Weight Distribution Systems are Not One-Size-Fits All

When a customer purchases a trailer, they spend a sizeable amount of time looking at the features and specifications of the trailer. They pour over brochures and scour the web looking at the body specifications, load capacity, furniture options, color schemes and appliances just to name a few. They visit numerous dealers looking for the perfect trailer and the best deal. After they’ve decided which trailer best suits their needs, they start looking at their tow vehicle, insuring it’s of adequate size to pull their new treasure to the next scenic overview, lakeside camping spot or job site. They insure the hitch and/or ball on the tow vehicle is of proper load rating to pull the trailer and then, after they have put in all this hard work, they do the unthinkable. They hitch up with a second-rate hitch that was either free with their purchase, or the inexpensive “get you by” model and head down the road.

Inevitably, these customers return to the dealer after one of their first few trips out and while they once held their salesperson on a pedestal for helping them make their dream a reality, now they feel like they’ve been taken for a ride, and a very bumpy one at that. What the dealer and customer should have done differently is familiarized themselves with weight distribution hitches, options and specifications and made an educated choice rather than settling.

To understand how weight distribution works, you first need to understand the gross facts of towing:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – maximum weight of vehicle fully loaded with people and cargo.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) – maximum the tow vehicle and a trailer together can weigh fully loaded

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) - the total weight of the trailer including cargo, fuel and all other variables.

Tongue Weight (TW) - the portion of the load (generally between 10-15% of the gross trailer weight) far enough forward in the trailer that it is pressed down on the hitch, combined with any weight that is behind the rear axle of the towing vehicle. Tongue Weight is measured using a tongue weight scale.

These ratings consider multiple factors, including a vehicle’s suspension, frame and location of the rear axle in relation to the front end; as well as their relationships to one another. For example, too much tongue weight in relation to gross trailer weight causes the hitch of the trailer and the rear axle of the tow vehicle to dive or force the front of the trailer downward pulling the front of the towing vehicle off the ground. This can be especially dangerous when braking quickly due to loss of traction and steering control. Conversely, if you have too little tongue weight, the trailer will be more apt to sway.

Weight distribution hitches add spring bars to the hitch system to apply leverage between the vehicle and trailer. This “distributes” the weight on the rear of the vehicle to all axles on the trailer and tow vehicle allowing for a smoother ride and better braking.

To determine the appropriate weight distribution hitch, first you must insure the GTW capacity of the hitch meets or exceed the loaded weight of the trailer. Secondly, you must match the TW rating. While exceeding the rating is permissible for the GTW, it is discouraged for TW rating as it can cause excessive torque and diminished weight distribution performance. Once you’ve determined the appropriate capacity requirements for the hitch, you can begin to examine the different types of hitches available.

Most weight distribution systems are made up of four components.

The shank fits into the receiver and provides a place to attach the head assembly. The shank allows for drop or rise so the trailer is level when it is hooked up to the hitch ball.

The head assembly holds the spring bars, provides a platform for the hitch ball, attaches to the weight distributing shank and holds the spring bars. Different weight distribution hitches offer different methods of adjusting the pitch of the head assembly for optimum weight distribution. While some hitches require customers to insert/remove washers to adjust the pitch, others can be adjusted with a thumb screw.

Spring bars come in two types: round or trunnion. While round bars tend to offer more clearance space, trunnion bars may increase the system’s weight rating. Spring bars, whether round or trunnion, are designed to flex. The more the spring bar flexes the more the weight distribution system will work. Spring bars attach to both the head assembly, by self locking or using pins and clips, and to a chain bracket assembly.

The chain bracket assembly mounts to the trailer frame either by drilling holes or using bolt on brackets to hold the chains from the spring bars. Adjusting the number of chain links in the brackets allows for proper tension regulation to support the load.

Sway controls are an important part of the weight distribution system as well. Trailer sway can be caused by improper loading, crosswinds, or inadequate spring bar tension. Sway controls generally come in one of three types: independent controls, dependent controls and active controls.

Independent friction controls are the original method of sway control. Friction controls are a steel bar with one side attached to the trailer and the other to the weight distribution head. Dependent on the trailer weight, one (less than 6,000lbs) or two (6,000-10,000lbs) controls may be needed.

Dependent sway controls are built into the weight distribution systems themselves. The downward force of the spring bar is utilized to apply resistance to chain bracket assemblies thus reducing trailer sway. Dependent sway controls are the only type of sway control approved for trailers with surge brakes and are generally easier to hook up than independent friction controls.

The final type of sway control is active sway control. Active sway controls force the vehicle and trailer to ride in a straight line by resisting the start of sway through a mechanism such as a dual cam.

Weight distribution systems, like the trailer your customer has customized, are not one size fits all. Once a customer has been educated on the different types of weight distribution and sway control systems available, they will be better equipped to make an informed decision regarding which model best suits their needs. A more custom tailored hitch, rather than a universal one, makes all the difference in customer satisfaction and loyalty to your dealership. Take the time to educate your customer and they will remain your customer. If you allow your customer to hit the road uninformed with a hitch that will not meet their needs, they just may take that bumpy road to another dealer for assistance.