Is Weight Distribution Recommended when Towing a 14,000 lb Trailer

Question:

I have a 2012 F250 with the OEM v-5 2.5inch hitch. I have to tow a 14000# trailer and would rather spend the money on a new hitch over a weight distribution system and a pricey 2.5inch shank that I can only use with that particular trailer. I guess my question is that the this hitch rating says with or without WD hitch it is 17000#. Can I tow this trailer safely with this hitch and no WD system? Wont I get a lot of sag by doing this?

asked by: James

Expert Reply:

Regardless of the capacity difference between using a WD system and not you would see a benefit to using a WD system for towing a trailer as heavy as yours. The lack of a capacity difference for the WD application does not indicate that you wouldn't benefit from the use of one. Any time the trailer weighs more than 50 percent of the tow vehicle a WD system is recommended.

You would be within the capacity of your hitch to tow the trailer without a WD system, but you will have better handling and braking abilities if you used a properly rated system.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow, this figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached an FAQ on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well.

Typically tongue weight is 10-15 percent of the total trailer weight. So with a trailer as heavy as yours the tongue weight range would be between 1,400 lbs and 2,100 lbs. Which the only system we carry that would handle that high of a tongue weight would be the TorkLift SuperHitch Everest Weight Distribution System # TLWD1000.

expert reply by: Jameson C