Which Weight Distributing Hitch?

[Zulu Kono]

Just bought a '97 Dutchmen 26' TT.
Tow vehicle is a '96 Chevy K2500 Suburban with 7.4 vortec.
The trailer sits pretty high, like the axles were flipped.
The Suburban, otoh, is completely stock.
Super saggy at the hitch, so I'm planning to get a weight
distribution hitch for it, but there are so many different ones.
Any opinions on which brand is superior and why?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Voyageurs]

If it’s just for leveling they are all pretty similar. Curt, husky, equalizer etc. Get what is on sale.

For a sway control approach maybe consider the husky centreline.

It’s been awhile since I have had one . We don’t currently use one with our little trailer.

Cheers.

 

[Msdpok]

Reese and Curt are brand names that have been around for a long time…. There must be a reason I would think? I’ve always used Reese myself….

 

[Rich W.]

Sounds like you would also benefit from a little suspension refresh on the tow vehicle, and if the axles were flipped, you might want to return the trailer to its original configuration. A WD hitch will help but it won’t cure “super saggy” and good geometry is the key to good handling when towing.

 

[Msdpok]

There are some trailers that sit higher than others, so it could be normal??

 

[Zulu Kono]

Thanks for the input.
Bought a Blue Ox SwayPro.
"Super saggy" is sort of an exaggeration.
The suspension's in good shape.
Mainly I need the ball higher and some of the
tongue weight distributed off the rear of the truck.
Here's a photo of right after I bought the camper.
I'll post another after the hitch is set up.

 

[Msdpok]

Just bought a '97 Dutchmen 26' TT.
Tow vehicle is a '96 Chevy K2500 Suburban with 7.4 vortec.
The trailer sits pretty high, like the axles were flipped.
The Suburban, otoh, is completely stock.
Super saggy at the hitch, so I'm planning to get a weight
distribution hitch for it, but there are so many different ones.
Any opinions on which brand is superior and why?
Thanks in advance!

Super saggy can be fixed using an Air Lift air bag system, my tundra sagged and one I installed them it actualled towed like a dream? Also check your towing unit out to make sure it has a tow package or if it’s capable of towing your trailer!! Also take into account your towing unit is 26 years old maybe replacing the leaf springs and adding a helper spring will level it out??

 

[Zulu Kono]

Super saggy can be fixed using an Air Lift air bag system, my tundra sagged and one I installed them it actualled towed like a dream? Also check your towing unit out to make sure it has a tow package or if it’s capable of towing your trailer!! Also take into account your towing unit is 26 years old maybe replacing the leaf springs and adding a helper spring will level it out??

Airbags do nothing for weight distribution, which is what I need.
That's why I'm installing a WDH.
Your Tundra is a half-ton at best.
My twenty-six-year-old Suburban is a 3/4 ton
with a port injected 454 and factory tow package
that could tow my camp trailer and your Tundra
at the same time and not even break a sweat.

 

[Rich W.]

I bought one of these for the coach/toad. Measured to determine what would be level, and ended up with a 4” bump to get the ball high enough for the tow bar to be level on the jeep.

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=6+Inch+Drop+Hitch&furl=-vw-1-pg-Hitch_Adapters

Some are rated at 10,000 lbs.

I flipped the axles on a small 5th wheel years ago - it should be easy enough to determine if its been done to your trailer.

 

[Msdpok]

Airbags do nothing for weight distribution, which is what I need.
That's why I'm installing a WDH.
Your Tundra is a half-ton at best.
My twenty-six-year-old Suburban is a 3/4 ton
with a port injected 454 and factory tow package
that could tow my camp trailer and your Tundra
at the same time and not even break a sweat.

Tundra is 3/4 with a 10,000lb towing capacity!!! And the trailer I towed with it had was a 36’ prowler with a 9800lb gross! 36’

And no air bags don’t do anything for weight distribution but they do everything for leveling! Which according to the picture shows the sagging, I don’t think a weight distribution hitch won’t do much for that!

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Weight distribution hitches are rated for maximum trailer weight and maximum tongue weight. Use the numbers for your trailer and make sure your WDH is at least 20% to 30% greater. When installed correctly the WDH will distribute the tongue weight equally to the 4 wheels of the tow vehicle.

In our case, our truck with the factory tow package only settles 1/2" at the rear axle and 1/2" at the front axle with the trailer on and WDH applied. Tongue weight was 750 measured lbs.

Go to a level parking lot, chock the trailer wheels, uncouple the trailer, and measure the tow vehicle height from the ground to the bottom edge of the fenders, front, and rear, and at the center of the axles. Use a piece of masking tape and mark the number in each location. Couple the trailer and connect the WDH and re-measure. The front and rear should drop by equal amounts. If not, then the WDH is not correctly set up and adjusted.

 

[Zulu Kono]

Tundra is 3/4 with a 10,000lb towing capacity!!!

Please post photos!
Specifically of the wheels.

 

[Rich W.]

Tundra is 3/4 with a 10,000lb towing capacity!!! And the trailer I towed with it had was a 36’ prowler with a 9800lb gross! 36’
View attachment 11932

And no air bags don’t do anything for weight distribution but they do everything for leveling! Which according to the picture shows the sagging, I don’t think a weight distribution hitch won’t do much for that!

10,000 is 1500lbs less capacity than an average F150. So where they get the 3/4 ton rating is a mystery to me but I would definitively say that 36’ is more trailer than a Tundra should be towing. Will it move it down the road? Sure. Is it a responsible truck/trailer combo? Probably not.

 

[Zulu Kono]

10,000 is 1500lbs less capacity than an average F150. So where they get the 3/4 ton rating is a mystery to me but I would definitively say that 36’ is more trailer than a Tundra should be towing. Will it move it down the road? Sure. Is it a responsible truck/trailer combo? Probably not.

Where I come from, if it ain't got eight
lug nuts per wheel, it ain't a 3/4 ton.

 

[Msdpok]

Where I come from, if it ain't got eight
lug nuts per wheel, it ain't a 3/4 ton.

Instead of debating just google Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 engine? I had a 2009.