Tow vehicle stance?

Originally posted by TheBum Originally posted by GlueGuy It still ends up the same way. For most pickups with the back end higher unloaded, adding a WDH will tend to level it. For most passenger vehicles, with the stance level unloaded, adding the WDH will bring the back end up and tend to level it. I would say that 90% of the time adding the WDH will tend to level the whole setup (TT + TV). Our Highlander sits noticeably (but not significantly) lower in the back with our 179 hitched up through our E2 WDH than unhitched, but the front end is at the same level both ways. FWD vehicles may be more sensitive to this than RWD or AWD because of all the extra linkages.

I'm not saying it's a hard and fast rule or anything. However, when I see a TV/TT combo that is significantly out of "level", I immediately suspect that something's not quite right. There is certainly an amount of tolerance, and it will vary between vehicles, but it's something I keep in mind when I observe.

I think they are meant to tow and the design of the vehicle to include the rear suspension is designed to compensate for load to a point. Once that load is more than the vehicle's suspension can compensate for and is within reason, the decision is the operators to add additional help, like a WDH. I don't recommend you enhance the suspension, but some folks do. The best option is to transfer the weight and that is what a WDH does, not make the rear go higher or sag less, which is what suspension enhancements do. You have to be within the tow capacity of the vehicle and I'm sure you know that which is what I mean by "within reason".

Originally posted by TheBum Originally posted by GlueGuy And either kind of vehicle will (should) be level if hitched with a WDH (weight distribution hitch). Not really. The front end is usually designed to handle a certain amount of weight. If you completely level the vehicle with tow weight attached and a WDH, you're transferring more weight to the front end than it was designed for. What you should shoot for is no change on the front, i.e. the height of the front wheel well before and after attaching the trailer should be roughly the same, with the excess weight on the rear end.

It still ends up the same way. For most pickups with the back end higher unloaded, adding a WDH will tend to level it. For most passenger vehicles, with the stance level unloaded, adding the WDH will bring the back end up and tend to level it. I would say that 90% of the time adding the WDH will tend to level the whole setup (TT + TV).

Originally posted by GlueGuy And either kind of vehicle will (should) be level if hitched with a WDH (weight distribution hitch).

Not really. The front end is usually designed to handle a certain amount of weight. If you completely level the vehicle with tow weight attached and a WDH, you're transferring more weight to the front end than it was designed for. What you should shoot for is no change on the front, i.e. the height of the front wheel well before and after attaching the trailer should be roughly the same, with the excess weight on the rear end.

And either kind of vehicle will (should) be level if hitched with a WDH (weight distribution hitch).