Weight Distribution Hitch?

[1970AMCAMX]

Thank you for the replies. I am installing the Curt WDH on Tuesday. No extension just a longer shank. Probably a little overkill but better safe than sorry.

I would not use a WDH with an 800 lb tongue weight rating, it is going to put way too much unnecessary load on your receiver. I would either return it and get one rated somewhere between 200 and 300 lbs or change out the spring bars.

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[jbryant]

All the above information is very interesting. But does anyone have one on a BRONCO?

Hello,

I have a Husky Weight Distribution hitch on my Bronco 4-door badlands. It worked great for me and I just finished a 1400 mile trip. I'll post some pics of the rig set up with the WDH. I also just purchased another WDH to try out. I bought a weight-safe WDH hitch that I'll be installing in the next few weeks. The weight safe has a built-in tongue weight scale. I'll post pics of that as well.

 

[Bucker]

I would not use a WDH with an 800 lb tongue weight rating, it is going to put way too much unnecessary load on your receiver. I would either return it and get one rated somewhere between 200 and 300 lbs or change out the spring bars.

Whatever. I just went 1500 miles and it worked great.

 

[BottleShark]

I would not use a WDH with an 800 lb tongue weight rating, it is going to put way too much unnecessary load on your receiver. I would either return it and get one rated somewhere between 200 and 300 lbs or change out the spring bars.

Whatever. I just went 1500 miles and it worked great.

The 800# rating is for MAX 800#. I have used them for years and they are adjustable. So @Bucker is fine to use on a smaller load.

 

[BroncoAZ]

The 800# rating is for MAX 800#. I have used them for years and they are adjustable. So @Bucker is fine to use on a smaller load.

You are correct, but using a 800# set of spring bars on a ~300# tongue weight means the spring bars are not working at their peak efficiency. The heavier bars can get harsh because they won’t flex as much as the truck and trailer move independently. I had two pairs of bars for my last WDH to use with a 14K car hauler. I initially bought the 1400# set to match the max capacity of the trailer but it was harsh on bumps. The 1000# set much better matched my typical load of my 87 Bronco and camping gear.

Whatever. I just went 1500 miles and it worked great.

Did this response need to be so dismissive? Other people are genuinely trying to help you get the best experience possible.

 

[1970AMCAMX]

The 800# rating is for MAX 800#. I have used them for years and they are adjustable. So @Bucker is fine to use on a smaller load.

The only adjustment you have is the preload on the spring bars, this does not effect the actual spring rate of the bars.

While he will most likely be fine with the stiffer spring bars, it is still putting unnecessary additional loads on the hitch receiver.

 

[Dalton07]

I initially had trouble setting everything up when buying a new RV. On a few points, the instructions were ambiguous. I wasn't going to accept the overcharge for looking for a weight distribution hitch. Fortunately, my friend who has owned several RVs helped me out, he recommended this Husky 30849 to me. If you're pulling a 26+ foot trailer with a half-ton vehicle, this hitch is awesome! My truck has the ideal riding height and scarcely even squats! Perfect sway control and smooth tracking on winding roads! I don't have flying headlights that blind oncoming cars!

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

I would not use a WDH with an 800 lb tongue weight rating, it is going to put way too much unnecessary load on your receiver. I would either return it and get one rated somewhere between 200 and 300 lbs or change out the spring bars.

Just curious - if you have a trailer with the proper tongue weight, and set the hitch to compensate for that weight, how does the hitch put any more torsion force on the receiver.

Agreed that a hitch designed for 800lbs may be stiffer and reduce ride comfort, and one for 300-400 lbs would be better.

But I would think the same torsion is going to keep that hitch height level whether you use an 800lb or 400lb rated hitch would it not?

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