Weight Distribution Hitches Explained - The What & Why About Them

Have you been thinking of purchasing a hitch or pull trailer to help haul your loads over a considerable distance? Good idea as these type of trailers are known for their many advantages. As long as your vehicle can tow, trailers are your best bet for versatility and ease in use.

However, before you decide to part with some money, it is best to learn a thing or two about these popular trailers and rv power jacks. There are a number of essentials that you may require to use as you attempt to tow along your trailer. For the purposes of this article, we shall be focusing on the weight distribution hitch.

What exactly is a weight distribution hitch and why is it important?

First things first, bumper- pull trailers do not connect to the bumper of the towing vehicle. The ball hitch is, instead fitted over the trailer's tongue. Individuals with gooseneck trailers, however; are different and don't need weight distribution hitches.

Despite its advantages, bumper- pull trailers can become unstable or sway while on the road. This is often due to the lack of proper weight distribution, hence the need for a weight distribution hitch.

Weight distribution hitches are often placed and can be found under the tongue of a bumper- pull trailer. They are essentially used to bring about equal weight distribution between the trailer and the vehicle, hence the name. These tools help transfer the weight on both the trailer and towing vehicle down to their axles.

Essentially, weight distribution hitches ensure that the weight of the trailer does not accumulate at the tongue. This weight distribution is what helps bring stability and control on the road. They come in handy when you need to make a sudden turn or stop as well.

Below are a few reasons as to why a weight distribution hitch is important.

  • To help ensure stability while driving
  • Gives the driver full control while on the road
  • Improves maneuvering while driving

If you do choose to purchase a bumper- pull trailer, a weight distribution hitch is required. Be sure to let a professional install the hitch for you. Due to their level of knowledge and skill in this particular area, they can install the hitch and ensure that it is properly balanced.

This ensures that the hitch achieves its intended purpose. By installing it yourself, you risk putting yourself and others in danger. The trailer could possibly lose balance or come off even while you're on the road.

Best Weight Distribution Hitch Reviews & Guide

If you own a large truck or SUV, you already have plenty of built-in towing capabilities. However, even heavy-duty trucks can use some assistance with heavier cargo. Standard hitches can handle lighter loads without any issues. But if you're towing campers, heavy trailers, or sports gear for weekend getaways, a weight distribution hitch is a must!

The best weight distribution hitch can balance the load across your vehicle, providing a safe and smooth ride. They provide natural sway control and ensure that all of your towing vehicle's wheels are on the road the entire ride.

No matter how experienced you are with towing trailers and cargo, it's an inherently dangerous task. Unknown factors like wind gusts and rough road conditions can turn an otherwise smooth ride into a hazardous one! When you throw an unbalanced load into the mix, you're just asking for trouble! All it takes is a moment for you to lose control of the vehicle. Even if you manage to maneuver safely, you'll end up fighting with the effects your cargo has on road performance.

A reliable weight distribution hitch can put an end to those struggles. They manipulate weight placement and pressure throughout your tow vehicle and trailer, allowing you to get from point A to point B without any issues.

In this guide, we're going to break down what these hitches have to offer. We'll go over the ins and outs of how weight distribution hitches work and some important details to narrow down your search for the right one. But before we get to that, here are some of the best weight distribution on the market to get you started!

Best Weight Distribution Hitches

Editor's Choice: EAZ LIFT 48056 Elite Kit



This hitch from EAZ Lift is a premium option for those looking to haul ultra-heavy cargo. It has a GTW of 10,000 pounds, making it more than capable of hauling boats, campers, and more.

Made of high-quality engineered steel, the unit is tough. Many of the components are already pre-installed as well. The hitch comes ready to go with a hitch ball, chains, and shank clips. There's plenty of hardware to customize your setup, but the system is designed for quick and easy installation.

The sway control is respectable. It's a round bar hitch. However, chains are utilized in lieu of traditional spring bar setups. This counteracts vertical motions and provides greater flexibility in terms of adjusting the hitch to fit your trailer and vehicle.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 600 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 10,000 pounds
  • Pre-installed sway control
  • Easy to adjust
  • Durable engineered steel

Cons:

  • Sway bar mounting isn't the most durable

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



49903 Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit with Integrated Sway

From Reese is this versatile weight distribution hitch. Like the previous unit, it utilizes chains for greater flexibility. Even better, it has an adjustable friction sway control system.

Located between the coupler and mounting brackets, it creates more rigidity on the road. Not only that, but it's adjustable. With the turn of a knob, you can control the amount of stability you receive. It adapts to your changing needs, which is perfect if you haul multiple items regularly.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,000 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 10,000 pounds
  • Reliable friction sway control
  • Preinstalled and torqued
  • Good for taller trucks
  • Comes with 10-year limited warranty

Cons:

  • Might not fit trailers with longer couplers

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



Husky 32218 Center Line TS with Spring Bars



Husky is no stranger to creating reliable hitches. This one uses Trunnion-style spring bars. They provide natural sway control and can accommodate most trailer weights without any issues.

You don't have to rely on the bars alone for sway control. A standalone center line bar. It's integrated into the receiver. Thus, you don't need to add any additional hardware to keep things stable. It does the job and creates adequate friction to reduce lateral movement on the road.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,200 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 12,000 pounds
  • Integrated sway control
  • Quiet on the road
  • Relatively lightweight
  • Made from hardened steel

Cons:

  • Shank may be too short for some setups

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



Andersen Hitches No-Sway Weight Distribution Hitch



This Andersen hitch offers exceptional sway control. It doesn't use traditional spring bars. Instead, it utilizes self-adjusting chains. The sway control system does a fantastic job of keeping the trailer stable. It even reduces bouncing, making it a suitable choice for rough road conditions.

The hitch is also very lightweight. Weighging in at less than 60 pounds, it doesn't add considerably weight to your rear axle. Furthermore, it easily accommodates reverse driving you can back up without having to worry about removing the trailer.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,000 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 10,000 pounds
  • No bounce anti-sway system
  • Self adjusting
  • Weighs less than 60 pounds

Cons:

  • Can be difficult to assemble and install

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



EAZ LIFT 48053 Elite Bent Bar Weight Distributing Hitch



Another option from EAZ Lift, this hitch is sporting all the great features you would expect from the brand. The round bars provide adequate weight distribution while also stabilizing the trailer on the road. There's also an adjustable shank to accommodate trailers and receivers of multiple sizes.

This hitch doesn't come with sway control out of the box. However, you can install a system for additional security. It already has a place to install it.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,000 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 10,000 pounds
  • Adjustable shank
  • Simpler assembly process
  • Comes with five-year warranty

Cons:

  • Not the best for ground clearance
  • Doesn't come with sway control

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



Husky 31997 800LB Weight Distribution Hitch



The sway control hitch from Husky has everything you need to drive safely. While not the most capable of the hitches on our list, it can still accommodate heavy payloads without an issue. The unit is easy to install and is is pretty lightweight.

The best feature is the adjustable friction sway control. Like other Husky hitches, it's sporting an adjustable lever to help you achieve the amount of stability you need to match road conditions.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 800 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 8,000 pounds
  • Adjustable sway control
  • Lightweight
  • Preassembled and easy to install

Cons:

  • Not for ultra-heavy cargo

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



Camco Eaz-Lift ReCurve R6 Weight Distributing Hitch Kit

Built out of heavy-duty steel, this sway control hitch is durable enough to last. Whether you're hauling a heavy travel trailer or a boat, it has you covered. The unit uses Trunnion spring bars. Not only are they tough enough to provide adequate counter weighting, but the positioning also improves ground clearance.

One big perk of this system is the integrated sway control. It's built right into the hitch. Plus, it's easy to control. You can manipulate the friction-based resistance by turning a nut.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,000 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 12,000 pounds
  • Good ground clearance
  • Adjustable sway control
  • Low profile design

Cons:

  • May require frequent lubrication for proper operation

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



CURT 17057 MV Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch

Here's a super flexible weight distribution hitch. It fits most vehicles and is compatible with a wide range of travel trailers. Thanks to the massive GTW capacity and tongue weight, you shouldn't have any issues. The bracket is adjustable, and the snap-up brackets are a cinch to attach.

The hitch doesn't come with any integrated sway control. However, there is an option to include it. It's already built to accept add-on sway control systems for extra security.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,400 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 14,000 pounds
  • Continuous lubrication
  • Adjustable shank
  • Corrosion-resistant finish

Cons:

  • Doesn't have built-in sway control

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON



Reese 66559 Steadi-Flex Trunnion Weight-Distributing Hitch Kit

Built for travel trailers and RVs, this hitch from Reese has a lot going for it. It's available in multiple ratings and has a couple of convenience features for simplicity. These include an improved coupler design and built-in sway control.

The anti-sway feature relies on friction to prevent lateral movements. It uses similar materials to what you would find on car brakes. Best of all, the two point sway control is part of the spring bars. The sway control system isn't a separate component, which keeps things easy and streamlined.

Pros:

  • Maximum tongue weight of 1,000 pounds
  • Maximum GTW is 10,000 pounds
  • Available in multiple ratings
  • Integrated sway control
  • Easy-connect coupler
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • May not fit all cargo trailers

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