Overloading Your Axle

N7SHG_Ham

This may be news to some, but a weight distributing hitch can overload your trailer axle, he is speaking of single axles, but it seems this would apply to all. His RV had what amounts to an inadequate Dexter axle from the get go, in relation to T@B trailers I wonder how the axle is sized? Spec sheet says 3500 pounds. He found that weight tag on the axle itself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVg8QgIFJoU

jkjenn

I have to be honest, I have been alarmed at the rate at which people have been jumping on these without investigating other issues, like the way they are packing. first. 

Pieshobbithouse

You are dead on . Great point. Big vehicle small trailer and its a “s” show.

MuttonChops

For anyone considering a Weight Distribution Hitch there is an excellent calculator web-site that shows you all the axle loading in a side-by-side format;  WDH vs WC.

You do need to research your TV specifications and do a couple of measurements. You can then play with how much cargo (weight) you are carrying and tongue weight % to see how WDH helps or hurts your specific TV & T@B combination.

Trailer Towing Calculator
Weight Carrying vs Weight Distribution Hitches

https://www.ajdesigner.com/apptrailertow/weightdistributionhitch.php 

Example Only

of one of the outputs

JustJohn

jkjenn said:

I have to be honest, I have been alarmed at the rate at which people have been jumping on these without investigating other issues, like the way they are packing. first. 

I agree, these weight distribution hitches are unnecessary on a trailer this size given proper loading and a tow vehicle of adequate size to handle the load.

jgram2

We Tow level, store the cargo weight on the trailer axle or in front of it, and watch our speed, especially in high winds areas. Those measures are all easily within our control.