Weight Distribution hitch needed?

[uraldyx]

I have a 'new to me tow' vehicle this spring. The lease we had on our '06 Durango was up in February, so the search began for a new tow vehicle. I decided on and purchased an 06' GMC Yukon XL 1500 SLT with the 5.3l engine and HD tow package. I was reading the manual looking for the towing capacities and breakdowns, and it stated that for any trailer weight over 5000 lbs a weight distribution hitch should be used. I do not recall having the same stipulations with the Durango. Here are the stats:

3500 lbs Dry Weight 1999 210 Signature Bow Rider
650 lbs Weight certificate for the 1999 Eagle Trailer with surge breaks
300 lbs ~50 gallons at 6 lbs/gallon (Don't always tow full but often do due to gas is cheaper by the house than the lake)

This leaves ~ 500 lbs prior to reaching the 5000 lbs mark. Once I add in the dual battery setup, coolers, and miscellaneous gear, I would guess I am just under or right around 5000 lbs.

I have read the recent threads on the wd hitches and did a quick search on them, but no distinction on when to use them and when not to. Do I need to use one or is it going to be tow first and determine how the vehicle handles the load. Is there some wiggle room in this 5000lbs mark?

Thanks.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

You could take the boat loaded as you will normally have and weigh it at a road side weigh station. Cost a couple of bucks but you can then determine the tongue weight as well. Then you will have better idea as to the need for a WDH.

As far as a weight distribution hitch. I love mine and dislike not using mine anytime I trailer, whether it is just to the nearest ramp or across the state... you can not go wrong with one... It is worth every penny to install one...

 

[Sundancer]

Doug, what are the additional wires for on your hitch? I'm guessing one of the additional sets is for an electric winch? I see the main plug, is there an additional charging plug or something?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Doug's advice about weighing it is good. There's a couple ways to get the tongue weight, but one way is to get the tow vehicle completely off the scale and also the trailer's wheels. With only the tongue jack on the scale (as far on as possible without the trailer wheels on), slowly lower the coupler via the tongue jack onto a 2' length of 4x4. Just enough so the weight is off the jack. Put the 4x4 right where the ball would normally go. Now check the weight (don't forget to get yourself off the scale!).

With all that being said, knowing the weight you'll be towing with a Suburban, I really wouldn't worry about it. You'll be just fine without it. Kudos for thinking about safety, though!

Hey Doug... that picture... was that after an accident? The coupler looks cockeyed (almost like it is not attached to the tongue perfectly straight) and also at a severe angle?

 

[spikedaddy99]

Dennis,

I have to disagree with you. Having a WD hitch not only helps with weight, it also helps control sway from wind, passing large trucks etc. I would highly recommend it even if he is slightly under the max weight. The "feel" while towing is much nicer.
I even put airbags in the rear springs to help the rear of our suburban sag less when the trailer loaded.
Mike

 

[Lazy Daze]

No problem - I see your point, Mike. I'll never say that a WD hitch won't help. I would just consider it overkill in this instance. His max towing weight (the truck's capability) is probably in the 7-8K range and the boat will only come in around 5K. I've towed with so many combinations of trucks/SUV's/Boats that I can't even count them. From my experience, and my opinion, it just isn't necessary in his case. He's got a long wheel base vehicle, brakes on both trailer axles (?I ASSUME?), and towing well within the rated capacities.

Again, I'm absolutely not knocking your opinion. I just have a different one, that's all.

Dennis,

I have to disagree with you. Having a WD hitch not only helps with weight, it also helps control sway from wind, passing large trucks etc. I would highly recommend it even if he is slightly under the max weight. The "feel" while towing is much nicer.
I even put airbags in the rear springs to help the rear of our suburban sag less when the trailer loaded.
Mike

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Doug, what are the additional wires for on your hitch? I'm guessing one of the additional sets is for an electric winch? I see the main plug, is there an additional charging plug or something?

I posted another photo below. The double black wire is the power to the winch on the trailer. I put on a male winch plug on both ends and installed a female winch plug on the bumper in front of the license plate. When I park my rig and am out on the boat, that wire is in the truck thus less chance of someone ripping off the winch power cord. (I also take the extension cord from the trailer flat four trailer plug to the round Ford extension plug. Those are the only wires I have to/from the trailer...

 

[Sundancer]

Doug, thanks for the second picture and explanation! The main trailer wires in your original picture disappear over the surge assembly and then come back over and disappear into the trailer. It looked different and I just couldn't figure out what it was for!

I like your idea of removing the winch power cord. That's a common sense thing that will at least make a thug check out the winch on the next trailer! Tess keeps telling me I need an electric winch, but I refuse and tell her it's good exercise! I only have to crank the boat up the winch about two feet, so it doesn't take very long. On the 250 DA, it was a 6 - 8 foot journey and it would have made sense then!

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Doug, thanks for the second picture and explanation! The main trailer wires in your original picture disappear over the surge assembly and then come back over and disappear into the trailer. It looked different and I just couldn't figure out what it was for!

I like your idea of removing the winch power cord. That's a common sense thing that will at least make a thug check out the winch on the next trailer! Tess keeps telling me I need an electric winch, but I refuse and tell her it's good exercise! I only have to crank the boat up the winch about two feet, so it doesn't take very long. On the 250 DA, it was a 6 - 8 foot journey and it would have made sense then!

My winch is spot welded to the trailer... :smt038 another reason to check out the guy next to me...

 

[Nehalennia]

I towed my 230OV with my 1500 Suburbans. Trailer had brakes, but without WD hitches. I read that they don't allow the brakes to work as well. The trailer was a tandem and it did very well. With this boat it's on a triple axle trailer, but I have an '04 Silverado 2500HD. Still no WD hitch and she stops and tows very nicely.

 

[Sundancer]

I towed our 250 DA behind both of our K2500's and the problem was turning in the rain! I was in town and some idiot cut me off. There was no weight on the front end and I turned the wheel, nothing happen! I hit the brake and that transferred enough weight to start the front end moving, but it was a SHORTS changing experience! I was looking at getting a WD hitch after that. I had one available and was in the process of getting the hangers for the boat. Unfortunately we had to upgrade to a 300 DA and never finished!

They WD can work when adjusted properly and won't hinder the stopping ability. I looked at a WD hitch on the duallie with the 300 DA, but find it has a long enough wheelbase and there is plenty of weight on the front end. I did upgrade the factory hitch to accomodate the additional weight but there is very little rear end sag and it tows very well.

 

[Nehalennia]

Yeah I think the key is tounge weight. On the 230OV is was 500 lbs and on the 260DA I have 640lbs.

 

[uraldyx]

Thanks for all the information guys. Looks like I will be pulling the boat out of storage in the coming weeks. Based on the info here, I will pull it home without the WDH, and see how it pulls. It is a mix of highway and back roads from where the storage facility to the house, so I should have a good idea of how the boat will react in most conditions. I will make a decision from there.

 

[Nacho Boat]

Dennis,

I have to disagree with you. Having a WD hitch not only helps with weight, it also helps control sway from wind, passing large trucks etc. I would highly recommend it even if he is slightly under the max weight. The "feel" while towing is much nicer.
I even put airbags in the rear springs to help the rear of our suburban sag less when the trailer loaded.
Mike

I would agree with Mike - but this is a call you have to make.

On my previous Four Winns Vista 278 (same size as 260DA), I needed a WD hitch with my Nissan Titan. The WD hitch really made this boat and trailer tow like a dream. Very easy to maintain, and excellent sway control.

On my current rig, I do not use the WD hitch. My F350 and trailer match together very nicely, and I have no issues going down the road. (I did set up my new trailer for my WD hitch, but have never used it).

Now, you need to decide how you want to tow. The WD will cost about $300- $500, but depending on how are current set up will dictate. Does you current tow vehicle "squat" when you attach your trailer? Usually, if your tow vehicles squats more than a inch or two, a WD hitch would be a good investment.

Good Question (not many actually read and understand their towing limits)....and Good Luck!

 

[firecadet613]

Nick, is your F350 a DRW or SRW?

 

[Nacho Boat]

nick, is your f350 a drw or srw?

srw

 

[tdappleman]

One thing to keep in mind is most hitch receivers are only rated at their max capacity if you use a WD system. The reason is the way the WD systems distribute the load to more than just directly on the hitch. That said - I don't use a WD hitch on my Excursion and it tows like a dream but I'm exceeding the capacity sticker on the hitch.

 

[uraldyx]

One thing to keep in mind is most hitch receivers are only rated at their max capacity if you use a WD system. The reason is the way the WD systems distribute the load to more than just directly on the hitch. That said - I don't use a WD hitch on my Excursion and it tows like a dream but I'm exceeding the capacity sticker on the hitch.

Yes, I noticed the sticker on my hitch. My Durango did not have the same sticker. The Yukon XL hitch sticker is reads 5000 lbs without WD hitch, more with WD hitch. Cannot remember off the top of my head on how much more, will check later.