When Do You Need a Weight Distribution Hitch? Setting Up and Testing the Blue Ox TrackPro

We setup a weight distribution hitch to see how the process works and then discuss the pros and cons of different EQ hitches.
Disclosure: The hitch and weight bars were provided to Truck King at no cost by Blue Ox for testing.
#Hitch #TravelTrailer #Ram

[@PowerSportsQuebec]

Finally somebody did an EQ hitch video that is simple enough for a total noob to understand and lively enough that you don't fall asleep. Good job there TK!

[@BCJ371]

I don't even have a trailer but I'm still watching.

[@ralfpassing]

I recognized a shirt without holes - so you gained new members - well done

[@TruckKing]

Thankfully some viewers took pity on Steve.

[@andyshank7379]

I did not realize you could just upgrade the bars if you needed more load capacity over the years. Thought someday I might have to buy a whole new one if I got a bigger trailer. Great tip! Thanks

[@cwqrpportable]

Steve, congratulations for what you've done with this channel. You two are a great team and you really delve into trucks, towing, etc. I trust your videos and comments. Dad, you did a great job with that boy. One thing though I'll disagree with you on........... the Blue Ox WDH with the chains actually does provide great anti sway control along with the weight distributing function. I've been using the system for over five years with a TT and it is amazing. Perhaps this system is even better though....? Thanks guys!

[@james2042]

EQ hitches serve many functions, not just trailer sway. Having weight shifted off your front axle can also impact both braking distances and steering ability, both of which fully apply to a flat deck trailer. Last thing you want is major understeer and extra braking distance with 7000lbs behind you

[@davidl.39]

I drive right by your location weekly, gonna make it a point to stop in sometime now after watching. Great job guys, keep it up. By the way. I am subscribing

[@TruckKing]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@machfive916]

Great review. Visually, the truck and trailer are stunning. Great job walking us through the setup of the hitch. In the future, I would love to see a review of the Andersen weight distribution/sway control hitch, as it uses a completely different method for weight distribution (chains vs. spring bars) and a tapered ball for sway control. Very interested in the actual setup and knowing how many times you turn the big nut to tighten the chains for weight distribution.

[@TruckKing]

If they send us one - we'll do it.

[@philip600rr]

You guys are a great team.

[@ricksrandomrepairsandrevie9611]

Great video. Picking up a similar hitch to use on a newer camper I just bought with my first Ram, a 2014 Outdoorsman. Oh I love your dads shoes, Mizuno all the way.

[@MrJamesLuz]

Haha “mechanic’s ears” ...when you hear a noise but you know what it is so you don’t worry or fix it 🤣

[@loganholmberg2295]

When I was a teenager I hated doing this kinda crap with my Dad. Now I want to do this kinda stuff witth my Dad all the time. Weird how age changes your perspective of things.

[@youlag814]

You guys do such great videos! I plan to tow in the future with my ram and in the meantime I'm doing my homework with your channel thank you!

[@TruckKing]

Best of luck!

[@machfive916]

I was a little confused as I did not see the walkaround video. However, I see it was posted this morning (10 NOV 2020). I'm about to enjoy it with a nice hot thermos of coffee.

[@johndoddato2662]

I just bought a new RAM 1500. Where did you read that the ball hitch has to be 2” higher than the trailer hitch because for the trucks coil springs? I don’t thin my new hitch was installed that way. I noticed I get a 2” dropped on the backend of the truck when I connect the trailer with the load distribution hitch. I also had more sway than I expected when towing. Thanks for the helpful video

[@jcf6597]

Great video, It would be interesting to do an EQ WD hitch comparison video with say the top 5 hitches.

[@TruckKing]

Who knows? - we'll see who volunteers their product.

[@snowmankace7769]

Subscribed! I was trying to figure out where Steven went to from TFL

[@rightlanehog3151]

Towing tutorials are always welcome.

[@chadsteele1]

Looking at a much larger trailer and blue ox is the only distribution sway system I'll get, have a family member with one on their rig, tows a 35ft toy hauler and they swear by it.

[@shieldwolf8093]

Great info I'm looking at a 24' 4500lb travel trailer. I drive 2019 ram 1500 warlock so this was perfect

[@TruckKing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewpettener9716]

“You think you can hurt my feelings? I used to hold the flashlight for my dad”

[@stonecoldcustoms]

My rule of thumb is always use torsion bars, makes even a small car trailer tow much better with no sway. Scary how many people you see towing 6,000 lb dump trailers or RVs with no weight distribution.

[@Bladerunner55217]

I tow my super light 25ft 4600 pound travel trailer with my 2021 ram Diesel 1500 and a basic 10,000 pound ball hitch to Las Vegas from Southern California or 3 hour max local campsites here in southern Ca. Mostly flat and on days with not much wind. I haven’t experienced any negative sway. I have a centerline hitch that came with my hitch. May put it back on for my Montana trip.

[@HalfCrazy520]

I tow a 35' TT that weighs roughly 9500 lbs... but I tow it with a GMC 3500, Duramax/Allison, 4X4, 8' bed, SRW, Denali. I just drop it on the ball and roll. Same when I was using my Ram 2500/Cummins to tow it. No issues with squat, sway or porpoising. I'm thinking about a WDH but I need someone to convince me I need it.

[@stonecoldcustoms]

@@HalfCrazy520 I have towed with a 3500 dually with no WDH, they are very stable. One good reason to still use a WDH though is that it will transfer the weight back onto the front axle. With no WDH you are taking weight off the front axle. WDH is still added stability and added steering traction on slippery roads.

[@HalfCrazy520]

@@stonecoldcustoms -- A diesel engine weighs around 900 lbs and it's up front... the front drive unit and axles, the transfer case, the big transmission... tongue weight on the trailer is roughly 60% of the truck's payload capacity... so it's not like the rig is light in the front, and the truck is level with the trailer on the ball. I'm just not convinced there's enough benefit.

[@stonecoldcustoms]

@@HalfCrazy520 at 80 mph, I like to have all the weight on the front axle and stability I can get.

[@fxdrider01]

The special provision in the instructions for Rams(because of the coil springs) that states the ball must be 2" higher than the hitch coupler - would that apply to other brands of WDH's? I have a Fastway E2 Trunnion and it's instructions fail to include that. Just curious. Thanks.

[@domingofernandez4359]

Love your channel.

[@TruckKing]

Thank you!

[@RCWildvideos]

I have a weight distribution hitch like this and it is amazing. I can't image towing without it. But is is a little embarrassing moving through the campsite creaking and screeching.

[@bobfidguello7239]

God forbid you have a creaking trailer in a campground, might drown out the crackling from someone's campfire. It's camping for gods sake!

[@heddingmyway5442]

I would go with at least the next size up EQ bars as you are at maximum tongue weight, especially after loading the travel trailer. That is a beautiful truck! However, I would also tow that travel trailer only with a V8. The tow / haul mode will not work effectively while braking with a V6 (especially on hills), even with a Ford V6 Ecoboost. Loved the video!

[@cwqrpportable]

My tow/haul mode works perfect when braking with my 5000 lb RV and my 3.5 Ecoboost; not sure what you referring to?

[@Knuckledragnation]

Truck King is this weight distribution hitch setup similar to the procedure if one has a Ram 3500 Cummins Dually with factory air bags/alt trailer leveling system installed?

[@R.Nelson]

Good morning ☀️ Truck King n King Dad!!.☺

[@TruckKing]

Morning Ron

[@atvseatexchange2176]

A piece of paper towel on that finger wrapped with duct tape and get back to work! Good job guys.

[@nicolaskuchta1072]

Great video! How would you rate this hitch compared to the Blue Ox Sway-Pro ?

[@domingofernandez4359]

How do I know if am putting to much pressure on my A frame? That worries me a lot.

[@richarde.6750]

Put liquid dish washing soap on the bottom of the bar and you will make the bar slide without noise....and its clean. I also do that to the ball.

[@ALMX5DP]

wouldnt proper automotive grease or otherwise be preferable?

[@richarde.6750]

@@ALMX5DP But soap is clean so you don't have to worry about getting grease on your clothes .....or anything else......

[@ALMX5DP]

@@richarde.6750 interesting, and it lasts a decent amount of time? I may have to try that. I think i still prefer grease on the ball side as that I feel that helps for corrosion protection and such (though soap might too), but for an exposed WD bar that makes sense. Neat tip!

[@richarde.6750]

@@ALMX5DP Carry a bottle and use as needed and if you have to change a flat, you have soap to clean up but carry a gallon of water for washing of for the radiator if needed. And when the hitch isn't needed just wipe the ball off with paper towels.

[@TruckKing]

I get what you're saying - but the torsion comes from the friction of steel on steel - add a lubricant and it defeats the purpose.

[@porkchop10]

Could you smear some axle grease between the 2 metal surfaces to minimize noise, or is it unavoidable?

[@TruckKing]

friction is the point. grease would ruin that.

[@jwiereng]

Seems like the friction is desired

[@jwiereng]

0:09 I hear you say when we tow the flat deck we don't need a EQ hitch

[@jwiereng]

Why is it not needed for other trailers?

[@chico1014]

Did the v6 feel like enough engine to pull that size travel trailer

[@masonwilkes7000]

Wondering the same

[@philip600rr]

I'm sure in the flat land it's OK but give it some hills or mountains and you will with you had a V8 or turbos.

[@TruckKing]

Can only speak for Ontario, but yes - that 3.6L does the job.

[@garthwheeler1338]

Really enjoy your videos, my wish is that you lived in either Alberta or British Columbia where you would have easy access to the Rocky Mountains to do your testing. Then you could really stress tow vehicle, hitch, engine and transmission. The Ram V6 engine like its competitors is a poor choice for serious towing here in the west, just my opinion.

[@TruckKing]

You are right. You absolutely have to consider "where" you are towing when making powertrain choices. What works in Ontario may not work in BC.

[@youarerightboss]

Another 👍 for Stephen.

[@bryannall1981]

How does the Blue Ox swaypro compares to the Blue Ox trackpro? I'm looking at both of these hitches.

[@TruckKing]

Wish I could tell you. We don't get quite that far out into the weeds with hitches. Good News? Any weight distribution hitch is better than none.

[@kenj.8897]

Top notch info !

[@happycamper8354]

How can I contact you ??? I have a 2020 ram bighorn hemi pulling a 2020 mpg cruiser. I have the track pro but still have sway it’s clearly not setup properly

[@CucvDetroitM1028A1]

These type of hitches are a waste of money. Just have a truck that has heavy rear suspension with overloads, low gearing like 4:56, big drum brakes, and lastly NOT A HALF TON TRUCK. my tow truck for my camper is a 1984 Chevy cucv (military k30) it’s a 1.5 ton army cargo truck. (Normally 1.25 ton but military has upgraded this truck to 1.5 ton) it has extremely heavy rear suspension. You need leaf springs not these darn coil springs. It has 20,000 pound brakes. 4:56 gearing and no overdrive. I regularly tow my camper and it does just fine without a 1500 dollar hitch. Half Tons we never ever designed to tow stuff above 2000 pounds.

[@georgecaballero3405]

What is the weigh of that RV? I have a 2.7eb I would like to know if I can pull the same RV.

[@ALMX5DP]

They said 5500lbs with 6400lb GVWR. Should be easy as pie for an EB.

[@georgecaballero3405]

@@ALMX5DP thanks

[@paulrodrigues9603]

My 2 cents... When should you use an EQ hitch? When the truck (T.V.) manufacturer says you need it to tow over a certain weight. You mentioned a heavy boat trailer....... well boat trailers have surge brakes. The tongue must move to operate the master cylinder. I've never seen a boat trailer with an EQ hitch.

[@TruckKing]

Some trailers have surge brakes. Not all, and now that integrated trailer brake controllers are standard in most trucks those trailers will disappear.

[@paulrodrigues9603]

@@TruckKing DUH electric brakes under water. And salt water too. Is there such a thing?

[@rucus0101]

@@paulrodrigues9603 You can rig a boat with electric over hydraulic breaks. Most boat trailer manufacturers will not allow the use of WDH's though. Most boat trailers are not made strong enough in the tongue area to support a WDH. There are some "contraptions" you can purchase to use a WDH but it is a total PIA. You have to unhook your WDH before you launch your boat etc.. Its not really needed for most boats as the tongue weight is relatively light in comparison to overall trailer weight and they dont suffer sway as much. Its something the J2807 tow standards dont address that really should be. According to Ford you cant legally tow a boat over 5000 pounds with an F150 yet you see 50 commercials a year from Ford towing 7-9k wake boats with an F150.

[@googleuser1456]

Did you talk about price or did I miss it?

[@TruckKing]

Opps - we didn't mention the price - Steve forgot the paperwork at his house. Kids...

[@MrBillsfishin]

Have to be honest. I won't ever tow that heavy and really dont care about that hitch but I do care about clicks for you guys. Back to the Hydroline. Lol

[@anthonysourdiff1835]

Seemed like the hitch worked good.

[@TruckKing]

We thought so after running on the highway.

[@chadvalliere8697]

RV dealers need to learn how to properly set one up. I see people all the time with brand new trailers with an EQ hitch and the ass end of the truck is almost touching the ground. Both of the trailers I’ve purchased the dealer did a shit job setting mine up of my vehicles.

[@danmcdonald726]

fucking Kohler ad pops up and blocks the video when your raising up the jack flm

[@kerryrwac]

This hitch is butt dyno approved.

[@TruckKing]

That's my most sensitive side.

[@nebevorgneerg2241]

I despise that truck