Martin B.
AnswerID: 573108

Reply By: Sooty & Sue - Friday, Oct 19, 2007 at 08:16

Friday, Oct 19, 2007 at 08:16
Hi Everyone

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my enquiry - the advice makes the decision clear. WDH will be purchased.

John
AnswerID: 573109

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