Re: Weight Distribution hitch
I agree, you'll be much safer and happier using a WD hitch. My boat isn't that heavy, but I tow an 8000 lb travel trailer several thousand miles a year. I have a 2002 Silverado 2500HD with Allison/Duramax. I use a class V aftermarket hitch receiver (overkill, but the hitch that came with the Silverado depended on the bumper for part of it's strength, and after I took it off there were multiple poor welds that had cracked), and a Reese weight distributing setup to connect to the trailer. I've got electric/hydraulic disk brakes on it, and they're fantastic. If you have surge brakes definitely follow the set-up rules above. With the WD unit set-up properly, you'll find little or no sway when passed or passing big rigs, braking downhill is much more secure feeling, and the ride is better IMHO. And the best part is that you don't have to buy a "marine grade" hitch setup. They are really not expensive at all for the benefits you get. Around $ If you want a ton more information on them, visit the Trailer Life Open Roads Forum:
http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm
and go the the "Technical Resources" sections.
