Why Do Weight Distribution System Sometimes Increase Towing Capacity

Question:

This hitch has a 5,000 lb rating - how and why does using a weight distribution hitch increase the load rating to 7,500 lbs? Also, why doesnt a WDH increase the load rating on all hitches, but does on this Draw-Tite hitch? Last question: if I have a truck that has a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs but have a hitch rated at 5,000 lbs, is it the hitch or the tow rating I should be concerned about ie: limit the towing to 5,000 lbs or able to tow up to 7,000 lbs? Thanks

asked by: Jack

Helpful Expert Reply:

Weight distribution systems can offer a slightly higher towing capacity because they redistribute some of the hitch weight up to the front axle of the tow vehicle in the way they leverage the weight of the trailer forward on the vehicle. That is why you'll sometimes see higher capacities when used with a WD system. Often times if the hitch is WD approved the capacities will be higher when used with one. That said, in some cases (rarely) you can use a WD system but the manufacturer of the hitch didn't feel comfortable giving a higher capacity when doing so. Each brand tests separate from the vehicle and does so to their own standards. Also the hitches might be made slightly different. Ultimately though, it is their call as they are the people who design and rigorously test them.

With a towing setup the lowest rated component becomes the overall towing capacity. This is because you are only as strong as the weakest link and that's where the failure would occur. So if you have a 5k rated hitch and a 7k rated vehicle you can only tow 5k. If you were to get a 7k rated hitch then you'd be okay to tow to that point assuming everything else is also rated the same.

expert reply by: Jameson C