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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Anyone use a "weight distributing" hitch?

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/09/2002 : 03:45:17

We have a 99 3/4 ton Suburban. The hitch says that it is good to 5000 lbs with a standard ball mount and to 10,000 lbs with a weight distributing hitch.

I went to the local hitch dealer. He has a set up with trunnion bars that sells for over $300. Do I really need all this and will it work with the surge brakes? I have never seen this set up on any boat trailer I have ever seen. Assuming the boat and trailer weighs 8,000 lbs that should put 800 lbs on the hitch. Shouldn't s 3/4 ton chassis handle that? I have only seen this set up used on travel trailers and they usually have electric brakes. It seems that the chains under tension may interfere with the brakes.

I want to be safe and legal but I don't want to waste $300 and all the time to set up the bars each time we hitch and unhitch the trailer.

Todd Hansen
San Luis Obispo, CA

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2002 : 04:53:10

I've got a weight distribution hitch also for my travel trailer. It is amazing how well they work. But I don't think they will work with the boat trailer and surge brakes. The tongue at the hitch must move in and out to surge the brakes. Seems to me the distribution bars would prevent that from happening as they are connected to the ball part of the hitch.

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2002 : 09:43:31

Todd

I had the same problem with my 1998 Ford Expedition the hitch was only rated at 5000lbs direct and 10,000lbs weight distribution.

I looked at that $300.00 option at the hitch dealer also, he told me I should get a 8000lb receiver hitch to replace the one I had. Most hitch manufactures make hitches for the common used cars & trucks and all you have to do is unbolt the old hitch and install the new one. It will line up with the existing holes on the frame of the truck. No drilling just undo 4 bolts and reinstall 4 bolts.

I took the second option, got the new hitch for $108.00 They said they would install it for me for another $50.00 in about a 1/2hrs time but I chose to install it myself. I had my oldest son help hold the hitch as I loosened & tightened, took me about an hour.

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

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JesseSmith
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2002 : 10:59:46

Yes, they work very well. You can see the truck level out when the bars are installed/engaged. I had one on my v8 explorer and used it to tow my c25. I use an expedition now. My trailer has surge brakes which also work great. I never gave it much thought that they would not work with the distributing hitch.

The distributing hitch seems to stop trailer sway, the boat always tracks right behing the truck with little sway. My C22/Cherokee had too much sway, but that could have been a tongue weight issue.

It does not take much time to set up the system and they would not, imo, be a waste of money. One last thing, the safety chains do not interfere with my surge brake operation. They should be significantly slack to just hang. Would you like to have a picture of how the 'trunnion' bars are set up on my trailer?
Good luck,
Jesse

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2002 : 17:14:22

Hi Jesse,

Hopefully I'll be the owner of a C25 soon, and have been considering a weight distributing hitch. I would like to see your pictures. What brand did you buy.

Frank Gloss
fgloss@knology.net

Frank

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 12/09/2002 : 21:36:21

Hello Todd,
I also have a 3/4 ton Suburban without a weight distributing hitch. I purchased the "Ultra Frame" hitch made by Draw Tite. You'll have no concerns regarding towing or tongue weight. Boat trailers like a dream.
Good luck.

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mroettersr
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2002 : 00:11:58

Todd,
I pull with a one ton Ford Powerstoke van without the equalizing hitch I use for my 31 foot travel trailer. Previously, I had a 3/4 ton Chevy 350 V8 van and didn't use the equalizing bars on that for pulling the boat. As long as you have sufficient tongue weight, it shouldn't be a problem particularly with the 3/4 ton Suburban. Both vehicles pulled with ease. I wouldn't waste the money on the equalizing bars but would invest in the heavier class IV hitch which you would need anyhow for the bars. Also, the longer wheelbase on the Suburban should provide a stable pull with little sway problems from the boat and trailer. The weight of the boat trailer tongue hardly depressed the rear of the Ford or the Chevy.

Mike Roetter
'83 C25 #3568 SK/SR
Marblehead on Lake Erie

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 12/10/2002 : 02:05:51

Thanks for the information and opinions all. Jessie I too would like to see your picture.

Todd Hansen
San Luis Obispo, CA

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Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2002 : 11:47:40

Todd, a load distributing hitch does more than just level out the load going down the road. It transferes the weight forward so that when you brake instead of having the tonge dip, the tow vehicles front brakes (where the stopping power is) will control the stop better. The bars are mounted ridged at the ball but are on chains at the trailer so as to allow back and forth movement, as needed for turning and stoping with surge brakes. However an anti-sway bar inhibits this movement so they are not recommended for surge brakes. I have a 1 ton duelly long bed crew cab and when I set the boat on the hitch it hardly moves with or without the load distributing bars. I really only notice the difference when stoping, and going over bumps like uneven freeway sections. The truck and trailer suspension work together in an even and controlled movement.

Remember your not just trying to distribute the 700 or 800 pounds of tonge weight while parked. It's more the dynamic weight of the boat and trailer while moving (7000+ lbs.). The ride is much better and safer. They are definately not a waste of money.

<img src="http://www.chaplin-nest.com/unkarock/usflagwav.gif" border=0>
Mark-
'Impulse'
C25 #533 DINN/FIN ~_/)~

Edited by - Mark Maxwell on 12/12/2002 12:05:11

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JesseSmith
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 12/13/2002 : 11:34:25

Sorry folks, Ive been offline for a few days and may be off some next week due to recarpeting our office building. I will take some digital pictures this weekend and email them to someone to post on the web. Any volunteers? I do not want to try to post them on the web again.
Jesse

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2002 : 02:23:59

Bryan, thanks for the tip. I got the class IV hitch. It took 6 bolts, 4 of which were inaccessible. The hitch came with clever wires to pull the bolts into position. Of course is started to pour before I was done. Thought I was clever by tucking the back end of the truck into the garage. The water all ran to the back of the truck into the garage. Two 5 gallaon buckets solved that.

I figure I will try it like this, ball only, and if it seems like it needs it I can add the trunion bars still.

Todd Hansen
San Luis Obispo, CA

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