by Collyn Rivers - Updated 2021

Many caravanners ask about towing without a WDH

A WDH attempts to compensate for issues better avoided. One is towing a laden travel trailer that exceeds the laden weight of whatever tows it. It is, for example, common to see 2500 kg (laden) dual-cab utes towing 3500 kg (7715 lb) travel trailers. Another is towing a travel trailer longer than six or so metres.

For on-road stability, a conventional travel trailer needs to be nose-heavy by 8-10% of its laden weight. When hitched to its tow vehicle that (typically 200-350 kg [440-770 lb]) pushes down the rear of that vehicle. In doing so, that levers up the front of the tow vehicle. This reduces the weight on the tow vehicle’s front tyres.

Where, however, that tow ball weight is comfortably within the laden tow vehicle’s payload, that front tyre weight reduction is too small to be an issue. It is, however, necessary to increase tow vehicle rear tyre pressure by 50-70 kPa (7-10 psi).

Some travel trailer owners fit a WDH because a sales-person advised it. Or by following misleading advise on Australian caravanners forums. Fitting a WDH when not needed, can introduce unwanted issues. Towing without a weight distributing hitch (WDH) is preferred unless really needed.

How a WDH works – and its unwanted effects

A WDH is, in effect, a springy light beam. By levering up the rear of the tow vehicle, it restores weight (down-force) from the tow vehicle’s rear tyres to its front tyres. While a good and useful concept, a WDH only counteracts tow ball downforce. By reducing tow vehicle rear tyre loading, those tyres become less able to counteract the yawing travel trailer's side forces on the rear of the tow vehicle. read more...