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Weight Distribution Hitch for 4x4 Hemi with Quadralift pulling 3,200 lb trailer?

10K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  BirchyBoy 
#1 ·
I have a 2012 JGC 4x4 Hemi with Quadra Lift. I am towing a 3,200 lb (dry weight) 19’ long travel trailer with tongue weight of about 430 lbs.

I was told that with that combination I was on the edge of needing a weight distribution hitch.

To be on the safe side, I purchased an EAZ-Lift weight distribution system and used it once and found it to be a slight PITA putting on and removing.

I just went for a second trip with a standard hitch (no weigh distribution hitch) and noticed how much the air suspension adjusts when the trailer goes on the hitch.

I didn’t notice much difference in driving with or without the EAZ-Lift weight distribution hitch. Both seemed OK.

Can anyone help with input on: 1) should I need a weight distribution hitch with the described setup? and 2) does the automatically-adjusting air suspension of the QuadraLift mitigate any issues that a weight distribution hitch might address?

Thank you.
 
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#2 ·
The WDH isn't going to benefit you as much relative to tongue weight with your setup since it's relatively below the max and the QL deals with it nicely, but that's a longer trailer and it may help with additional sway control, especially with an added sway bar and when windy. (Yes, the JGC has some sway compensation, too) For the small two horse trailer I tow, I'm at about 4800 lbs loaded, but it's much shorter than your rig. I haven't felt the need for a WDH for the local towing I do and yes, the QL does adjust to compensate for tongue weight. (As is does when you have folks in the back seat, even!) I absolutely would do a WDH for towing the nearly 20' length you're dealing with.
 
#5 ·
Consider getting a power jack, best investment to a trailer with a WDH setup. I have a 20' Visa with 350lb tongue weight with a Equal-i-zer WDH, with no more cranking.
 
#7 ·
I pull a 6000 lbs boat and trailer and have Quadra Lift; I had a WDH but stopped using it. They seemed to work against each other and ended up raising the rear of the truck more than it needed.

My tongue weight is about 225lbs and I pulled this boat all the way from Massachusetts with no issues at all.
 
#8 ·
please help! im going crazy with this wdh issue! I agree that it seems like the wdh and auto level in my summit would fight each other BUT my biggest concern is what happens when i get on the highway having set me wdh at normal ride height and the car lowers into Aero mode as it does automatically over the speed of 55. Wont that throw everything off? I dont like the idea of setting the wdh a little high so when it goes into aero mode it levels out because then it wont be correct when i get off the highway. i dont think hauling long distance in sport mode is great either but i could be wrong, in that case my gc will be in Aero mode all the time but that does not sound right. so frustrated. Is there any way to override Aero mode all together while hauling so i can avoid the issue all together? That seems like the only solution but dont think its an option
 
#9 ·
The load leveling/QL do not fight with the WDH at all. There is a substantial thread here about that from, I believe, Willx. Load leveling and WHD do different things, too.

And Aero isn't an issue, either. (which activates at 65, not 55) Aero is only lowering the front by about a half-inch...

No worries.
 
#10 ·
thanks for the reply however, and it may just be my gc, but i have measured it multiple times in Aero mode vs nrh and both the front and the back lower almost a full inch not the 1/2 inch the user guide says, also my "aero mode" kicks in at 52 mph, not that it matter. i have a brand new 2015 summit. Does anyone know if there is a way to disable Aero mode? Its been suggested that there is but its "off the record" and not something that jeep puts in the user guide...
 
#11 · (Edited)
One piece of information you did not provide: is this a single axle or tandem axle trailer ?

If a single axle, the load levelling vs aero will not matter other it may compensate for the tongue weight tendancy to raise the nose.

If a tandem then you need to make sure that the tongue height balances the load on both axles.

ps if aero only drops above 65 mph, trailer tires that begin with "ST" are only rated to 65.
 
#12 ·
Its a 15' flat bed trailer with 2 axles. The Jeep User Guide says a Weight Dis Hitch is mandatory on all loads over 3500lbs, mine will be about 5800lbs. it does not say anything about jeeps that have the quad lift system vs not, so yeah its interesting. I seem to have stumped the dealership with the situation as well.
 
#13 ·
It doesn't matter if you have QL or the "regular" suspension...the WDH is still a requirement over 3500 lbs to insure weight is distributed to the front axel in a balanced way. The difference in height between "normal" and "aero" isn't all that much height. I personally wouldn't worry about it. If you set up your trailer ball height correctly...which makes the trailer ever so slightly nose high normally, the little bit of extra drop at the ball if "aero" kicks in just shouldn't go lower than level. You need to test for this while you do your trailer and WDH setup. (You can force into aero for your testing by going into sport mode)
 
#14 · (Edited)
I've always read that the trailer tongue should slightly below level when adjusted properly. I'm going to dig around and see what I can find.

Edit:
Found this in the Equalizer hitch manual:
• Trailer coupled attitude: Attitude refers to the angle that the trailer is
tipped to. It is generally accepted that a trailer should be towed sitting
parallel to the ground, or with the front (coupler) tipped slightly
down. The front tipped too far up or down may be an indication of
improper trailer loading, or a need to adjust the ball height or weight
distribution settings.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/pdf/eqownersmanual_0111.pdf
 
#16 ·
I bought a Blue-Ox Sway Pro WDH to tow my travel trailer with my GC.

Blue-Ox recommends disabling the air suspension before setting up the WDH, then leveling the trailer and measuring the tongue ball socket height. Then connect the WDH to the vehicle and install the ball so that it sits 1-2 inches higher than the ball socket height. This height is adjustable but the target goal is that the trailer will sit level when the trailer is hooked to the vehicle.

Attach trailer and then re-activate the air suspension.

I haven't done this as the trailer and Jeep are new to me but this all makes perfect sense and should probably be used with other air ride suspensions and WDH systems.

Blue-Ox SwayPro
 
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