Why Does a Trailer Hitch have 2 Gross Trailer Weight and 2 Tongue Weight Capacities  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

The WD stands for weight distribution. A weight distribution system includes spring bars and other components and when properly installed and set up properly it more evenly distributes tongue weight to all the axles of a tow vehicle and trailer. You may have also heard the term equalizer hitch which has come to mean weight distribution in general but comes from the Equal-I-zer brand of weight distribution systems such as # EQ37100ET.

So basically if you are not using a weight distribution system Draw-Tite trailer hitch # 75065 is rated for 500 pounds tongue weight and 5,000 pounds gross trailer weight. These capacities are sometimes referred to as weight carrying capacities so as to separate them from weight distribution capacities.

The same hitch when used with weight distribution is rated for 800 pounds tongue weight and 8,000 pounds gross trailer weight.

If a hitch rating, whether it is the weight carrying or weight distribution rating, exceeds the capacity of the vehicle you still have to go by the vehicle capacity. In other words always go by the lowest rated component in a system. I have included a link to our help article all about weight distribution.

expert reply by: Michael H

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