Hidden Hitch Weight Distributing Hitch Systems
Why Weight Distribution?
- Recommended for vehicles towing weights in excess of 5000 lbs.
- Removes weight from rear axle and distributes across all axles
of vehicle and trailer.
- Weight Distributing Hitches apply leverage between the towing
vehicle and trailer causing the tongue weight (TW) to be carried
by all axles of the tow vehicle and trailer.
Benefits of weight distribution:
- Level load
- Better Braking
- Better Handling
- Less strain on vehicle
- Greater towing capacity
Determining the right kit:
Determine the trailer tongue weight. This is the vertical weight
of a level trailer directly over the coupler. Tongue weight can be
found in the trailer's manual. A rough calculation is 10% of the
gross trailer weight.
Match the total of your trailer tongue weight and the cargo weight
in your towing vehicle as closely as possible to the ratings on the
WD kit spring bars.
A Hidden Hitch Weight-Distributing Hitch System is composed of five
major elements:
- The Hitch Receiver
- The Hitch & Head Shank
- The Spring Bar Assembly
- The Trailer Ball
- The Sway Control
These components work in unison to provide complete towing system
compatibility.
Trailer sway must always be considered in trailer towing. Unwanted
saw turns a pleasant towing situation sour. Many factors can contribute
to trailer sway - the design of the trailer, the suspension, tire
inflation pressures, configuration of the tow vehicle, towing speeds
and hitch weight. Therefore, Hidden Hitch has devised several options
to resist or prevent trailer sway.
Two popular methods of sway control
Dual Cam Sway Control (for use
with weight-distributing equipment)
This patented product is the premier method for controlling trailer
sway. Unlike the friction sway control, this approach works to control
sway from the start rather than just resisting cams once it's begun.
And it works only when needed, When towing in a straight line, the
cams on either side of the trailers A-frame are locked in position.
This essentially creates a "rigid" connection between tow vehicle and
trailer and minimizes the effects induced sway caused by high crosswinds
or passing vehicles. Usually the cams ride in a detent, locked-in position,
even on fairly sharp curves. However when cornering maneuvers are
required, the cams automatically slide out of their detent to permit
full radius turns. Yet when the maneuver is short and abrupt, like
that encountered in the event of a sudden swerve or a wheel dropping
off the road, the cams seek a straight-line towing angle that helps
the tow vehicle retain control. The advantage of the Dual Cam system
is it's ability to forestall sway in addition to sway resistance. It
works to hold down the start of swaying activity while at the same
time allowing free and easy vehicle and trailer interaction. Another
advantage of the Dual Cam system is that it's installed on the trailer
and therefore doesn't require adjustment every time the towing vehicle
and trailer are hooked up, unless hitch weight or tow vehicle loading
are changed.
Friction Sway Control uses friction
to resist the pivotal movement and thereby works against the effects
of induced sway. It operates on the principle of "stiffening" the
coupling between the tow vehicle and trailer. The degree of "stiffening"
or friction is adjusted to suit various trailer weights and towing
conditions. it's operation is simple and uncomplicated. It doesn't
prevent the generation of sway; it simply works to resist the forces
once they have started. |
