Weight Distribution Hitches

[Cruise Control]

Hi All

Just after some clarification if I can regarding the use of Weight Distribution Hitches. I read that a WDH is "recommended" for use with a trailer weight over 2.2T (or thereabouts).

Question is:

Is this a legal requirement or a recommendation by Jeep ? My drive is a 2014 WK2 GC diesel - obviously concerned re insurance ducking in the event of an incident.

Thanks in advance for any input.

cheers

[Buffomarinus]

Recommendation

[Sterling Sal]

Hi,

I would think it is a legal requirement when it comes to your insurer! If the handbook says to use it and you haven't, then you crash,..... well, you know the rest!

Sensible advice anyway - you should use a WDH with heavy ball weights.


We use one with our Jeep GC Limited CRD and also use the HR Dual Cam Sway with it. Rock solid towing!

Our Lotus van has a ball weight of 280-300kg.

Cheers,
Sally

[JnK]

If you are at all concerned I would suggest a conversation with your insurer.
Way back when we first purchased our 2012 CRD, in just such a conversation with our insurer, and after sharing the exact wording in the handbook at the time - their advice (after a bit of discussion and conversation with a supervisor), was "that in the event of any claim arising from an incident while towing, they would expect me to have complied with any and all recommendations relating to towing, made by the vehicle or caravan manufacturer".
They also commented "If their assessor determined that non compliance may be a contributing factor then that may have an effect on such claim".
Exactly as I expected……and pretty clear to me at least.

Our van goes 2200kg loaded and just under the 2268Kg threshold, but I use a WDH as I believe it integrates the van and vehicle into a better handling package.
John

[Pipeliner]

My caravan weighs just under the 3,500kg towing capacity and I wouldn't consider not using a WDH when towing it - the difference in the attitude of the Jeep between loading and not loading the WDH is visible and remarkable.

Tip for WDH users: when hitching up, lower the van onto the towball until the ball is engaged in the hitch but there is no load on the ball, then attach the WDH before finally lowering the van onto the ball. That way there is minimal to no load on the WDH when you attach the chains making it a much easier job. Same thing in reverse when removing it.


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[Cruise Control]

Thanks for comments so far but the jury is still out I think!

Spoke to my insurers claim consultant who advised that if the vehicle was "legally required" to be fitted with a WDH and it wasn't, then expect difficulty with any claim. They also advised that recommended is not a legal requirement. That was the end of any information that they could provide.

I am also speaking to WA vehicle licensing who are unable to provide any documentation at all as to whether a WDH is a legal requirement. After speaking to their Contact Centre they are referring on to their vehicle inspectors for further feedback.

I tow a 3.5t boat without a WDH. The vehicle sits flat and level and tows without any buffeting or sway.

Its a very gray area and fitting a WDH to a boat trailer is not an easy task. As I continue my enquiries I will update the thread.

[JnK]

I recall the 2012 manual used to say "recommended".

You prompted me to go to the operating manual for our 2015 CRD.

On page 300 in the trailer towing section it says (in a highlighted box)
"if the gross trailer weight is is 5000 lbs (2268kg) or more, it is mandatory to use a weight distributing hitch to ensure stable handling of your vehicle. If you use a standard weight carrying hitch you could lose control of your vehicle and cause a collision."

I read "standard weight carrying hitch" to mean towbar. And "mandatory" is pretty clear.

Doesn't sound like a lot of wiggle room there.

I've seen plenty of WK2s towing without a WDH and had conversations with owners who say "it tows brilliantly without" - but in a worse case scenario I definitely don't want any unticked boxes or discussions on degrees of interpretation.
Personally I don't see it as a grey area if the towed mass is in excess of 2268kg - for our 2015 model anyway.
John