I am going to tow a 24 foot travel trailer here pretty soon. I am renting it and I have been told by some people that I should use a weight distributing hitch. Do I really need one for a 24 foot travel trailer?

 

yes

 

And a brake controller.

 

YES YES AND YES, you need a WD hitch, one with a sway control and a brake controller. That's a long heavy trailer not to have these things.

 

Camping World is a good place if you are a member of the Presidents Club or etrailer.com. There are lots of places on the net to get them. Check out www.rv.net for more information.

 

I have been looking at these WD hitches and they are $250+! I am ordering the brake controller for $89 but I refuse to spend $250-$300 on a WD hitch for a one time use. Its just not going to happen. I hope this rental place has them there for rent. If not I am towing this thing with just the brake controller. The part of Texas I am driving through is VERY flat and I do not plan on going over 65mph. Plus this trailer is slightly under 4000lbs so it isnt that heavy.

 

You do not need WD under 5000# gross trailer weight and under 500# tongue weight. Read the max ratings on your hitch receiver to confirm.

 

Ahhhh. Thats good news. I think this trailer is about 3800lbs empty. I should be fine then.

 

If you were going to be making a habit of towing something like that, it would be a good investment. However, for a one time rental for one vacation, not necessary unless it's heavier than the standard load rating for your hitch. Be careful how you load it, or you could exceed the max gross and/or max tongue weight. Ideal tongue weight is 12% of the gross.

 

I was at hooters having lunch with some people from the office and we got into a conversation about towing. It turns out a guy at work has a WD hitch and is going to let me use it.