Weight distribution hitch?

[2DoorDan]

Just wondering what folks do when towing to reduce sag and limit sway. My dealer told me that I needed a hitch extender to get beyond the spare tire, and that prevents using a WDH. Is that correct? Are sumo springs an option to reduce sag?

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[RagnarKon]

I've personally never used an extender, just a 4" drop hitch. On my Badlands non-Sas I can tow up to ~2700 lbs without any noticeably sag. Once you get up closer to 3000 lbs you start to notice it a bit, but as long as you pay attention to your tongue weight and load it correctly it isn't bad at all.

Trailer sway hasn't been an issue at all, and I've admittedly loaded the trailer like a buffoon a few times. I suspect 2-door Broncos with their shorter wheel base may have to worry about trailer sway a little bit more since their shorter wheel base would reduce overall stability. But if you load your trailer correctly shouldn't be an issue.

If I regularly towed close to the maximum tow rating I would absolutely swap out the rear suspension, but that's it. I have ZERO intention on ever using a weight distribution hitch. My (perhaps unpopular opinion) is that weight-distribution hitches are a relatively cheap way to for people to ignore proper suspension and proper trailer loading techniques. But even if you ignore my unpopular opinion... if I'm towing something with my Bronco I'm probably going camping/adventuring, and using a weight distribution hitch while off-roading is just a bad idea. Good way to bend something.

Here is my stupidly-loaded trailer full of junk from this past fall. This load came out to be ~2200 lbs.

 

[2DoorDan]

Thanks. I am towing close to the max. Where do you go to get a suspension upgrade? Sorry this is all new to me.

 

[Murfman]

Just wondering what folks do when towing to reduce sag and limit sway. My dealer told me that I needed a hitch extender to get beyond the spare tire, and that prevents using a WDH. Is that correct? Are sumo springs an option to reduce sag?

if you use a hitch extender, you drop your towing capacity by 1/2. keep that in mind.

 

[2DoorDan]

Understood, and that's a concern. My issue is the handle of the tongue jack hitting the spare tire unless the extension is on there.

 

[Rspayde]

Understood, and that's a concern. My issue is the handle of the tongue jack hitting the spare tire unless the extension is on there.

Probably worth looking into some different tongue jack options. Maybe a heavy duty pivoting one mounted off to the side. I am not extremely knowledgeable with trailers so am purely spit balling.

Unfortunately this may be one of those cases where you simply got caught up in the wrong vehicle. Or you have to downsize the trailer. I am hoping that you have gotten a trailer break controller installed or are planning to get one installed.

 

[MFP2241]

I agree with the advice above ^^. It's going to be a lot less hassle changing out the jack than it is the suspension.

 

[2DoorDan]

Good idea, thank you both. I'll look for a better jack solution. Without the extension maybe there will be less sag. Also yes I've got a brake controller.

 

[cbrenthus]

Or take the spare off and throw it in the trailer when towing or the Bronco when towing. I'm looking into travel trailers, and thinking I would have our stuff in the trailer and just the spare in the back of the Bronco. And now that I think of the physics, moving the spare to the inside of the Bronco would lighten it just a bit on the suspension because it is no longer hanging off the back acting as a lever.

 

[2DoorDan]

Or, hang the spare on the back of the trailer and offset some of the tongue weight.

 

[AlpineDescent]

if you use a hitch extender, you drop your towing capacity by 1/2. keep that in mind.

Not true, if you go over 12” you reduce tongue weight capacity by 25%.

Or take the spare off and throw it in the trailer when towing or the Bronco when towing. I'm looking into travel trailers, and thinking I would have our stuff in the trailer and just the spare in the back of the Bronco. And now that I think of the physics, moving the spare to the inside of the Bronco would lighten it just a bit on the suspension because it is no longer hanging off the back acting as a lever.

That’s what I intended to do, but unfortunately, the backup camera sticks out farther than the spare.

 

[AlpineDescent]

If you are getting a lot of sag, you are probably going WAY over the 350 lb tongue weight capacity. Get a scale and measure it before setting out. In the USA, trailers are heavily biased to the tongue, you almost certainly will need to load heavier things to the back to get to the 8-10% range.

 

[cbrenthus]

Not true, if you go over 12” you reduce tongue weight capacity by 25%.

That’s what I intended to do, but unfortunately, the backup camera sticks out farther than the spare.

And the trailer jack is high enough to hit the camera?

 

[AlpineDescent]

And the trailer jack is high enough to hit the camera?

It was with mine, it was an electric jack, but I think the manual ones were a similar height.

 

[AlpineDescent]

Just remember to account for articulation, if the rear wheels are in a dip, things get a lot closer

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