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Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
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Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
I am sure this is a dumb question, but on my hitch it has two diffent tow weight ratings and I am not sure which rating is more important for pulling a boat on a trailer- Load Carrying rating or Load Distributing rating?
Thanks in advance!
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Quote:
Tarponone - 11/14/2006 7:35 PM
correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't load load distributing be torsion bars that distrute the load to the front of the car and rear of the trailer
You are correct and this is a huge area of dis-agreement. For example, Ford covers their a$$ big time by rating all their super duties, including mine, at a very low rating, something like 8500 lbs. The big numbers come with adding a weight distribution hitch, which boosts my truck to 12,500 lbs. These are just numbers made up by lawyers fighting with engineers. You can go to many custom trailor shops and get load carrying hitches rated at 12,500 lbs and much more. The difference is, the Big Three do not want the liability of those ratings without load distributing.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Here's a weight distribution hitch.
You should know what the other setup is.
BTW, here's my thing about pulling weight and the different ratings. The reason a weight distribution hitch setup has a higher rating is because of tongue weight. The tongue weight isn't all sitting in the rear, but distributed across both axels of the tow vehicle.
Let say your hitch/trailer is rated carry at 500lbs tongue and 5000lbs pull but with distribution, it's now 1000lbs tonue and 10000 lbs pull. See the correlation? It's rated at 10% of the pull weight but the rear axle an only carry 500lbs.
Now if you look at recommanded tongue weight, you'll see that campers/trailers ususally has a recommandation of 10 to 15% tongue weight, but with a boat trailer, you'll see 5-10% (The manual that came with my last boat trailer said 7%).
Being that a boat needs less tongue weight, you could get away without a 500lbs of tongue weight but be pulling aprox 7000lbs with the 7% tongue weight. If you pushed it to only carrying 5% tongue weight, you could pull the max of 10000lbs.
I'm not saying to do this, but it's just my thought on it why the different ratings.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Quote:
Dae - 11/14/2006 9:18 PM Here's a weight distribution hitch. You should know what the other setup is. BTW, here's my thing about pulling weight and the different ratings. The reason a weight distribution hitch setup has a higher rating is because of tongue weight. The tongue weight isn't all sitting in the rear, but distributed across both axels of the tow vehicle. Let say your hitch/trailer is rated carry at 500lbs tongue and 5000lbs pull but with distribution, it's now 1000lbs tonue and 10000 lbs pull. See the correlation? It's rated at 10% of the pull weight but the rear axle an only carry 500lbs. Now if you look at recommanded tongue weight, you'll see that campers/trailers ususally has a recommandation of 10 to 15% tongue weight, but with a boat trailer, you'll see 5-10% (The manual that came with my last boat trailer said 7%). Being that a boat needs less tongue weight, you could get away without a 500lbs of tongue weight but be pulling aprox 7000lbs with the 7% tongue weight. If you pushed it to only carrying 5% tongue weight, you could pull the max of 10000lbs. I'm not saying to do this, but it's just my thought on it why the different ratings. - Dae
While the math works the liability issue in most states do not. If the rating for the truck is 3,500 lbs with a normal hitch and 6,000 lbs with a weight distribution hitch exceeding these ratings will void any and all insurance claims. While I agree about the tounge weight it goes further thjan that as tounge weight reflects rear axle capacity .
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
the biggest factor that comes into play IMO is what sort of towing do you typically do? Granted, a weight distribution hitch is nice for long runs, but is a real pain to get hooked up if you are only going down the road a couple of miles. I wouldn't want to have to deal with this very often at all. It it were a camper that was used for a couple of long hauls each year, then by all means I would recomend it, but if you are a boater who tows on a really regular basis, I am realitively positive that you will find hooking all that stuff up to more hassle than it is worth.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
A WD hitch only relieves tongue weight, it has no bearing on what the tow hitch or vehicle can actually pull. Keep in mind manufacturers use the 10% RV rule which states 10% of the tow weight should be at the tongue. So for instance a class 3 hitch may spec that dead weight at 500lbs tongue, 5,000 lbs tow. Under a WD setup it may state that 800lbs tongue with a tow weight of 8,000 lbs. The WD hitch will relieve the 800lb tongue weight to something under the 500lbs at the hitch as speced by the dead weight criteria.
With that said most boat tows are anywhere from 5 to 7% on average. So in reality that same class 3 hitch can still pull a tow of 8,000lbs but you cannot exceed the 500lbs of tongue weight. In this example no more then 6% of the tow weight can be seen at the tongue. The pull weight is the same. So you have to understand the max tow weight your vehicle can tow loaded at your typical load, with the tongue weight as part of the loaded vehicle weight.
All vehicle tow weight are calculated at a certain loading. If you exceed the assumed load, then you have to subtract from the tow weight.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
A WD hitch is not just about the tongue weight it is also about stability and stopping. The WD will keep the truck and trailer level in a hard breaking situation by transferring the weight to all 4 wheels. Also the second component in a WD set up is the sway bar this will reduce the amount of bounce and sway on the highway. As for the time it takes to hook up the trailer I would say it's about an extra 5 min at the most. If set up properly a chain style WD hitch will work with surge brakes but can be tricky. I have been using the Equalizer Hitch that is much easier and incorporates the sway control also.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
An interesting point is that most trucks/suvs rated over 5000-7500 lbs will be rated at their max only with the "weight distribution hitch" disclaimer on them - however I can't recall the last time I saw, IF EVER, a boat trailer set up that way.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Quote:
AdamLotz - 11/17/2006 8:19 AM An interesting point is that most trucks/suvs rated over 5000-7500 lbs will be rated at their max only with the "weight distribution hitch" disclaimer on them - however I can't recall the last time I saw, IF EVER, a boat trailer set up that way.
same here.
I believe there's more interest here at THT than all of Florida and NC put together!
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
JoeJ - hate to tell but that's all it really is about, by relieving tongue weight it distribute more weight through the frame to the front wheels. This allows the vehicle to have the weight distributed more evenly hence the better braking on all 4 wheel. If you stay within the specific tongue weight and the front end lift is minimal there really is not much more that can be done. By reducing tongue weight you are allowing the vehicle to ride more evenly. The tow weight is the same.
If your tongue weight is correct you should not have any trailer sway. A WD should not be the tool to stop trailer sway, You must first adjust tongue weight first. If you need more tongue weight to keep sway down and you are beyond the 10% max as specified on your setup then you will have to use a WD, to allow you to move more weight forward on the trailer.
Fishfactory, because your tongue weight is calculated at the 10% rule to not exceed 1,200lbs, for you particular hitch ( vehicle specs should be used) if you go to 14K it is assumed your tongue weight will be 1400lbs. So if you keep your tongue weight at 1200lbs you should still be able to tow 14Klbs with your hitch. Keep in mind just because the hitch has a spec does not mean the vehicle is in compliance with the hitch spec. Some vehicles can have a Class V hitch installed but in reality cannot support ClassV tows and tongue weights. Tow weight is tow weight the WD does not relieve tow weight.
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Quote:
bdirect - If the rating for the truck is 3,500 lbs with a normal hitch and 6,000 lbs with a weight distribution hitch exceeding these ratings will void any and all insurance claims. While I agree about the tounge weight it goes further thjan that as tounge weight reflects rear axle capacity .
Insurance covers you for all hazards, so your claim is paid if you are overloaded, driving on bald tires, or drunk as a skunk and have an accident. I was also once under this same impression, but after talking with several insurance companies, as well as a few lawyers, I have found it is just not true. However, it does not protect you from being cited, taken to criminal court, or taken to civil court. Rest assured, if you are overloaded, improperly towing, drunk, etc and you hurt me, my family, or my property, I will own you
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Quote:
Harry Brosofsky - 11/17/2006 4:59 PM
Quote:
bdirect - If the rating for the truck is 3,500 lbs with a normal hitch and 6,000 lbs with a weight distribution hitch exceeding these ratings will void any and all insurance claims. While I agree about the tounge weight it goes further thjan that as tounge weight reflects rear axle capacity .
Insurance covers you for all hazards, so your claim is paid if you are overloaded, driving on bald tires, or drunk as a skunk and have an accident. I was also once under this same impression, but after talking with several insurance companies, as well as a few lawyers, I have found it is just not true. However, it does not protect you from being cited, taken to criminal court, or taken to civil court. Rest assured, if you are overloaded, improperly towing, drunk, etc and you hurt me, my family, or my property, I will own you Harry
Harry YOU ARE CORRECT...Just spoke with MR Lawyer and he informed me as such...and like you said..break the rules and somebody's lawyer is is going to takeverything you now have and everything you thought you would have
Re: Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing
Quote:
KevinM - 11/16/2006 12:02 PM
A WD hitch only relieves tongue weight, it has no bearing on what the tow hitch or vehicle can actually pull. Keep in mind manufacturers use the 10% RV rule which states 10% of the tow weight should be at the tongue. So for instance a class 3 hitch may spec that dead weight at 500lbs tongue, 5,000 lbs tow. Under a WD setup it may state that 800lbs tongue with a tow weight of 8,000 lbs. The WD hitch will relieve the 800lb tongue weight to something under the 500lbs at the hitch as speced by the dead weight criteria.
With that said most boat tows are anywhere from 5 to 7% on average. So in reality that same class 3 hitch can still pull a tow of 8,000lbs but you cannot exceed the 500lbs of tongue weight. In this example no more then 6% of the tow weight can be seen at the tongue. The pull weight is the same. So you have to understand the max tow weight your vehicle can tow loaded at your typical load, with the tongue weight as part of the loaded vehicle weight.
All vehicle tow weight are calculated at a certain loading. If you exceed the assumed load, then you have to subtract from the tow weight.
this is correct to a point, however, there are also vehicles that are rated to pull 10k that will go over axle weight limitations without using a WD hitch. In addition the the amount of weight that can be behind a truck, the amount of weight over each axle also comes into play, there are specs based on vehicle settup that come into play. These are simply measured in pounds, percentage is not a term that even has any realivance whatsoever in this case.
Towing Ratings Load Carrying vs. Load Distributing 
same here.
