Choosing The Best Weight Distribution Hitch with Reviews
There comes a time in our lives when we may require to tow or transport our cargo trailer from one point to another. The trailer could vary depending on your needs. You may require towing your boat to the beach or a camper for instance, or maybe you have something heavier to transport. All these require a reliable weight distribution hitch. You don't have to get sick every time you hear about towing due to the occasional swaying and losing of control when you are driving if you have the best weight distribution hitch.
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** Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews by click in "Reviews" column, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.com.
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What is a Weight Distribution Hitch?
A hitch is a towing product used to fasten a trailer with the towing truck temporarily. A towing truck could be a pickup truck, an SUV or any other vehicle. The purpose of a weight distribution hitch is to keep the trailer in perfect balance and to make sure that the weight of the load you are trying to transport doesn't mess up your breaking system.
The weight distribution hitch balances the load at the front of the trailer and the axle of the trailer and also the overall weight of the trailer. This includes everything that is inside the trailer. Those are the two important things to consider before you begin your journey of towing.
If you don't put them into consideration, you might end up having the worst experience as a tow truck driver which might even make you detest the idea. So a hitch helps you avoid swaying of the trailer or the front of your heavy-duty pickup truck rising up the air while on the road. That's the most terrifying experience ever.
The type of load you are going to tow is very important to consider .This help you choose the type of hitch that you will require. The load could require you to use a gooseneck hitch or a different kind of hitch.
Advantages of Using a Hitch
A good weight distribution hitch helps in an even weight distribution on the rear axle of the towing truck and the trailer. This, in turn, eliminates the chances of having your trailer getting swayed from side to side while on the road. It also enables the driver to have smooth braking, turning and avoid losing control while driving.
Hitches eliminate the improper weight distribution. It is dangerous to drive at high speeds with an unevenly distributed load. Hitches have been designed to take care of all that by distributing weight up to the front axle which will facilitate the breaking system and the steering.
So all the hitches have been designed to ensure efficiency of the steering, braking and turning off the towing trucks thereby eliminating any form of accident.
The Principle behind Towing Weight Distribution System
Before we dwell into the principles. There are two simple terms we need to understand thoroughly. One of them is the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW). GTW is the entire weight of the trailer with all the cargo inside. The other term is the Tongue Weight (TW) which is a certain ratio of the Gross Trailer Weight. Roughly 15% of the GTW. It is located near the hitch system and the rear axles of the towing truck.
No, if it happens that the Tongue Weight is greater than the total weight of the trailer (GTW), driving will occur. This is when the trailer head hits the ground. This, in turn, will exert too much weight on the towing truck making the head of the truck to be lifted up in the air.
The swaying of the trailer is the reverse of diving. If you put too much weight at the further than the Tongue Weight, you will end up losing control of your towing truck, and this might result in a tragic accident or even death. That's why it is important to choose the best hitch that can ensure a vital balance between the Tongue weight and the Gross Trailer Weight. Having a good towing weight distribution system is also good for your tow truck when it comes to easy braking, steering and reversing.
These systems simply operate by altering the way a load of a trailer is distributed from the body to all the axles to the tow truck.
Choosing The Best Among The Best Weight Distribution Hitches with Reviews Available
Andersen 3380 Weight Distribution Hitch
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The Andersen Hitches came back with exceptional hitches after two years of thorough research. Andersen 3380 - Andersen 'No-Sway' Weight Distribution Hitch - 8" Drop/Rise, 2-5/16" Ball, Universal Frame Brackets (3", 4", 5" & 6") is the simplest and silent weight distribution to be ever made. It comes with an advanced sway control with automatically readjusts depending on the size of the load. It is so light that it can comfortably fit inside a box. One amazing feature is the increasing in the sway control when the Tongue weight increases. It also comes with an anti-bounce urethane spring that absorbs all the bouncing that arises from the trailer. You don't require to grease it. Once you tighten the chains, the weights distribute automatically.
The model also can accommodate 3", 4", 5" and 6" frames, so you won't require different models for different trailer sizes. It is also very easy to install.
Pros
- Simplest, quietest and easy to install.
- Simple to dismantle since it uses one pin.
- Greaseless.
- Can accommodate a wide range of trailers- no need to buy a variety.
- Its Light- can easily fit in a box.
- Anderson manufacturers offer a limited lifetime warranty on the product.
Cons
- Expensive
- The anti-sway con comes out a time which is unsafe
CURT 17341 Pin-Style Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch - 800 lb
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The CURT 17341 Pin-Style Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch is made with the built-in sway control attachment tabs which restrict the unnecessary movements between the tow-hitch and the trailer. There is no reactive or proactive swaying in this hitch. The carbide coat finish makes it look appealing to the eye and durable.
It can comfortably accommodate a ratio of 8000 pounds in (GTW) to 800 pounds in Tongue Weight thus minimizing chances of sway or diving.
Pros
- Cheap
- Has a durability coating
- Has a built-in sway control tab
- Warranty can be acquired from the manufacturer
Cons
- Looks complicated when dismantling
- Limited to trailer types accommodation
- Requires greasing
- Lacks a bounce control system
3344 Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
The Adersen company has been in the hitch game for over forty years now, and they clearly seem to know what the customer really wants. The 3344 Andersen 'No-sway' Weight Distribution Hitch is made with 4" drop/rise, 2-5/16" ball there you won't have to buy extra ones. It is lighter and can fit in a box. The 3344 Andersen 'No-sway' Weight Distribution Hitch has 4-3/8 adjustable shank. No greasing required and you wouldn't hear even a single popping or sound during the tow. The sway control readjusts depending on the increase or decrease of the trailer load. The tapered ball and the proprietary break material also ensures safe sway control.
Pros
- Sway control adjusts itself depending on the load
- It is a grease free system
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Lighter
Cons
- Expensive
- Has only two frame buckets
CURT 17062 Round Bar Weight Distribution Complete Kit
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
Made with the built-in sway control attachment tabs which restrict the unnecessary movements between the tow-hitch and the trailer, CURT 17062 ensures that there are no unnecessary movements between the hitch and the trailer. It is also coated with carbide for durability purposes. Be sure to experience even distribution of the weight when using this hitch
Pros
- Cheap
- Has a durability coating
- Has a built-in sway control tab
- Warranty can be acquired from the manufacturer
Cons
- Looks complicated when dismantling and installing
- Limited to trailer types accommodation
- Requires greasing
- Lacks a bounce control system
- Bulky
CURT 17340 Pin-Style Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch - 600 lb
(Image source: www.amazon.com)
It comes with a pin-style spring bar that ensures strong attachment and durability. CURT 17340 Pin-Style Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution Hitch - 600 lb. Tongue Weight Capacity also has a built-in sway control tabs which ensure no unnecessary movements between the hitch and the trailer. The durable carbide powder coats and ensures protection. You also have to grease the hinges during installation.it is made with a cast head which is flexible and adjustable enough to fit the required height.
Pros
- Built-in sway control tabs
- Flexible and adjustable
- Has a durability and a protective carbide coating
- Tilt adjustment feature makes it easy to install
- Slightly cheaper
Cons
- Requires greasing
- Lacks a bounce control system
- Bulky
Verdict
Every person has a different towing need .so choosing which hitch best suits someone can be a difficult task unless you know the type of tow- vehicle he is going to use, the trailer type and the load size.
From my observations that I made earlier on. It seems that there is a battle between quality and quantity. Quality goes hand in hand with cost, and it is not a surprising that the hitches with high costs have more attractive features. The Andersen brand has a higher price than the rest but they offer a lot, and people new to towing are most likely to purchase these kinds.
