What weight distributing hitch do you use (G23)

[jjackkrash]

I would reread your manual. All the raptors I know have a 5000 lb limit without a WDH. The 2017 has a 12000 lb gross vehicle weight. That's the trailer and truck combined. The crew cab is a bit higher. With a WDH towed weight allowed is between 6000 and 8000 depending on model.

And from the real-world scale weights I have seen posted for a G23, even 8K is not near sufficient.

[Dandy21]

I don't know if towing a boat/trailer with a vehicle that is not rated or not properly equipped is illegal and could vary state by state. I don't believe there is an actual law against it. Don't get my wrong, I am not advocating it. If you were to get pulled over, I doubt they would check weights (assuming you are not a commercially registered vehicle), but if you were to get into an accident the insurance companies and possibly law enforcement would then for sure look to determine if you were properly equipped to handle the load. It is for sure a huge liability by towing beyond the registered capabilities. If it were illegal, there are alot of half tons pulling large campers that would be in trouble.

[jjackkrash]

I don't know if towing a boat/trailer with a vehicle that is not rated or not properly equipped is illegal and could vary state by state. I don't believe there is an actual law against it. Don't get my wrong, I am not advocating it. If you were to get pulled over, I doubt they would check weights (assuming you are not a commercially registered vehicle), but if you were to get into an accident the insurance companies and possibly law enforcement would then for sure look to determine if you were properly equipped to handle the load. It is for sure a huge liability by towing beyond the registered capabilities. If it were illegal, there are alot of half tons pulling large campers that would be in trouble.

I have searched and found conflicting info on whether towing beyond limits is "illegal", i.e., whether it will subject you to a fine or penalty, but it does seem like it either varies by state or depends on whether the load you are towing requires a CDL. I am confident, however, that if you get in an accident while towing you are in a much better position if your load complies with manufacturers limits.

[Wake.BC]

2017 raptor


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[Profunctional]

Thank you everyone. It's a superCrew. What i was hoping was to by pass weighing the tongue etc myself and order a WDH that another member had proven success with. I saw a tutorial of using a bathroom scale and a 2x4 but thought someone else may have already visited a weigh station. I'm grateful for all the suggestions on manufactures. Still interested in a specific model as there are so many models dependent on tongue weight and capacity. Lots of great info in here regardless and I thank you all.

[Sailfun]

WDH or not you are going to be over the weight limit for that truck. If you optioned larger tires even more over the limit. I would double check the towing portion of your insurance policy and make sure it does not say something like this. "Boat is covered for on road trailering when towed by a properly rated and equipped vehicle."

[Jakehere]

The problem is that 1/2 ton trucks or suvs they all require WDH for loads over 5000 lbs. The exception is the current body style Chevy Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra twins specify that over 7000lbs needs a WDH.

The G21s are about 7200 lbs in real life including trailers and G23s in the 7800+ range depending on fuel level, trailer weight, and how much stuff you have inside especially lead ballast.

Problem is that the boat trailer mfgs all say no WDH with fold away tongue trailers. And most of us have fold away tongues.

Now if you're towing 15 mins or less down the street to the lake you're illegal technically but personally I wouldn't lose any sleep. The concern is for guys like me that have to tow on crazy busy freeways and for road trips 1-5 hours away.

Remember with any trucks tow rating let's say 8000 lbs. - you have to decrease that number by the passengers and gear you have in your truck. The SAE J2807 towing specs say a full tank in the truck and like a driver and light passenger is included, but it's light. This is where you have to know your trucks GCWR which is the maximum weight of your truck and trailer combined. You can never go over that. With your truck loaded with gear and family it weighs more than you think, leaving less weight to tow than you'd think too. Often times I've found it's about 1000lbs less towing capacity than what you think you have. Do the math and know your trucks weight, boats weight and proper numbers for everything.

Now the easy solution is to go out and buy a 3/4 ton truck. Newer ones don't even require WDH up to max capacity. That's pretty cool.

One thing I'm working on right now to tow my G21 behind my 2016 Yukon Denali is to find a WDH that will work with my fold away tongue and surge brakes. I think I found one.
Its the fastway e2 with round bars. Has to be round bars. The brackets to hold the WDH bars need to be back a minimum 20" from the center of the ball. Shortest setup I could find. What this means is that you can run the tension bars IN FRONT OF the fold away tongue joint. This alleviates the concern that the trailer mfgs have over having all the WDH tension bar stress on the joint of the fold away tongue joint.

Heres what im working on. It's not tested or installed yet work in progress.

[Jakehere]

This setup above I plan on running at a low level of spring if that makes sense. I really don't need much but this is a setup mainly to CYA as far as checking the boxes of proper tow equipment. I'll report back when I actually try it out.

[shanesj]

This setup above I plan on running at a low level of spring if that makes sense. I really don't need much but this is a setup mainly to CYA as far as checking the boxes of proper tow equipment. I'll report back when I actually try it out.

How is this setup working for you?

[Jakehere]

I never used it, I actually returned it all. Instead I got a weigh-safe hitch, that's the hitch with a built in tongue weight scale. My tongue weight with level trailer was exactly 650 lbs. My Yukon specifies that the tongue weight can be up to 600lbs without a WDH, so I figured I was close enough. It actually tows great.

I spoke to a nice guy at Equal-i-zer hitches. I showed him this hitch setup in previous post. He thought it was ok and feasible. He suggested that I get a pole tongue adaptor to "widen the Y" if that makes sense. He saw no reason that I couldn't use a WDH with a folding tongue when it's made from steel. I would use the WDH setup shown if I was towing with a F-150 or other vehicle that requires WDH with trailers over 5000 lbs.

Hope this helps a little.

[shanesj]

Thank you that info was helpful.

[jwl019]

Here is an article I was looking at incase I ever move up to a G23 or G25 behind my Tundra:
https://www.etrailer.com/question-3591.html

[Jakehere]

Here is an article I was looking at incase I ever move up to a G23 or G25 behind my Tundra:
https://www.etrailer.com/question-3591.html

That q and a on etrailers site is out of date. There are several other WDH models that accommodate surge brakes now adays. All of the equalizer models and their sub division company that makes lesser priced models called fastway. Pretty much all WDH that don't use chains will work with surge brakes. E trailer has a search that will help you find one that works with surge brakes. The harder part is to find one that either goes in front of, or in back of, the joint of the fold away tongue.

[Jeff88]

I never used it, I actually returned it all. Instead I got a weigh-safe hitch, that's the hitch with a built in tongue weight scale. My tongue weight with level trailer was exactly 650 lbs. My Yukon specifies that the tongue weight can be up to 600lbs without a WDH, so I figured I was close enough. It actually tows great.

I spoke to a nice guy at Equal-i-zer hitches. I showed him this hitch setup in previous post. He thought it was ok and feasible. He suggested that I get a pole tongue adaptor to "widen the Y" if that makes sense. He saw no reason that I couldn't use a WDH with a folding tongue when it's made from steel. I would use the WDH setup shown if I was towing with a F-150 or other vehicle that requires WDH with trailers over 5000 lbs.

Hope this helps a little.

Go get a 2017 Yukon Denali. They took the WDH stamp off. They are now 1000/10000 lbs weight carrying hitches factory. Of course the tow rating of the vehicle isn't that high but at least the stamping and 500/5000 WDH requirement is gone.


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[Jakehere]

I have a 2016 Yukon Denali. Here's the sticker on my hitch. I've read the owners manual and gmc towing guides a bunch of times. It says over 6000 lbs or 600 lbs tongue weight you need a WDH. Are you saying something changed on the 2017?