Interesting article rating top 10 WDH's in the USA
Gundog said
10:15 PM Jul 20, 2022
If your anti WDH don't bother reading this article,
One comment is that it appears US manufacturers of 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks the use of a WDH is becoming mandatory when towing over specified weights.
If your anti WDH don't bother reading this article,
One comment is that it appears US manufacturers of 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks the use of a WDH is becoming mandatory when towing over specified weights.
Other than promoting further confusion for many, and inciting arguement from non-believers, what is the point of us knowing what is happening in America? Furthermore, might I suggest that a 1 ton vehicle is not a truck? My car can now legally carry 1550kg payload, but ex-factory it is legal with 1150kg payload. Because I drive real trucks, to me my car is still only a car. Even a Ford Ranger can carry 1 ton, and it certainly isn't a truck. Is an HQ ute a truck? Truck? Goddamn! Only in America. Let's concentrate on our weights here in Australia, can we? Or would you like us to next look at Yugoslavia, for example, where weights are an apparent free-for-all. Red Herrings do nothing to promote intelligent discussion. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 21st of July 2022 01:05:22 AM
Ivan 01 said
08:46 AM Jul 21, 2022
An important point from the article above,
If you dont want to void your truck or SUVs warranty, yes. Most manufacturers actually require them at a certain gross weight. For half-ton and midsize trucks the rule of thumb is you need one at 5,000 pounds total load, including any cargo in the tow vehicle, going up as you move into a 3/4- or one-ton truck, but an owners manual will specify. Almost all towed campers of any weight require them, too, as their height makes them prone to uncontrolled motions.
You might need one at a lower weight, too. The important factor in when you need to use a weight distribution hitch isnt how much your trailer weighs, but how much it weighs in relation to your tow vehicles capacity, and how it affects towing experience. If your steering gets light or the back end of the tow vehicle sags noticeably, even if youre not near the weight limit, then you need a weight distribution hitch.
A weight distribution hitch will never make your towing experience worse, and youll never go wrong erring on the side of caution.
Gundog said;
If your anti WDH don't bother reading this article,
Pretty simple really.
It just may become the case that based on US studies, insurance companies may begin to require the fitment of WDH kits. As we type many manufacturers of vehicles used in Australia recommend the use of WDH kits. As indicated in the paragraph above, it is not only weight which is a factor when they are recommended.
My thoughts are that anyone recommending that a member on here not use a WDH kit is equally, if not more, dangerous and irresponsible than the claim that they are just not necessary.
If a manufacturer of a motor vehicle recommends the use of a WDH kit be used on their model of vehicle then the argument ends there.
From the paragraph above
The important factor in when you need to use a weight distribution hitch isnt how much your trailer weighs, but how much it weighs in relation to your tow vehicles capacity, and how it affects towing experience.
I might add that even the manufacturer of the 79 series ute offers a WDH kit to suit that vehicle. Why would Toyota go to that bother if they were not considered useful and a safety item.
Another point which I think is relevant is that at the moment according to weighing exercises on highway we have an alarming statistic that 9 out of 12 combination van and car are overloaded. Dont let this statistic influence the result of the need for a WDH.
To summarise from the article above;
A weight distribution hitch will never make your towing experience worse, and youll never go wrong erring on the side of caution.
Gundog said
09:16 AM Jul 21, 2022
yobarr wrote:
Other than promoting further confusion for many, and inciting arguement from non-believers, what is the point of us knowing what is happening in America?
Furthermore, might I suggest that a 1 ton vehicle is not a truck?
My car can now legally carry 1550kg payload, but ex-factory it is legal with 1150kg payload. But you cannot buy one, import one or register one in the USA
Because I drive real trucks, to me my car is still only a car.
Even a Ford Ranger can carry 1 ton, and it certainly isn't a truck.
Is an HQ ute a truck? Truck? Goddamn! Only in America.
Let's concentrate on our weights here in Australia, can we?
Or would you like us to next look at Yugoslavia, for example, where weights are an apparent free-for-all. Red Herrings do nothing to promote intelligent discussion. And this comes from the master of red herrings
Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 21st of July 2022 01:05:22 AM
Long Weekend said
10:34 AM Jul 21, 2022
yobarr wrote:
Other than promoting further confusion for many, and inciting arguement from non-believers, what is the point of us knowing what is happening in America? Furthermore, might I suggest that a 1 ton vehicle is not a truck? My car can now legally carry 1550kg payload, but ex-factory it is legal with 1150kg payload. Because I drive real trucks, to me my car is still only a car. Even a Ford Ranger can carry 1 ton, and it certainly isn't a truck. Is an HQ ute a truck? Truck? Goddamn! Only in America. Let's concentrate on our weights here in Australia, can we? Or would you like us to next look at Yugoslavia, for example, where weights are an apparent free-for-all. Red Herrings do nothing to promote intelligent discussion. Cheers
Hmm - my Ranger registered in Canberra says different, albeit it is called a LIGHT truck on the registration papers! Wonder what a Ranger is called in other states?
But I still consider it to be a ute and drive and treat it accordingly.
Murray
Dick0 said
11:30 AM Jul 21, 2022
Gundog wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Other than promoting further confusion for many, and inciting arguement from non-believers, what is the point of us knowing what is happening in America?
Furthermore, might I suggest that a 1 ton vehicle is not a truck?
My car can now legally carry 1550kg payload, but ex-factory it is legal with 1150kg payload. But you cannot buy one, import one or register one in the USA
Because I drive real trucks, to me my car is still only a car.
Even a Ford Ranger can carry 1 ton, and it certainly isn't a truck.
Is an HQ ute a truck? Truck? Goddamn! Only in America.
Let's concentrate on our weights here in Australia, can we?
Or would you like us to next look at Yugoslavia, for example, where weights are an apparent free-for-all. Red Herrings do nothing to promote intelligent discussion. And this comes from the master of red herrings
Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 21st of July 2022 01:05:22 AM
No such place as Yugoslavia (Jugoslavia) any longer. Just history.
Corndoggy said
06:28 PM Jul 21, 2022
Have only read the title, was enough for me. Just one comment. Why should we give a s**t about the top 10 anything in America.
yobarr said
06:52 PM Jul 21, 2022
Corndoggy wrote:
Have only read the title, was enough for me. Just one comment. Why should we give a s**t about the top 10 anything in America.
Well said Corndoggy, but it seems that some people will do anything to convince themselves that they have a valid arguement. Normally I am happy to let such people continue in their blissful ignorance but in this case I decided to respond. It is clear to me that we havebmany members who have no idea about WDHs, and are keen to learn, but despite some of us spending many hours explaining the workings, in an effort to help, the posting of this sort of irrelevant rubbish likely causes only further confusion for these people? . Cheers
yobarr said
06:57 PM Jul 21, 2022
Dick0 wrote:
No such place as Yugoslavia (Jugoslavia) any longer. Just history.
Thanks Dicko. It's many years since I visited Yugoslavia but I still have vivid memories of the enormous loads on some of their trucks. One that sticks in my mind was a 6 wheeler tipper, loaded to the hilt, with its front wheels a metre clear of the ground as it climbed a hill on the road. Probably still have the photo among all my personal stuff stored in NSW. Cheers
Gundog said
07:21 PM Jul 21, 2022
So to answer why would I look at the top ten WDH's in the USA, it's simple to see what's new.
Lo and behold the Camco Recurve R6 WDH, It mounts the bar from the top not the bottom.
This YouTube clips explains how it works.
[video=camco recurve r6 weight distribution hitch]
Sorry I can't get the YouTube clip to work
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 07:24:42 PM
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 07:27:12 PM
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 07:38:03 PM
KJB said
07:40 PM Jul 21, 2022
yobarr wrote:
Dick0 wrote:
No such place as Yugoslavia (Jugoslavia) any longer. Just history.
Thanks Dicko. It's many years since I visited Yugoslavia but I still have vivid memories of the enormous loads on some of their trucks. One that sticks in my mind was a 6 wheeler tipper, loaded to the hilt, with its front wheels a metre clear of the ground as it climbed a hill on the road. Probably still have the photo among all my personal stuff stored in NSW. Cheers
....and Tatra trucks with "swing axle independant suspension" - look scarey on an undulating track ...but seem to do the job alright , I suppose ...... KB
Dick0 said
10:41 AM Jul 22, 2022
KJB wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Dick0 wrote:
No such place as Yugoslavia (Jugoslavia) any longer. Just history.
Thanks Dicko. It's many years since I visited Yugoslavia but I still have vivid memories of the enormous loads on some of their trucks. One that sticks in my mind was a 6 wheeler tipper, loaded to the hilt, with its front wheels a metre clear of the ground as it climbed a hill on the road. Probably still have the photo among all my personal stuff stored in NSW. Cheers
....and Tatra trucks with "swing axle independant suspension" - look scarey on an undulating track ...but seem to do the job alright , I suppose ...... KB
In the late '70s the Jugos' had the best Russian truck stock, but cross the border into Bulgaria and all you saw was horse and cart with wagon wheels. The Romanians were similar but at least had carts with tyres.
If your anti WDH don't bother reading this article,
One comment is that it appears US manufacturers of 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks the use of a WDH is becoming mandatory when towing over specified weights.
https://www.autoguide.com/top-10-best-weight-distributing-hitches-and-why-you-need-them
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 05:28:48 AM
Other than promoting further confusion for many, and inciting arguement from non-believers, what is the point of us knowing what is happening in America? Furthermore, might I suggest that a 1 ton vehicle is not a truck? My car can now legally carry 1550kg payload, but ex-factory it is legal with 1150kg payload. Because I drive real trucks, to me my car is still only a car. Even a Ford Ranger can carry 1 ton, and it certainly isn't a truck. Is an HQ ute a truck? Truck? Goddamn! Only in America. Let's concentrate on our weights here in Australia, can we? Or would you like us to next look at Yugoslavia, for example, where weights are an apparent free-for-all. Red Herrings do nothing to promote intelligent discussion. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 21st of July 2022 01:05:22 AM
An important point from the article above,
If you dont want to void your truck or SUVs warranty, yes. Most manufacturers actually require them at a certain gross weight. For half-ton and midsize trucks the rule of thumb is you need one at 5,000 pounds total load, including any cargo in the tow vehicle, going up as you move into a 3/4- or one-ton truck, but an owners manual will specify. Almost all towed campers of any weight require them, too, as their height makes them prone to uncontrolled motions.
You might need one at a lower weight, too. The important factor in when you need to use a weight distribution hitch isnt how much your trailer weighs, but how much it weighs in relation to your tow vehicles capacity, and how it affects towing experience. If your steering gets light or the back end of the tow vehicle sags noticeably, even if youre not near the weight limit, then you need a weight distribution hitch.
A weight distribution hitch will never make your towing experience worse, and youll never go wrong erring on the side of caution.
Gundog said;
If your anti WDH don't bother reading this article,
Pretty simple really.
It just may become the case that based on US studies, insurance companies may begin to require the fitment of WDH kits.
As we type many manufacturers of vehicles used in Australia recommend the use of WDH kits.
As indicated in the paragraph above, it is not only weight which is a factor when they are recommended.
My thoughts are that anyone recommending that a member on here not use a WDH kit is equally, if not more, dangerous and irresponsible than the claim that they are just not necessary.
If a manufacturer of a motor vehicle recommends the use of a WDH kit be used on their model of vehicle then the argument ends there.
From the paragraph above
The important factor in when you need to use a weight distribution hitch isnt how much your trailer weighs, but how much it weighs in relation to your tow vehicles capacity, and how it affects towing experience.
I might add that even the manufacturer of the 79 series ute offers a WDH kit to suit that vehicle.
Why would Toyota go to that bother if they were not considered useful and a safety item.
Another point which I think is relevant is that at the moment according to weighing exercises on highway we have an alarming statistic that 9 out of 12 combination van and car are overloaded. Dont let this statistic influence the result of the need for a WDH.
To summarise from the article above;
A weight distribution hitch will never make your towing experience worse, and youll never go wrong erring on the side of caution.
No such place as Yugoslavia (Jugoslavia) any longer. Just history.
Well said Corndoggy, but it seems that some people will do anything to convince themselves that they have a valid arguement. Normally I am happy to let such people continue in their blissful ignorance but in this case I decided to respond. It is clear to me that we havebmany members who have no idea about WDHs, and are keen to learn, but despite some of us spending many hours explaining the workings, in an effort to help, the posting of this sort of irrelevant rubbish likely causes only further confusion for these people? . Cheers
No such place as Yugoslavia (Jugoslavia) any longer. Just history.
Thanks Dicko. It's many years since I visited Yugoslavia but I still have vivid memories of the enormous loads on some of their trucks. One that sticks in my mind was a 6 wheeler tipper, loaded to the hilt, with its front wheels a metre clear of the ground as it climbed a hill on the road. Probably still have the photo among all my personal stuff stored in NSW. Cheers
So to answer why would I look at the top ten WDH's in the USA, it's simple to see what's new.
Lo and behold the Camco Recurve R6 WDH, It mounts the bar from the top not the bottom.
This YouTube clips explains how it works.
[video=camco recurve r6 weight distribution hitch]
Sorry I can't get the YouTube clip to work
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 07:24:42 PM
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 07:27:12 PM
-- Edited by Gundog on Thursday 21st of July 2022 07:38:03 PM
....and Tatra trucks with "swing axle independant suspension" - look scarey on an undulating track ...but seem to do the job alright , I suppose ...... KB
In the late '70s the Jugos' had the best Russian truck stock, but cross the border into Bulgaria and all you saw was horse and cart with wagon wheels. The Romanians were similar but at least had carts with tyres.
And every truck and cart was loaded to the hilt.
Safety was not in their vocabulary.
A totally different style of WDH