WDH or not with 3/4 ton, that is the question

[christopher.smith50]

So I upgraded to a 2016 Silverado 2500 to pull our 31QBDS. Loaded weight of the trailer is 9000 lbs. I used an Equalizer WDH with the 2014 Silverado 1500 which was definitely necessary. I am wondering if I need the WDH with the new truck. Also curious what I should expect when pulling with the new truck. Please share your experiences for those that upgraded from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton.

[ArcticFire]

Originally Posted by christopher.smith50

So I upgraded to a 2016 Silverado 2500 to pull our 31QBDS. Loaded weight of the trailer is 9000 lbs. I used an Equalizer WDH with the 2014 Silverado 1500 which was definitely necessary. I am wondering if I need the WDH with the new truck. Also curious what I should expect when pulling with the new truck. Please share your experiences for those that upgraded from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton.

The short answer is YES !!! With a weight of 9000 lbs you'll have a tongue weight of around 1300 - 1400 pounds. The rear of your truck with still be loaded enough to require a wdh to make your truck and trailer level.

[ecksdude]

Not to mention the anti-sway features of most WDH's. Even a cheap one is better than none.

[Force]

The 2500HD's are good for 1,500 lbs on the tongue, but you want to be around 1,150 lbs on the tongue to land in the middle of 10-15% recommended range, so use a WDH to move some of that tongue weight forward and help level things out. (a trip to the scales is always a good idea on a new setup)

Your truck probably has electronic sway control btw (my 2013 does), so WDH based sway control may be slightly less of a concern.

A few years ago I went from an F150 --> 2500HD, but on a smaller trailer (6K / 650lb tongue), so I was able to forgo WDH in that case. The big advantage for me was getting more payload as I was maxed out w/ the F150 on paper.

I miss the F150 when I'm not towing, but I'm way happier with the 3/4 ton when towing. Little heavier, bigger brakes, stronger suspension. It's just more "truck", if you catch my meaning.

[Paintinfool3]

Well also it gives you more points of connection with the trailer for safety

[Crabman]

I say yes. I upgraded from 1500 to 2500 and use the Reese dual cam WD system. You still need it on the 2500 for all the reasons already mentioned.

[Bookemdanno]

My previous TT was a 287BHBE with a 2500 Ram diesel. I had the 10k equalizer with it. It towed great...never any problems!

[Fairenatic]

I use a WD hitch with SC on my 4500 for all of the same reasons listed above. Worth the added ride comfort and level of safety IMO

[hboy]

For me, from storage to the house, etc. i did not use WDH. But for highway traveling I did use WDH.

[canadiankid]

I would say 100% yes as well, why not? Almost all trucks need to have a WDH over 8500lbs. 1/2tons require one over 5000lbs usually. Check your specs to see if you "need" to but I'm pretty sure you do. And why wouldn't you?

[nwminnesota]

I went from F150 to 2500hd night a day difference I now get excited to tow my camper and when I reach my destination I am also not worn out from driving. I have a equalizer hitch that I have used you both trucks. With my setup I hardly even notice a difference with or without the wdh. Only time I felt a deference is when I had high cross winds when I wasn't using the wdh and only thing it felt like was how my 1/2 ton felt when I used WDH. Also my truck doesn't even sag in the back or lift up on the front end. The only reason why I put it on is for the sway part and thats if I am towing it more then 2 hours away. With that being said my trailer is about half the weight of yours at only 5k fully loaded. I would for sure use the WDH all the time with your trailer being it comes in around 9k and a lot longer. You'll love towing with
The 3/4 ton no tail wagging the dog any more.

[ccso2213]

I think the best response is "why wouldn't you?" It appears you already own the hitch, so just adjust it for the new truck. IMHO, no such thing as too much when it comes to truck or hitch. I tow my 287 bhsw with a 2500 and use a wdh. Hardly know it's back there until I look in the mirror.

[Northern Jay]

I tow my 28BHBE with a 3500HD and would not do so without a WDH. Safety is paramount while towing on the hiways IMHO, for my family as well as yours. Having invested upwards of $70k, an extra few hundred for a WDH (whichever one you prefer) only makes sense to protect my rig and grandchildren.
Happy Camping

[cekkk]

The WDH transfers weight to the front axle. A pound is a pound on the rear axle. The weight difference between the two trucks is not that great.

[Grumpy]

YES......again for all reasons already mentioned. I also think your receiver has a lower load rating without a WDH.

[Bassdogs]

Yes but why the question, you already own the wdh from the previous rig. With that much weight, yes yes yes. Why not???