Weight Distribution Hitch

[samo_ott]

Thought I would share me recent experience with one. Based on the input from this forum and other research, I got a WD hitch to pull a 3500# sailboat from Florida to Canada (about 2,000 mi). And it worked very well. It leveled off my '91 Jeep Cherokee which had weak rear springs to start with as well as helped the sway and general jostling of the trailer. Then a week later I went back and towed a 1500# pontoon boat back with the same set up. I cant say enough about the hitches. I would highly recommend one to anyone that will be towing a high percentage weight for the vehicle any kind of distance.

Also I got about 27 mpg (Canadian gallon) on the way down and about 17 mpg on the way back just for comparisons sake.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

I got a WD hitch to pull a 3500# sailboat from Florida to Canada (about 2,000 mi).

Geesh, and I feel up north is a long haul , lol. You taking up sailing now??? Or you just come across a deal you could not turn down.

I too was thinking about investing in one, tks for the tip

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

That must have been one long drive! What was it like crossing the boarder?

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

I was thinking about this setup for my truck but was wondering if the decreased weight on the boat ramps would make it harder to pull the boat out?

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

Being a newbie boater, this piqued my curiosity. We have a new tinny on order and it will arrive on a new Shoreland'r trailer, so couldn't resist going into their website to learn what I could. There's a link to the trailer owner's manual, and in there I came across the following:

"Weight-Distributing Hitches
Your dealer may recommend a weight-distributing hitch for heavier units. If this type of system is installed, no warranty will apply to the hitch and/or trailer.

Here are several items you should consider before installing this type of system: (strange, but that's how the sentence ended; in other words, no list of items)

It is very important that the weight-distributing hitch is mounted correctly
so that there isn?t any undue strain applied to both the trailer and tow vehicle.

This type of system dampens the action of the surge hydraulic brake systems causing the brakes either not to be applied as quickly or to be partially applied at all times. This leads to overheated brakes and excessive brake shoe wear. It may also cause bearing failures because the heat build up will disintegrate the grease in the bearings."

So it sounds like they won't warranty their trailer if it is used with a WD system, and that there could be potential problems with the brakes. Am I reading that right? Opinions?

FWIW, for our application we won't be needing WD, so I probably don't belong in this thread (sorry!). Like I said, it just piqued my interest.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

I believe there is a WD hitch that works specifically with surge brakes. Interesting though.

No High Trim, I've been a sailor for a long long time... I'm back in Fla again with the family and I'm trying to convince the wife to let me tow a small trimaran home on the family van ('01 Montana)... Still working on it... It does not weigh much though. I love all boats. I also always bring my kayak down with me as paddling here is great.

And crossing the border was easy. I just made sure I called first and had what they wanted. They care more about the trailer than the boat as the trailer is on the road. I paid about $50 duty for each boat. Of course these were not expensive boats. Both around $1k each.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

I have had great success with my wight distribution hitch. Used to use it to tow a 24ft house trailer with a Ford Aerostar extended. Worked great and no issues with any affect on the trailer brakes for me. I have not used it for about 8 years now due to the weight I currently tow but will never get rid of it in case the wife agrees to a bigger boat !!!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Weight Distribution Hitch

Regarding the information I quoted from the Shoreland'r owner's manual above, I wonder if it mainly applies to just their brand and not necessarily to other brands of boat trailers, and not necessarily to trailers of other types.

For those larger loads (6000 lbs+), I wonder if most of those trailers would come with electric brakes instead of surge brakes.