How much weigh does a WDH actually redistribute?

[Nathalie]

Hi all,

I'm on the verge of buying a Toyota Highlander (3.5 L, 6 cyl, 4WD, 5000# capacity) AND the x17Z. I'm also on the verge of a nervous breakdown trying to figure out if this TV/TT combination will work!! And the more I read, the worse it gets.

I am coming to the realization that the x17Z's hitch weight (same as tongue weight?) of 415# is relatively high, given the size of the trailer (3,000 # dry).

How much weight does the WDH actually redistribute?

Once I've added up the weight of all the gizmos near the front (LP tank, spare tire, stuff in the storage space, etc...) how can I calculate the final (distributed) weight that will be on the tail end of the vehicle? Since I've bought neither yet, I can't take them for a real-life test.

I'm very grateful, in advance, for your sage advice.

Nathalie

[Denise]

Welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum Nathalie! You came to the right place. We have several very knowlegable members who understand wdh issues. Have you had a chance to check out "How to Get the Best Price For Your RV"? Let us know how it goes with the purchase!

[Nathalie]

Thanks Healthi, for the warm welcome.


If I may, I'll post a related, follow-on question:

Which would be easier to tow, just based on these two factors alone?

Trailer 1: 3,000 dry, tongue weight 415; OR

Trailer 2: 3,400 dry; tongue weight 262.

Thanks again,

Nathalie

[TexasA&M]

Trailer one will be easier to tow because of the higher tongue weight. If a trailer is too light in the tongue, it is more prone to sway.

The first trailer has a tongue weight of 13.8%, which is pretty close to perfect (it should ideally be between 10% and 15%).

Trailer two has a tongue weight of only 7.7%. That is too light in my opinion.

[DTJ9610]

If it makes you feel any better we had towed the 17z last year with a Sienna (minivan) with a tow rating of 3,500#. It was all local trips, however the van towed fine.

[Rustic Eagle]

Nathalie,

My WIFI signal isn't the best, so I can't look-up and run your TV/TT weights at this time, but offer the following:

* Yes, hitch weight is the same as tongue weight when referencing RV brochures.

* Don't work with unloaded (dry) weights, work with GVWR or projected real world "loaded" towing weights, nobody tows an empty TT.

* "Loaded" tongue weight of 10% to 15% is correct, but of the "loaded" TT weight.

* The WDH removes and distributes weight from the TV's rear axle, the actual loaded tongue weight placed on the hitch ball remains the same.

* The WDH will return the weight removed from the TV's front axle do to the effect of weight placed on the hitch ball by the TT's loaded tongue weight. I would "guess" that about a 1/3 of the weight returned to the TV's front axle will go to the TT axles (all TV/TT combinations will be different, only a CAT scale can confirm).

* I believe that there are a couple of forum threads here on the X17Z with some weight data.

Hope this helps a little.

Bob