See full version: Who actually uses a weight distributing hitch
On a TT the tongue needs to have enough weight to avoid sway, and even if you get it to look level while parked, the transient forces when you hit a dip at 55mph may ruin your leaf springs on the rear axle. I would not recommend going without a WDH for sure! Plus if your steer axle is too light, the steering will feel very "watery" like that feeling on a bike when your tires are too low. more
Where I live I've seen thousands of people tow 8,000-10,000+ pound boats on a standard hitch. According to the Ford towing guide, anything above 5,000lbs requires a weight distributing hitch. Who actually uses one for 5,000+ pound loads? Who doesn't?
From what I have learned on these forums, boat trailers intentionally have light tongue weights and are not designed for WDH attach. Plus, I don't think WDHs are designed for submerging that you may need to do for launch.
So many car magazines have tons of tests and performance numbers but I can’t recall a single one mentioning towing. I would really like to see some empirical evidence on different setups and braking, slalom and skidpad numbers while towing to dispel any myths and hopefully improve safety for everyone on the road. [links]
It's important to remember that towing capacity is different than payload capacity, which deals with the weight of the vehicle itself, plus any fluids, passengers, and cargo. It's also good to note that most vehicles, even today's gas pickup trucks, need to be properly equipped before they're able to tow anything, trailer or otherwise. Many vehicles, such as the Tesla Model Y on our list, require a towing package, which adds a hitch and other hardware, as well as software patches to handle the strain that towing puts on the vehicle.
Towing Capacity: 11,000 pounds
Rivian captured everyone's attention with big investments from Ford, Amazon, and others, but it will also be one of the first companies to deliver an electric pickup truck when the first units land in late 2021. The R1T is a compelling electric truck with supercar acceleration, legitimate off-road chops, and the ability to tow up to 11,000 pounds, which puts it on par with some of the best full-size trucks available today. Making things even better for Rivian buyers, the company's R1S SUV will sport much of the same capability and a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds.
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Towing Capacity: 2,200 pounds
The Volkswagen ID.4 isn't the most powerful vehicle on our list, but it's got just enough capability to get the job done for folks wanting to pull a small trailer or boat. The ID.4's tow rating of 2,200 pounds may not be all that impressive, but its price tag, upscale interior, and clever features make it a compelling choice among small electric crossovers. The ID.4 also gets a slew of advanced driver aids, many of which are standard, as well as a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation.
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There are a few options from RAM Trucks in the 1500 segment when choosing a pickup for towing. more
A Toyota Tundra (with tow package) Limited with 5.7L V8 4X2 with 6’5″ box max towing is 10,100 lbs. here
From the Chevy Silverado line-up, a 1500 with the 6.2L V8, Double Cab, 4X4 with standard box (6.58′ box) and 3.42 axle ratio . Conventional towing capacity is up to 12,200 lbs. more
RAM 2500 Laramie Longhorn. Photo: RAM. here
It’s also offset by the fact that diesel engines typically cost more than their gasoline counterparts.
I once spent a very tense 45-minutes in a mini-golf parking lot waiting for a wind storm to pass, rather than risk skidding across three lanes of traffic!
When it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it, just how much your F-150 can tow will depend on the model and the trim package. more
Some are technically correct, while others are closer to being metaphors than they are statistics.