Weight distribution hitch questions

[Valpo Jeep]

Well it looks like our Class C RV will likely get totaled from a tree branch falling on it. $8,000 to $10,000 for a new roof and its a 2005 so 21 years old and very low in value as a result.

We enjoy camping and are looking to go to a teardrop style camper and tow it with our 2018 Sport S JLU. I am limited to 3,500 lbs and found a possible candidate that will be right at that if I do not overload it. I know the drivetrain will handle it without question as the same drivetrain is in a Gladiator with a higher tow rating. I have found a potential candidate that is a teardrop style but taller like a travel trailer so you have room to stand up in it.

My question is at what weight do you all recommend stepping up to a weight distribution hitch system? I have read a recommendation to use one if your trailer exceeds 50% of the towing vehicle weight. That means anything over about 2200 lbs will will need a WDH system with a JLU.

Something like this for trailers: This particular trailer is about 18-19 feet long, 8 feet wide, and about 9 feet tall.

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[Grayhound]

I used a wd hitch for this little guy. The jeep is so light and suspension so soft I thought it best.

 

[JeepinPete]

Really depends on the tongue weight of the trailer in question and what suspension your Jeep has. I tow a trailer the exceeds the specs and my Jeep handles it fine. Its tongue weight is ~500 lbs so I use a Reese setup that came with an old travel trailer I had. It is necessary and works well.

Look on CL or marketplace for a used hitch, they go for pennies on the dollar.

 

[shooting4625]

Well it looks like our Class C RV will likely get totaled from a tree branch falling on it. $8,000 to $10,000 for a new roof and its a 2005 so 21 years old and very low in value as a result.

We enjoy camping and are looking to go to a teardrop style camper and tow it with our 2018 Sport S JLU. I am limited to 3,500 lbs and found a possible candidate that will be right at that if I do not overload it. I know the drivetrain will handle it without question as the same drivetrain is in a Gladiator with a higher tow rating. I have found a potential candidate that is a teardrop style but taller like a travel trailer so you have room to stand up in it.

My question is at what weight do you all recommend stepping up to a weight distribution hitch system? I have read a recommendation to use one if your trailer exceeds 50% of the towing vehicle weight. That means anything over about 2200 lbs will will need a WDH system with a JLU.

Something like this for trailers: This particular trailer is about 18-19 feet long, 8 feet wide, and about 9 feet tall.

I tow this tear drop, it is around 1100lbs limit for the 2dr jeep is 2000lbs, tows great does not even know it is there

 

[F4Flyer]

I would get a WD hitch for the R-Pod. The Jeep is not great at towing, at all. The WD hitch will make it much safer

 

[Decreasing Dave]

I would get a WD hitch for the R-Pod. The Jeep is not great at towing, at all. The WD hitch will make it much safer

That's relative.

Weight distribution hitches help spread the load from trailer ball to further up the frame towards the front of the jeep and the rear of the trailer.

In a perfect world.

On the jeep, the hitch is mounted to a cross member and not to the frame rails themselves. This is why our vehicles are only rated as low as they are. Even the mighty 392 is rated for 350/3500 (non floating axle).

In our case, a WD hitch just literally adds another 30lbs to the tongue load and doesn't spread the additional load forward on our frame. What it does do is enhance the twisting forces on the rear cross member.

Admittedly, it does add some additional contact points between the jeep and the trailer, but that's about it.

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