[RwayneR]

I think that any tow vehicle can accommodate such a device. I tow a 3000 lb. camper with a tongue weight close to 300 lb. and have never felt the need for a weight distribution hitch device. Given the range hit that occurs with towing, I limit speed to 60-65 and side sway does not happen, even in gusty wind conditions or with large trucks passing. We tow with an EV9 with factory installed hitch and self-leveling rear suspension.

Weight distribution and anti sway are generally unnecessary below about 6000 pounds especially with the self leveling suspension.

 

[RwayneR]

It’s all about the weight in determining if you need one. Your goal should to be having appropriate distribution (12-15%) if you can achieve appropriate tongue weight without a WDH, then you really don’t need one.

Now, Sway control is a different story. Not all WDH include Sway control and you can have sway control without a WDH and theoretically if you have appropriate distribution, you shouldn’t need sway control.

Also take into account construction. WDH works as a lever. Weight down from the trailer puts pressure on the vehicle frame to lift it. The vehicle pressure against it in turn works to lift the tongue thus distributing the weight. Whether or not you use it then becomes a matter of - how strong do you think our frames are?

Generally speaking, I personally do not use a WDH under 500lbs of tongue weight and similarly, I won’t tow my 6500lb camper with my F150 without one.

You have a 6500 pound trailer. Have you ever used your EV9 to tow it?

 

[RwayneR]

The answer is no, when it comes to towing large trailers I don’t like being over spec nor would I personally use a WDH on the frame of the EV9.

In the early days of WDH Drawtite did an ad using a front drive Toronado. With the hitch installed they took the rear wheels off showing the frame connection and drove around. Sometimes, necessity is the mother of invention. I have overloaded my Envoy with load leveling rear air bags a few times to move a trailer a few miles. Lower gear, slow and careful with no problems. I have a situation where I just need to move a couple miles from the campground to storage. A friend bought a pre Tundra era Toyota truck and pre lawyers everywhere that had an advertised towing spec that couldn’t come close to highway speeds. Not everyone follows all the rules. I was just gathering info if anyone was in that category.