Weight distribution hitch how does it work




















Rather than the weight being centered on the point where the trailer and vehicle connect, the weight distribution hitch distributes the weight across the axels of the vehicle and trailer. This can be visibly seen as the front of the trailer goes toward the ground and the front of the tow vehicle raises up. If this is too extreme, your vehicle can lose the ability to get traction and brake properly, which is very dangerous.

This added force can change how the vehicle handles due to an imbalance of weight between the front and back of the vehicle. Trailer sway is dangerous and can cause an accident, damaging your trailer, your vehicle, or even yourself or other drivers on the road. There are 3 main components that make up the actual weight distribution hitch. Preventing trailer sway might be one of the most important reasons to use a weight distribution hitch. Trailer sway can be caused by a number of factors such as uneven weight distribution, sudden gusts of wind, passing a large truck on the highway, or bad weather conditions.

When traveling at high speeds, like on a highway, if the trailer begins to sway, it can rapidly gain momentum and regaining control can be quite the challenge. But a poorly loaded trailer weighing much less than that can also cause issues with the towing vehicle. For instance, if your vehicle has a towball download of kg but the towball download being applied by the trailer because of poor loading is kg then you have a problem.

Because, as mentioned, you get an imbalanced towing profile when can cause all sorts of problems, from reduced braking, steering and vision to increased and unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle.

But, worst of all, it can also increase the risk of trailer sway which is when your trailer begins to wag from side to side. This is both frightening for the driver and potentially dangerous. The best way is to purchase a dedicated ball weight scale. Any more than that and you need a weight distribution hitch for trailer stability.

Many car makers list a reduced amount if not using a factory towbar. Once fitted and adjusted they create a lever that spreads the weight but not the mass being applied to the towbar and rear of the vehicle evenly across the axles of your tow vehicle and trailer. This means that the weights being applied remain identical, so, if the towball download was kg to begin with it will still be kg after the weight distribution hitch has been fitted.

If a trailer is connected to a vehicle, there is an increase in weight of the rear of the vehicle. The added mass can change the handling of the vehicle due to the imbalance of weight from the front to the back.

The weight distribution hitches are made to address the problems with hauling the trailer and prevent accidents. It restores even balance across the axles of the trailer and vehicle. Their objective is to let the vehicle be driven at the optimum allowed speed without comprising your safety.

The weight distribution hitches work by altering the point at which the load of the trailer is transferred to the vehicle. Basically, the entire tow ball weight of the trailer is carried and transferred at the tow ball. The weight distribution hitches correct this by distributing the weight across the axles of the trailer and vehicle just like lifting a wheelbarrow.

Check the image below it shows how a tow vehicle and a trailer would look like if you end up buying the wrong weight distribution hitch or if you travel with your trailer without a hitch.

Spring bar assembly. If you have too much TW with GTW, it may cause the trailer hitch and the rear axle of your towing vehicle to dive.

It means that the front portion of the trailer will sag toward the ground, and bring the front part of the towing vehicle off the ground. If you need to brake quickly and your truck declines too far, you will lose braking traction and steering control of the wheels on the front axle.

It is not good as you might get into a perilous situation. The uneven distribution of weight is very dangerous particularly if you need to make quick stop or turn. It can cause an accident, and you would not want this to happen. The same situation may occur if you have less relative tongue weight. In these instances, the possibility of the trailer to sway is high, and it might get out of control.

Because of these two bad options, you can see why it is essential to find the right balance between the gross trailer weight and tongue weight.



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