Towing with a Weight Distribution Hitch

[06B3030]

I'm looking to purchase a weight distribution hitch for my trailer to tow my tractor. I purchased a 2024 Rice 7x18 Car Hauler Trailer. I bought the 10K trailer for the beefier brakes and axles, knowing I wouldn't be towing near it's max rating of 9990# I have a 2023 Silverardo 1500 with the DuraMax 3L diesel. It's tow rating is 9000#. I calculated the weight of my B3030 with a LA403 loader, and BH75 backhoe to be about 3800#. The trailer weight is 2775#, so combined I'm looking at ~6500#. I do have a Kubota weight box with weights that's around 500# that I'll probably have on the trailer as well. That'll put me somewhere around 7000#.

I'm looking at the Curt TruTrack 4P WDH setup. They have two models, one (17500) that's rated for 8000-10,000#, and the other (17499) which is rated at 5000-8000#.

My question is...even though the trailer is rated for 10K, and knowing that my trailer weight will be around 7000#, I'm thinking I should buy the 5-8K WDH. Is this correct? Would the 8-10K WDH adversely affect the towing where the towing weight is under the 8K low end rating?

I've never used a weight distribution hitch and figured I'd ask here where the knowledgeable tractor owners are.

 

[Moose7060]

Either would be fine. The 8-10K would give you the ability to haul heavier if needed, but won't affect towing a lower weight. You don't need to remove the weight distribution hitch after dropping off a load and trailering home empty.

 

[Tarmy]

Get a tongue scale and follow the set up instruction carefully. The rig should be level and enough weight on the front steering axle is part of the set up. You may want to move the tractor forward/backwards in the trailer to figure out a good place for it when setting up the hitch. I see more clowns with totally screwed up setups with weight distribution hitches…..sorta of surprising given that they went to the cost and effort to get a WDH….

 

[Edke6bnl]

I would recommend a weight distribution hitch WITH SWAY CONTROL. Something like this
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch, 90-00-1069, 10,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating, 1,000 Lbs Tongue Weight Rating, Weight Distribution Kit Includes Standard Hitch Shank and 2-5/16" Ball

 

[06B3030]

Get a tongue scale and follow the set up instruction carefully. The rig should be level and enough weight on the front steering axle is part of the set up. You may want to move the tractor forward/backwards in the trailer to figure out a good place for it when setting up the hitch. I see more clowns with totally screwed up setups with weight distribution hitches…..sorta of surprising given that they went to the cost and effort to get a WDH….

I bought a tongue weight scale last Thursday which should be arriving by the end of the week. I've watched a number of videos from manufactures on the proper setup for a WDH. I'll first see about getting the load properly positioned to have between 10-15% of the load weight on the tongue, and then go forward with the WDH installation. THANKS!

 

[06B3030]

Either would be fine. The 8-10K would give you the ability to haul heavier if needed, but won't affect towing a lower weight. You don't need to remove the weight distribution hitch after dropping off a load and trailering home empty.

THANKS for the reply! I should have asked about the "empty" load being an issue. It crossed my mind, but didn't think of it when I wrote the post. Knowing it won't affect towing a lower weight, I'll go with the 8-10K model.

 

[06B3030]

I would recommend a weight distribution hitch WITH SWAY CONTROL. Something like this
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch, 90-00-1069, 10,000 Lbs Trailer Weight Rating, 1,000 Lbs Tongue Weight Rating, Weight Distribution Kit Includes Standard Hitch Shank and 2-5/16" Ball

The Equal-i-zer looks very similiar to the Curt which also has the 4P sway control. THANKS!!

 

[mcmxi]

Get a tongue scale and follow the set up instruction carefully. The rig should be level and enough weight on the front steering axle is part of the set up. You may want to move the tractor forward/backwards in the trailer to figure out a good place for it when setting up the hitch. I see more clowns with totally screwed up setups with weight distribution hitches…..sorta of surprising given that they went to the cost and effort to get a WDH….

You can't always position the load in such a way as to get the "perfect" tongue weight. Many have trailers that are only marginally longer than what's being transported, and other than turning the tractor around, there aren't a whole lot of options to distribute the load. I use a CURT weight distribution hitch, and a properly set up WDH can help in this regard by essentially taking weight off the rear axle and transferring it to the front axle.

I also have a Sherline tongue weight gauge that I bought from a member here and it's a nifty tool to have. Empty trailer and loaded trailer shown below.

If I didn't have a Decked drawer system in the bed of my truck I'd probably upgrade to a gooseneck trailer. My next truck will have a receiver in the bed and I'll be pulling a 30ft gooseneck around.