WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCHES
The trailer’s drawbar should be as level as possible when being towed. Towing applies a downward force on the rear of your vehicle which is referred to as ‘ball weight’.
This weight will be carried by the rear suspension, which can cause the back of the tow vehicle to sag. In response, the front of the vehicle will rise and the steering will feel light, due to the lower weight on the front wheels. This can cause loss of steering and braking performance (increased wear and tear on the rear suspension and tyres will also result).
Weight distribution hitches will help return your vehicle close to the original dynamics by redistributing the effects of this ball weight to the original balance between front and rear suspensions, thus levelling out the vehicle/trailer combination.
Remember, Weight Distribution Hitches are not a means of lowering the ball weight, and you still cannot tow more than the maximum ball weight as set out by the vehicle/towbar manufacturer.
You should always consult your vehicle owner’s manual for the true towing capacity of your vehicle and match that with the correct towbar.
Fitting of weight distributing hitches is not recommended with over-ride brakes, as the hitch interferes with the application and release of the brakes, and may cause brake malfunction. Neither should they be used in extreme off-road conditions.
Please Note: Some vehicle manufacturers require the use of a Weight Distribution Hitch to be able to tow to their stated maximum capacity. You are legally obliged to use them in such situations. A few vehicle manufacturers however prohibit their use. Also note that some certain types of trailer chassis/ drawbars may also prohibit the use of Weight distribution hitches.
