Choosing Weight distributing hitch

[RiverRat76]

Hi all, new to the camper world here and can’t wait to pick up the new 264BH we just bought. Going to be a couple weeks due to some vacations we already had planned out. Have a 2021 Chevy Silverado Crew cab with town package and after market brake controller to tow with. The only thing left is the weight distributing hitch. So here’s the thing I can’t figure on, the proper one to get as far as tongue weight goes. According to the dealer the sticker on ours says it’s 475lb tongue weight as it sits on the lot, if memory serves me right the gross weight of trailer is 6000lbs. So as I’m looking around I see the choices are 600 tongue weight with 6000 lb capacity which seems to fit the bill. However after looking at a ton of articles and reading and probably over analyzing everything I’m wondering if I need to move up to the 800lb tongue weight and 8000-10000 lb rating instead. Seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there. So any advice and wisdom from those who have been down this road would be a great help!! Thanks in advance to all.

[Midnightmoon]

As a general estimate, tongue weight will range from 12%-15% of the trailers GVWR. So at 6000 lbs, the real world tongue weight will fall between ~720-900 lbs. My recommendation would be to look at 1000 lb rated systems or one that is fully adjustable.

[Old and soft]

I have a r3 with 1000# bars on my 18 264bh. Distribution is ok, the sway control does not impress me near big trucks. It has not been weighed, just set up with the wheel well measurements.

[mrmom]

Agree with Midnightmoon, your tongue weight will definately be higher once you are fully loaded. I agree that you should go with a 1000 lb. setup that you can adjust.

My rig is about the same weight as yours and I have the Fastway E2 Round bar setup. It works great for us and gives a smooth steady tow and is easy to hook up. It is also easily adjustable. The only thing I have to change was the shank to get the right ball height and to get a couple more inches of clearance between the Suburban and the trailer.
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...4-00-1061.html

[RiverRat76]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

As a general estimate, tongue weight will range from 12%-15% of the trailers GVWR. So at 6000 lbs, the real world tongue weight will fall between ~720-900 lbs. My recommendation would be to look at 1000 lb rated systems or one that is fully adjustable.

What do you mean by one that is fully adjustable?

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by RiverRat76

What do you mean by one that is fully adjustable?

There are several models out there that don't use specifically rated spring bars. So, one hitch can be adjusted for a variety of tongue weights. The Andersen weight distribution hitch that I run is one example.

https://andersenhitches.com/product/...ibution-hitch/

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

As a general estimate, tongue weight will range from 12%-15% of the trailers GVWR. So at 6000 lbs, the real world tongue weight will fall between ~720-900 lbs. My recommendation would be to look at 1000 lb rated systems or one that is fully adjustable.

X2, lots of wdh brands. Key item, is make sure it has integrated sway control. Currently we have an Equalizer e4. Great hitch.

The e4 is adjustable, it just does not look it. Head angle can be adjusted. The L- brackets are adjustable. Once set, you basically can leave it alone.

One thing to note, if setting up a new wdh on a new tt, just remember, as you add stuff, it adds more load to the tongue. So make the initial setup, for that issue, or plan to come back after a trip or two and readjust.

[skids]

The rated naked tongue weight doesn't include battery weights, or full propane bottles. Almost all of that is attributed to the tongue. I always travel with some fresh water in the tank at 8.3 lbs/gallon. And then there is junk in the pass through. Another thing to consider is the maximum rating of the truck's receiver. I think my F150 is rated at 1050lbs. I have the Fastway E2 and like it. It has some built in sway control. MAKE SURE THE DEALER GIVES YOU THE WASHERS THAT THEY DON'T USE FOR THE INITIAL ADJUSTMENT!

[RiverRat76]

Originally Posted by skids

The rated naked tongue weight doesn't include battery weights, or full propane bottles. Almost all of that is attributed to the tongue. I always travel with some fresh water in the tank at 8.3 lbs/gallon. And then there is junk in the pass through. Another thing to consider is the maximum rating of the truck's receiver. I think my F150 is rated at 1050lbs. I have the Fastway E2 and like it. It has some built in sway control. MAKE SURE THE DEALER GIVES YOU THE WASHERS THAT THEY DON'T USE FOR THE INITIAL ADJUSTMENT!

Good point in the full tanks and batteries, had over looked those items right off!! Has to be close to 80lbs in and of themselves. I’ll have to check the receiver rating but I really don’t see myself pushing the max rating there.

[RiverRat76]

That Andersen hitch is an very interesting idea. Anyone else out there using one?

[DonBr]

Originally Posted by RiverRat76

That Andersen hitch is an very interesting idea. Anyone else out there using one?

Quite a few of us, I think. I'm a newbie, though. Chose it because it only weighs about 55 lbs vs near 100 on most others. Initially towed with a payload-limited Grand Cherokee so weight mattered more. Switched to F150, but I still like the way the Andersen works, and particularly the ease of taking it off and putting it on!

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by RiverRat76

That Andersen hitch is an very interesting idea. Anyone else out there using one?

Happy user here, too. Our trailer is not as heavy — about 5k pounds — and it is perfect. In addition to the light weight and easy hitching/unhitching, the sway control is excellent. And we’ve “tested” it in some pretty crazy winds.

[RiverRat76]

Thanks all for the tips and advice, looks like I’ll be ordering up one of those Andersen systems. Bonus being USA made. Going to be a long two weeks waiting to get the new camper picked up!!

[sgtkersh]

I’ve used an Andersen on my last two trailers and I won’t go back to anything else unless I have some sort of failure. It’s simple, light weight, and easy to adjust to your current load.

My current setup is an F250 crew cab and a Jayco Eagle HT travel trailer that is 38’ long and almost 10K pounds before loaded with anything (10K includes batteries and propane).

The Andersen works well. Sway control is good. Porpoising is much reduced and it returns ample weight to the front axle.

[RiverRat76]

So the hitch is on order and should be in before pick up day!! Thank you all as I don’t think I ever even came across this hitch before checking on here!! Getting more and more excited. Break controller should be in this Friday!!

[TWP723]

Happy with my Equal-I-Zer WDH.

[Jerry713]

I am amazed at how well the Weigh Safe hitch does. It truly takes the guess work out of it by weighing your tongue weight then telling you exactly how much distributed weight your tow vehicle needs based on measurements you provide. There's no guessing whatsoever. You might look into one if you haven't already pulled the trigger.

[RiverRat76]

The Andersen hitch is sitting and waiting for me at home! One and a half weeks until we hook up and give it a whirl.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by RiverRat76

The Andersen hitch is sitting and waiting for me at home! One and a half weeks until we hook up and give it a whirl.

Good choice, Rat!

Murff

[Larry Mac]

Question for all you Anderson WD hitch owners.
We are receiving our ‘22 Jayco Micro 199 mbs tomorrow. Dealer is assisting me( with hour labor thrown in) installing the Andersen hitch before the demo. I have a feeling that they have not done this hitch before and I might know more than them ( lots of you tube time waiting for delivery).
My question for you Andersen owners is the step where you install the set screw in the brackets on the frame.( one on each frame). The Andersen directions mention an option of drilling a pilot hole before inserting the set screw. Seems like a logical idea but in dozens of YouTube’s I never saw that come up including when Andersen owner Ryan Andersen did an install video. He just used a socket wrench and did two full revolutions. So did anyone see that in the instructions and do that pilot hole first, or did you ignore it, and you’ ve never had an issue with the brackets creeping forward? Thanks, Larry

btw install time is 9am Wednesday so any advice overnight is greatly appreciated.