Trailer More Safely with Weight Distribution Bars

Trailer more Safely with Weight Distribution Bars

If you’re considering
bumper pull horse trailer trailer or currently own one, you’ve probably heard of a weight distribution bar. Maybe you’ve wondered if your rig needs them. Understanding the basics of a weight distributing hitch can help you decide if you should be using one.

Weight distribution bars, also known as stabilizer bars or equalizer bars, more evenly distribute the trailer’s weight between the trailer and the towing vehicle.

Have you ever seen a bumper pull
trailer hitched to a vehicle whose back end was sagging down? Hopefully, your trailer and vehicle doesn’t look this way because if it does, it means the rear axles of the vehicle are carrying too much tongue weight. This lightens the front end of the vehicle which can create float or bounce as you travel. (To use an analogy, think of what happens when your horse rears; you don’t want that happening to your vehicle while pulling a trailer!)

Properly adjusted weight distribution bars alleviate this problem by displacing the weight resting on the hitch ball and rear axles. Instead, the bars take up the weight and distribute it through the frame of the tow vehicle and the trailer, thus leveling the two. With the weight better distributed, you put less wear and tear on your towing vehicle and your trailer tows better and more safely.

Should you be using weight distribution bars? To find out, check the rating sticker on your hitch, it will list two weight ratings. One rate applies to the weight-carrying load, which is the maximum your hitch can support without using weight distribution bars. The other rate applies to the weight-distribution load, which is the maximum load you can pull using weight distribution bars.

So, for example, let’s say your weight-carrying rating is 2500 lbs. and your weight-distribution is 6500 lbs. You’re heading out to a show with your gear and your 1200 lb. horse. If your trailer weighs 2500 lbs. empty and you’ve added 1200 lbs. plus the weight of your gear, you’ve exceeded the weight-carrying rating and should be using weight distribution bars.

The importance of outfitting your
horse trailerand towing vehicle with the right equipment can’t be emphasized enough. The safety of you and your horse is first and foremost with Double D Trailers. If you have questions about your hitch setup or hitches in general, feel free to call us at 1-800-435-6274 or email us at sales@doubledtrailers.com.

And, keep an eye on your inbox for Double D’s upcoming weekly newsletters. We’ll be talking more about hitches, choosing towing vehicles, and lots of other useful stuff - so stay tuned.