SPECIALIZED TOWING
In the towing industry, there are times when greater care and more specialized equipment are required to meet the demands of towing a heavy load. When a standard trailer hitch and ball mount are not enough to handle an especially large trailer and 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches are not the right fit for the job, CURT Manufacturing has created an entire line of towing products that are designed to accommodate the interests of specialized towing.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
CURT weight distribution hitches, or load-equalizing hitches, are designed to create a level ride across your tow vehicle and trailer. This is done by equalizing or distributing the tongue weight of the trailer more evenly onto the vehicle’s axles. CURT weight distribution hitches use metal spring bars to pry or lift up on the back end of the vehicle and move more of the trailer’s tongue weight to the front axle. While a tow vehicle’s back end might sit several inches lower with a heavy trailer, with a weight distribution hitch properly installed, this height difference is reduced and split across the entire vehicle.
CURT weight-distributing hitches come in two styles: round bar and trunnion bar. These refer to the types of spring bars used by each style. A round bar weight distribution hitch uses round spring bars attached to the underside of the WD hitch head, and a trunnion bar weight distribution hitch uses square bars mounted at the face of the hitch head. There is very little difference between the two in terms of weight capacity. However, trunnion bar WD hitches do sometimes offer slightly more ground clearance compared to round bar.
CURT weight distribution hitches feature heavy-duty hitch heads and forged steel spring bars; both of which are highly adjustable to achieve the exact weight distribution necessary. Curt WD hitches come with 2” x 2” shanks to fit receiver-style trailer hitches of classes 3, 4 and 5 as well as some RV hitches. A weight distribution hitch cannot be used on trailer hitches of classes 1 or 2 because of their relatively low gross trailer weight capacity. If a weight distribution hitch were to be applied to a trailer with too little weight, the trailer would become too “stiff” for proper towing. Before purchasing a CURT weight distribution hitch, check to make sure your trailer hitch is compatible.
The chief player in the specialized towing world is the weight distribution (WD) hitch. A weight distribution hitch, also called a weight-distributing hitch or load-equalizing hitch, is a special towing product that provides improved vehicle and trailer control by leveling the trailer and more evenly distributing its weight across the tow vehicle’s axles. Similar to a ball mount, a weight distribution hitch mounts into the receiver tube opening of a trailer hitch and latches onto the trailer’s A-frame using two spring bars. This allows the hitch to lift up on the back of the vehicle, so to speak, and level out the tow vehicle and the heavy trailer. Weight distribution hitches are commonly used on RVs and can also be applied to flatbeds, boat trailers, heavy utility trailers and other large loads. WD hitches are compatible with class 3, 4 and 5 trailer hitches as well as Xtra Duty, Commercial Duty and RV trailer hitches. While a weight distribution hitch will increase the gross trailer weight capacity of most trailer hitches, the vehicle’s weight carrying capacity must be taken into consideration before towing a heavier trailer.
CURT has two styles of weight distribution hitches: trunnion bar and round bar. Both come with forged steel bars, built-in attachment tabs for sway bars and a durable powder coat finish for long-lasting corrosion resistance. To complement WD hitches and maximize sway control on your towing setup, CURT offers a sway control unit that mounts onto your weight distribution assembly and reduces the lateral movement in your trailer commonly caused by wind and passing traffic.
Installing a weight distribution hitch can be somewhat more complicated than the simple pin-&-clip installation of a standard ball mount. For a complete guide on how to install a weight distribution hitch, see the video at the top of the page.
CURT® Manufacturing has been a leader and innovator in the trailering industry since 1993. CURT markets a broad range of trailer hitches, towing systems and related accessories. CURT is "The First Name in Towing Products" for automobile and truck hitches, as well as RV and commercial towing systems. Products are marketed through retailers, distributors, installers, and e-tailers across the U.S. and Canada. CURT employs almost 350 associates, primarily at its manufacturing and headquarters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. CURT operates 10 regional warehouses, each carrying over 2,500 items and has been twice named a Wisconsin "Manufacturer of the Year".