How to spec a Weight Distribution Hitch?

[sdspearo]

What's the proper way to spec out a weight distribution hitch? I have an 2003 F350 PSD crewcab with Lance 845 cabover camper hauling the XJ that's in my signature with a 16' car hauler. I want to get a WD hitch. Most (all) WD hitches are spec'd by Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight (which is usually ~10% of GTW). This is fine if you're not carrying any load in your tow vehicle.

However, since my tow rig is also hauling a camper, I think I should also factor in the additional weight of the camper on the rear axle...since the lever arms of the WD hitch are also lifting this weight when under load. i.e., you add the additional camper weight over the rear axle to the tongue weight and use this new number to size the WD hitch. Is this correct?

Who else is towing with a cabover camper? What's your set up and how does it handle?

 

[macgyvr]

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to spec out? I have the WD hitch that you can find on pirate from a motor home company in Texas. I'll try to find the link to the site where they are forsale for about 125 bucks. They say they are rated for 10k. I know i'm doing more than that with mine, I also know that this is beefier than my other 10k wd reese hitch set up.

mac 'love my truck camper' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

Here's the hitch to buy. Inexpensive. Its the one I use.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-hitches/weight-distributing-hitches.htm

Don't worry if you don't purchase by 7/15 they will move the date...well they have been, I bought mine last year I think and they have been weekly changing the dates to purchase by.

mac 'search pirate4x4 for more reviews if you want' gyvr

 

[sdspearo]

Damn, you got everything plus the livin' room sofa!

I ended up talking to a tech at Draw-Tite who confirmed that a fraction of the payload in the truck should be added to the tongue wt. when sizing the WD hitch. His rough estimate was 50% of payload is over the rear axle. I need to review my scale numbers to confirm this. So, if you have a 2000lb camper and 500lb TW, then pick a WD hitch that is rated for 1500lbs TW.

I searched Pirate for the WD dist hitch you mentioned but couldn't find it. Appreciate it if you could forward the link.

 

[macgyvr]

here's one

here's another

both point to the same link for the hitch forsale

my camper full of stuff with 20 gallons of water (no crapper) and the a/c is about 1500...i'm scared to know what my tongue weight is.

mac 'that couch got burned in the fire pit' gyvr

 

[sdspearo]

Wow, screamin' deal, too good to pass up. It even comes with the ball (!) I just ordered one, if it doesn't work out for me I can always resell it on CL. The photos and reviews in your links were helpful, thanks!

PPL has good deals on other crap as well. Ended up ordering a P2 brake controller too.

 

[macgyvr]

Its a great hitch and no one can compete with that price. I guess they buy big warehouses and don't have to charge and arm and a leg to make $$ off the product.

mac 'my brake controller is built in' gyvr

 

[IllianaXJ]

I bought the same WD hitch from PPL Motorhomes last December and have been using it with my 6500lb travel trailer. Works great, absolutely no complaints at all, especially for the price!