> Christopher wrote: > That sounds really nice. What is a weight distribution hitch?
To make a trailer dynamically stable, at least 10% of the mass needs to be in front of the trailer axles. 15% is better. 50% is best (it's then called a "semi-trailer" -like the big trucks use - rather than a "full trailer"). With a majority of the mass in front of the trailer axle, side-to-side disturbances tend to be self-canceling. With more mass behind the axle, the oscillations self re-enforce. This is a common cause of upside-down trailers jack-knifed in the ditch. With a ordinary hitch, mass = weight. So a 2,000 lb (900 kg) trailer and a 4,400 lb (2,000 kg) car on it the gross weight of the trailer is 6,400 lb (2,900 kg). 15% of that is 960 lb (435 kg). That's how much weight will be on the very back of your van. It _will_ raise the front. The solution is "weight distributing". It is a bulky hitch assembly that's commonly seen on camper trailers. With the aid of one or two spring bars, tension is applied at the hitch point lifting the back of the tow vehicle. The result is some of the weight is "distributed" to the trailer and steer axles - but the mass stays so the stability is not affected. Now that I have one, I can't see ever doing without it - at least when the trailer gross is more than 1/2 the truck weight. -- Philip _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
