What Does GTW and TW Mean and What is Weight Distribution, 2008 BMW X5

Question

Question:

I have a 2008 BMW X5 4.3. Looking for a hitch to pull a boat with surge breaks and a snowmobile trailer with no brakes. Can you explain the difference between the following? TW/GTW? Weight distribution? Maximum gross trailer weight: 6,000 lbs Maximum GTW when used with weight distribution: 6,000 lbs Maximum tongue weight: 600 lbs Maximum TW when used with weight distribution: 600 lbs

asked by: Rich

0

Expert Reply:

I can certainly help you out. The TW is the tongue weight. This is the weight of the trailer at the coupler that attaches to the ball mount on the trailer hitch. It should be 10 to 15 percent of the GTW or gross trailer weight. The gross trailer weight is the total weight of the trailer.

Weight distribution is a system that installs on the trailer frame and the trailer couples to a special shank on the trailer hitch. The spring bars that come with a weight distribution system take some of the weight of the trailer and distribute it equally among all the axles of the towing vehicle and trailer. As a result, some vehicles can tow more weight when using weight distribution and there will be less sag at the connection point of the vehicle and trailer. Weight distribution should be used if the gross trailer weight is 50 percent or more of the gross vehicle weight. I have included a link below to our weight distribution FAQ article.

In the case of your 2008 BMW X5, you will not be able to tow more using weight distribution but it will still help with vehicle sag. And, if used with sway control, trailer sway will be reduced, so there are still benefits to using a weight distribution system.

For your BMW X5, I recommend Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch, # 75600, that you have referenced. I have included a link to the installation details below. To complete your towing set up, you will need the recommended ball mount, # C45010, for use with ball # 19260 (1-7/8 inch diameter), # 19247 (2 inch diameter), or # 63847 (2-5/16 inch diameter). For trailer wiring, you can use ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit # 119250KIT. I have included a link to the installation details below.

If you decide to go with a weight distribution and sway control system, you will need to use one that uses friction style sway control as it is the only type compatible with surge brakes. You would need to go with the tongue weight of each trailer and then choose a system that has a tongue weight capacity range that encompasses that tongue weight. For a 500 to 1000 pound tongue weight, you could use Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution and Sway Control System, # RP66559.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

Correct! TW stands for tongue weight and WD stands for Weight Distribution. I have a class V hitch for your 1990 F150,F250 or F350. The Curt Class V #C15300 will fit your 1990 Ford. This hitch has a max gross trailer weight of 16,000 lbs and a max…

view full answer...

Answer 2

In the trailer world GTW stands for Gross Trailer Weight, and TW means tongue weight. Gross trailer weight is the entire weight of the trailer and tongue weight is the amount of vertical load that is on the coupler of the trailer. Basically how the…

view full answer...

Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 4

As long as the actual loaded weight of the trailer you plan on towing is less than the Ford Explorer's capacity then you are good to go. Since the trailer's GVWR (which refers to the most it can potentially weigh when loaded to its max) is…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Yes, it does! The Curt Hitch item #C13420 does fit the 2024 Kia Telluride. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Kia with included hardware. It is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver that has a 5,000 lbs towing capacity and a 750 lbs…

view full answer...

Answer 6

Yes the Curt weight distribution system part #C79JR is compatible with a 2013 Ford F-150. As long as the loaded tongue weight of your trailer is between 800 and 1,000 lb this system will work great for you.

view full answer...

Answer 7

There is no fascia cutting/trimming required for the installation of the Draw-Tite #76290 on your 2022 Honda Passport. If you need help with the installation, I went ahead and attached a video of the hitch being installed on a 2021 model. It will be…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Before getting into my answer I first have to ask if you intend to tow with your 2017 Toyota RAV4? If not you can skip to the second paragraph. The reason I ask is because RAV4 will be an issue. The available trailer hitches are not rated high…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Yes, there is a trailer hitch receiver fit for your 2024 Chevy Blazer (so long as it is not the Premier model); I verified this fit directly with the manufacturer for you. The correct part is the following: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13418 If…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Yes, you can absolutely pull a 1500 lb trailer with a 2021 Chevy Blazer. Looking at the online owners manual for the Blazer it looks like there is some variance in towing capacity across different models. For example, Blazer 3LT and Premier trims are…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The Draw-Tite Class III Max Frame #75742 that you referenced is the strongest trailer hitch available for your 2014 Honda CR-V so it is the best all-around option whether your CR-V is a 2WD or an AWD. The only other option that would be worth…

view full answer...

Answer 12

If you were hoping for easy installs on your 2021 Honda Pilot, you are definitely in luck! To start with, the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness #118291 is a plug and play option that will be a very easy way to get a 7 Way plug, which is needed…

view full answer...

What Does GTW and TW Mean and What is Weight Distribution, 2008 BMW X5

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching