Weight Distribution Hitch

Alan,

What is the towball weight?

Is that the weight on the compliance plate or the weighed amount when the van is loaded. If its the former, the latter should be considerably more and it would probably be a good idea to use a WDH.

140kg for a 2170 kg van is rather light I would think. 10% is considered normal

Seems you won't really be sure until you get the van, hook up and make some measurements. But I think the WDH is good insurance if the figures add up to 'maybe'....the WDH dampens any fore and aft pitching of the rig that particular road surfaces can produce (dips, crests etc.). The last thing we vanners want is the front wheels of the tug getting into light contact with the road :-(.

It will depend largely on what the tow ball weight will end up being.

I have a van which is 1700kg (empty) but with my Colorado rig fully loaded, I have a tow ball weight of 270kg. The Colorado is rated at 300kg tow ball weight and as mine is an off road rig, I don't use or need a WDH.

I have added a pair of Supersprings to my Colorado, to provide a bit more support to the leaf suspension, but my vehicle is now 7yo.

All good and safe for me.

A WDH is probably not needed. Loading and distribution of weight in the van is first consideration. Most mass close to the axle centre line is a good move. Weight in the Colorado rather than the van is also a good move. A WDH adds lots of mass at the hitch point and that mass alone can cause problems with pitching. Dual axle or single and how far from ball to first spring hanger? All factors to be considered. I tow a 16 ft single axle at 140 on the ball and decided a WDH is not necessary.

Iza