Many an RVer who starts searching online for “RV weight distribution hitches” will be sitting in that same chair three hours later, muttering curse words, browsing comments on RV forums that completely contradict each other, and getting angrier by the click. My aim is to rescue you from that cyber abyss.

If you’re wondering whether a weight-distribution hitch decreases your tongue weight, then the answer is yes/no/depends on how you look at it.

• No, it doesn’t reduce the static tongue weight of your trailer.
• Yes, it reduces the vertical load at the ball-coupler connection.
• … but it significantly increases the clamping force on the trailer ball itself.
• No, it doesn’t allow you to tow more than your truck allows.
• … but your truck probably demands you have one to tow more than 5,000 lbs.

Confused yet?

Big Takeaways About Weight-Distribution Hitches

• Yes, weight distribution hitches reduce the vertical load at the hitch, but you don’t need to worry about that. Just use the normal static tongue weight as your basis.
• Yes, weight distribution hitches will increase stress on your trailer ball, coupler, and tongue. You need to make sure your travel trailer tongue can handle the added forces without bending.
• You probably need a WDH if your camper weighs 5,000 lbs or more when loaded.
• Pick a weight-distribution hitch with a weight capacity just above (not below) the maximum loaded weight of your trailer. The closer, the better!