Power Wagon Weight Distribution Hitch

[wyvern]

Hi folks, I am an HD towing newbie trying to solicit advice from people who have towed significant loads with their Power Wagons.

For my specific 2023 model year Power Wagon, here are the key towing figures:

GVWR (lbs)	Payload (lbs)	Front GAWR (lbs)	Rear GAWR (lbs)	GCWR (lbs)	Max Trailer (lbs)
8,565	1,610	4,750	6,200	18,000	10,570

With my stock height suspension I'm measuring just under 26 inches from the inside of the class V receiver to the ground.

Ultimately, my goal is to safely tow a trailer with a GVWR of 10,400 pounds and a dry hitch weight of 800 pounds. For these purposes, I've sourced Full Travel Bags and I'm attempting to source a proper weight distribution hitch (WDH).

My inclination was to opt for a Weigh Safe WDH to get the integrated scale feature, even if some claim it's a gimmick. I've settled on 10 inches of drop given the versatility of this configuration and the height of the Power Wagon.

However, their spring arm ratings have confounded this process. They have 2 options around my trailer range, a heavy duty WDH with an 18,500 pound max trailer weight (1,850 pound max tongue weight) and a midweight WDH with a 12,500 pound max trailer weight (1,250 pound max tongue weight).

Would the heavy duty WDH be too much for my application and would I risk damaging my trailer? Is 10 inches of drop reasonable for a Power Wagon setup like this? Thanks very much for the wisdom, I appreciate it.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

I don't think you need a 10" drop.
Here's a pic of my recent tow set up. Stock '21 PW on 35s. Trailer dry was about 7800.

 

[wyvern]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

I've seen claims of everything from 8" to 11" drop needed for the stock Power Wagon. Given Weigh Safe only has 4", 6", 8" or 10" options, I figured I'd max it out.

 

[McHenry2500]

They have 2 options around my trailer range, a heavy duty WDH with an 18,500 pound max trailer weight (1,850 pound max tongue weight) and a midweight WDH with a 12,500 pound max trailer weight (1,250 pound max tongue weight).

I'd look into whether the midweight is a 2" vs the HD is probably a 2 1/2". For ease of use and to avid having to use a sleeve, I'd go with the HD version.

 

[wyvern]

I'd look into whether the midweight is a 2" vs the HD is probably a 2 1/2". For ease of use and to avid having to use a sleeve, I'd go with the HD version.

Thanks, but both the midweight and the heavyweight WDH options from Weigh Safe have 2" and 2.5" shaft options: https://www.weigh-safe.com/product/true-tow-weight-distribution-middleweight/

 

[Afterburner]

Are you only considering bumper pull trailers? I think 10k lbs feels a lot more stable in a gooseneck setup.

 

[wyvern]

Wow, what a great looking truck, man.

I actually hadn't considered goosenecks at all, mainly because I figured most gooseneck trailers would be too heavy for the Power Wagon and potentially the gooseneck hitch itself would weigh more than a common WDH, further impeding on the already low payload.

Additionally, for those curious, I called Weigh Safe directly and their product support recommended the Heavyweight 18,500 pound WDH option directly, stating it shouldn't harm the lighter 10,000 pound trailer I have in mind.

After shellback's comments, I will be going with 8 inches of drop as well, as I don't want to risk scraping.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Are you only considering bumper pull trailers? I think 10k lbs feels a lot more stable in a gooseneck setup.

View attachment 88088

Nice color on the PW.

 

[dieselscout80]

Wow, what a great looking truck, man.

I actually hadn't considered goosenecks at all, mainly because I figured most gooseneck trailers would be too heavy for the Power Wagon and potentially the gooseneck hitch itself would weigh more than a common WDH, further impeding on the already low payload.

Additionally, for those curious, I called Weigh Safe directly and their product support recommended the Heavyweight 18,500 pound WDH option directly, stating it shouldn't harm the lighter 10,000 pound trailer I have in mind.

After shellback's comments, I will be going with 8 inches of drop as well, as I don't want to risk scraping.

I think a fifth wheel hitch would be heavy, but not a gooseneck.

 

[johnmyster]

Are the bars of the “heavy” stiffer? Generally having bars that are more compliant is better, and then preload them for desired front weight restoration.

Overstiff bars have greater increase/decrease of load as the truck and trailer move vs one another.

Also, that sounds like lots of drop. Is your hitch on the trailer really that low? Bigger trailers are usually higher up.

Top of my hitch receiver is 24” to ground unloaded. Running about 1/2” rise (to base of hitch ball). Trailer is 1700# tongue weight, tows level, but my suspension is stiffer than yours…I guess it depends on how much you plan to use airbags to restore ride height when towing.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

as far as drop it really is going to depend on the tongue of the trailer. My old car hauler needed an 8” drop on my stock non pw 2500 but my new trailer rides at 6” drop

 

[Bobbybob]

I have an equalizer to pull our Grand Design Imagine 2400BH. I have not towed a lot yet with this rig, just got it a few weeks ago as I replaced my 1500. I love the equalizer as a whole...it really does a great job with distribution and sway (pulled that trailer a lot with the 1500). My buddy has a weigh safe and had to send his hitch back as something went wring with it. Overall he seemed to like it but that was frustrating for him. IMO, less to go wrong with the simpler equalizer. I thought about switching to the weigh safe after he bought it but am sticking with the equalizer.

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

I use an adjustable drop hitch, that way I can change it based upon the trailer. You want it as level as possible, and trailers are different heights. This really helps. Never have tried a weight distribution hitch, but for my 7K loaded camper is not needed, and while I tow 12-15K regularly with out issue, its important to note that is heavy equipment and material in a dump trailer which tends to be safer then huge RVs.

 

[AH64ID]

I use an adjustable drop hitch, that way I can change it based upon the trailer. You want it as level as possible, and trailers are different heights. This really helps. Never have tried a weight distribution hitch, but for my 7K loaded camper is not needed, and while I tow 12-15K regularly with out issue, its important to note that is heavy equipment and material in a dump trailer which tends to be safer then huge RVs.

Having done plenty of miles with and without WDH on these trucks with RV’s and stock trailers I would suggest you give it a try. While it’s definitely not needed the towing experience is so much better with a good WDH.