Boat towing question

[RodBuster]

Looking at new tucks and reviewing towing capacity.   Most brands state in their user's manual that a weight distributing hitch is required for trailers weighing more than 5000lbs.   I've never seen a weight distributing tongue on a boat trailer. I've been pulling an 8500 lb boat/trailer   for 11 years with a half-ton, and no weight distributing hitch.  l'd like to know the logic behind this.

Also, if I got in an accident while towing my boat would insurance say I'm not covered, because my set up didn't meet mfgs' recommendations?????

[tech2526]

this can be debated forever, but as an auto tech,  i see 1/2 ton trucks as glorified big cars now days,  1/2 tons have sacrificed tow ability for ride comfort,   buy a 3/4 ton if you tow a lot.  being able to do a thing and doing that thing well are very different things.  

[RodBuster]

My Toyota pulls just fine....but this weight distribution hitch thing confuses me.  The 3/4 ton say the exact same thing in their owners manual.

[tech2526]

does it say "required" or recommend,   what manufacturer are you looking to buy

[tech2526]

weight distributing hitch

ram 1500,  recommend not required,   

ram 2500,  did not see it listed listed,   may have missed it tho

[spoonfed-1]

4 hours ago, RodBuster said:

My Toyota pulls just fine....but this weight distribution hitch thing confuses me.  The 3/4 ton say the exact same thing in their owners manual.

My 2014 Tundra 5.7 can tow a house. LOL Pulled my 26 1/2" PY. loaded with gear and 110 gal of fuel like nothing.  I was covered by insurance without a distribution hitch. Can't comment on the new ones though. I'll drive my Tundra until I croak.

Edited January 16 by spoonfed-1

[Shakemsam]

I can only imagine that recommendation is geared towards the RV crowd being their tongue weight cant be adjusted.

 

[RodBuster]

Possibly, but why wouldn't they say that in the owner's manual? 

My Tundra Manual is pretty simple, in that it says a weight distribution hitch is required above 5000lbs.  GM and Ram have the exact same language. 

[Shakemsam]

No clue! Honestly, I have never seen any mention in my owner manuals concerning a distribution hitch. And I have never seen one on a boat trailer.

The purpose of a distribution hitch is to eliminate sway from a tongue light load. Your trailer tongue weight should be 10-15% of the gross load wt. 

adjustable by moving your axle(s) forward or back, or even by how far forward or back, the boat sits on the trailer. Not happening on an RV!

[RodBuster]

Yes, and surge breaks and torsion bars won't work together either......just baffles me why they list that edict in the manual. I've asked two salesman, and all i got was silence.

I'll just continue to ignore it.

[spoonfed-1]

8 hours ago, RodBuster said:

Yes, and surge breaks and torsion bars won't work together either......just baffles me why they list that edict in the manual. I've asked two salesman, and all i got was silence.

I'll just continue to ignore it.

Have you tried asking a service manager? My sister works for Toyota service and I can have her get more information if you want to post up details on the vehicle.

Edited January 28 by spoonfed-1

[Shakemsam]

21 hours ago, RodBuster said:

Yes, and surge breaks and torsion bars won't work together either......just baffles me why they list that edict in the manual. I've asked two salesman, and all i got was silence.

I'll just continue to ignore it.

I would guess it just wasn't written with boaters in mind.

[Hillbillyx-press]

Hi RodBuster.   I’m A Ford guy Do not one with 6 cylinder twin turbo.   They are junk for towing.

[RodBuster]

My Tundra is 2019.

 But here is an excerpt from the 2026 Toyota owners manual.

 

If the gross trailer weight is over
5000 lb. (2200 kg), a weight dis-
tributing hitch with sufficient
capacity is required

 

Hillbilly, Did you mean a Ford twin turbo was no good for towing??????

[Hillbillyx-press]

Yes Rod buster. Mileage sucks twin turbo are ok if you are not hauling 

[SusanJames]

2021 F150 2.7L twin Turbo....I pull my 4600lb TT with no problem at all. It does kill the gas mileage though as Hillybilly said.

[SusanJames]

oh.........I do have a weight distributing hitch when pulling the camper to control sway but I can't imagine needing it for a boat.

[Kaz]

In my opinion it's all about how you drive with heavy load . If weight on the trailer is not disturbed properly you will start swing which is dangerous and if you towing a lot I will  look at 3/4 ton truck. Because it will be easier on transmission