Since I started towing heavier trailers, I have learned something about
these hitches. They essentially work because the spring bars are in tension
trying to raise the hitch point. This transfers weight to the front of the
towing vehicle and toward the rear of the towed vehicle. I used to use 750#
bars and have gone to 1000# bars to handle the tongue weight of my trailer.
I had an experience once showing how well they work when I disconnected
them and hooked the trailer back up to just move it a little. The hitch
welding apparently was weak and it pulled off the frame! The bars had been
keeping enough weight off to keep it together. I understand you can even
take enough weight off the rear wheels of a lite rig so as to be unsafe.
They also tend to stiffen the rig against swaying when trucks pass.
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-vintage-race@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-vintage-race@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Lyle Rundhaug
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2000 12:25 PM
To: Vintage Racing
Subject: weight distributing hitches
I was following a recent thread on tow vehicles but saw no mention of
weight distributing hitches. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience
with such hitches and if they work... and how they work?
Lyle
68 Cortina GT
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