Quote:
Originally Posted by delawareprogrammer
If I understand correctly, the WDH distributes the weight without reducing the tongue weight. Is that right?
|
"Tongue Weight" appears to the vehicle as both torque (not just "dead weight") on the two axles. Being behind the rear axle, it tries to "twist" the front axle up, and the axle down. A WDH doesn't change the total vertical load, but by changing the torque, it reverses this twisting effect: Instead of twisting the front axle UP, it is now being twisted down-- the net effect being a vertical load, roughly equal to the vertical load being placed on the rear axle. The WDH also "twists" backwards along the TM frame members, putting load back on to the Trailer axle(s). This weight truly disappears completely, as far as the TV is concerned. Within the WDH itself, the dead weight (vertical) on the hitch ball is increased, becuase the bars are pulling the arms of the TM frame down. But the head is converted most of this into "upwards twist" on the TM frame and the hitch shank. That's why you need to connect the WDH hitch before you connect and adjust the links, and why they come with extra strong "shanks". Your Tow Vehicle never really felt the "tongue weight" at the hitch ball anyway, it "feels" the shank.
Instead of all the weight appearing as a "downwards" twist of dead load at a certain distance, the tow bar is given a powerful UPWARDS "twist" to make the vehicle stay level. Most of the "tongue weight" is still there, but some of it disappears from the TV, having been twisted back on to the trailer.