Product Spotlight: Quick Hitch Accessory Makes Bed Loads a Snap - PickupTrucks.com
@Ken and Louis- dead weight on the hitch is only about 500# on most half tons. But if you toss some gear in the back seat, load up that tool box, and then center 700# (quad and carrier) over the back bumper, you'll be maxed on gvw on many trucks, and if where you're beheaded is a bit rough, the poor truck will be slamming... Weight distribution hitches don't remove tongue weight that would be dangerous. They balance that weight between the front and rear axles. Hey I can store a ATV on a trail for simple hook up and go or store a fancy ramp and a ATV separate. My flat utility trailer I use for my ATV was $ 500 from Walmart 10 years ago and it has also pivot point in the midle and lock pin at the front for same loading and unloading idea. Whole flatt portion pivots around axle. I'm well aware of how a weight distributing hitch works. And yes, it actually DOES shift some weight back to the trailer. In effect, it moves the point of loading to somewhere forward of the rear axle. Without it, the hitch weight unloads the front axle by an additional fraction of the rear overhang divided by the wheelbase. Tongue weight stays the same. Springs make up force on receiver to balance that 10%-15% tongue weight between axles. Source: news.pickuptrucks.com
