weight distribution hitch

Sommer · Veteran Member

weight distribution hitch

Cupie · Guru

Lots on this forum will debate ad nauseum on the topic of WDHs.

I am in the yes camp & wouldn't leave home without one.

My Daughter has a similar set up to yours but with a pop top.

She has always used a WDH whether towing with her Xtrail or any of the company cars .. Commodore and current model Mitsu Ute.

PeterD · Guru

Both Nissan and Hayman Reese recommend not using WDH on the X-Trail. HR will not warrant the use of WDH with their tow bar.

(Edited to corrected spelling error.)

-- Edited by PeterD on Saturday 23rd of July 2016 04:53:16 PM

Hylda&Jon · Guru

I stick to anything over 16 foot use a WDH, anything under you shouldn't need to.

Vince · Senior Member

Sommer wrote:
I have a 2005 Nissan X trail and I want to tow a 15' full size van max 1400kg.
I have been told not to use a weight distribution hitch (wdh). Has anybody towed a small van without a wdh
As I have always used a wdh when towing and I feel uneasy not using one.
Cheers Sommer

Answered

Liltacker · Veteran Member

You need to understand exactly what a WDH actually does first and that is to even the weight distribution correctly over the front and rear axles especially if your towball weight is putting extra load on the towball and tow bar. This can be caused by a few things but mainly the incorrect loading of your van.

macka17 · Guru

Load and balance your rig. ON THE FLAT. First. fully.

If you sag in the middle a bit.
think about a set of those single/twin round bar units.(built for light vans)

They do a lighter weights job than the reece. which came later.
and only a fraction of the weight.

HR are actually a "bought" modified version of the American "REECE" hitch they brought in from USA.

I still have an old model of such in shed if anybody wants a rusty photo of one.
They are welded together. rather than the pin plates of the HR.
I used 13 S/S 2.5mm rods to fill gap. Remember every one of them in bottomless groove.

Gus1949 · Senior Member

If the manufacturers say don't use them don't. A WDH places stresses on the vehicle and the van at points they weren't necessarily designed to take stress. Level the vehicle by packing the van so the back of the vehicle doesn't settle by more than 25mm when the van is attached.

Ron-D · Guru

I agree if the maker of the car says not to use them then don't use them, cars that have a hydraulic system for levelling the suspension might be the reason a hitch is not recommended.

but having said that if your driving a car towing a caravan with its nose in the air would not a WDH be a good idea...