Do You Need a Weight Distribution Hitch With a Dually Truck? 

In the world of towing trailers and campers, you’re likely to hear the terms dually and weight distribution hitch thrown around from time to time. These two terms mean completely different things, as one refers to the type of rear tires on a truck and the other is referring to a type of hitch. However, people often wonder if you can use the two together on the same rig. 

Dually trucks can tow travel trailers without a weight distribution hitch, but it is a good idea to still have one. Having dual wheels on each side of your axle will help with sway by adding more traction, but won’t always help with trailer sway like a properly set up weight distribution hitch.

Weight distribution hitches are a great asset when it comes to towing trailers or RVs. Whether you have a dually or any other type of truck, it can benefit from a weight distribution hitch. However, it isn’t technically a requirement depending on what you’re hauling. 

What is a Dually? 

A dually is any type of pickup truck that has two rear tires on each side of the truck rather than the traditional one. The addition of a second wheel on either side of the rear of the truck makes for added stability, payload, traction, and control. While you don’t necessarily have to use your dually for towing purposes, they often are because of the added stability and control. 

Does a 1 Ton Dually Need a Weight Distribution Hitch? 

While dually trucks certainly have advantages when it comes to towing, there’s still room for improvement. A 1-ton dually truck, for example, is one of the finest towing vehicles you can own. While you aren’t required to have a weight-distribution hitch installed on your 1-ton dually, it would certainly benefit from the addition. 

Benefits of Adding a WDH to a Dually 

• A smoother and more level ride 

The whole point of adding a weight-distribution hitch to a truck is so that the weight of whatever you’re towing gets distributed evenly throughout the towing vehicle. While duallys are stronger on the rear axles than single-tire trucks, they can still bow under the weight of a heavy trailer or camper. With a weight-distribution hitch, however, the tongue and towing weight of whatever you’re hauling won’t sit on the rear axles and hitch of your truck alone. 

Instead, it will distribute the weight evenly along the length of the vehicle. This will result in a smoother, more level towing experience. 

• Safety first 

In addition to smoothness on the road, a weight-distribution hitch on your dually will also make for a safer towing experience. Enhanced safety comes from the built-in stability bars that come standard on many types of weight-distribution hitches. This means that your truck will drive smoother, leveler, and safer, because your front tires will have more traction, and the breaks will react more effectively. 

• It helps with liability 

Depending on where you are in the country, there’s a good chance that a weight-distribution hitch is required on your truck. If you’re hauling anything that weighs half as much as your truck, WDHs are required. For example, if your dually weighs 8,000 pounds and you’re hauling anything heavier than 4,000 pounds, you should have a weight-distribution hitch. Not having one could make you liable if you’re involved in an accident while hauling a trailer or RV. 

Will a Dually Help With Trailer Sway?

While dually trucks have a lot of advantages over traditional towing vehicles, they don’t help with trailer sway. Trailer sway happens when the rear of the trailer or camper you’re towing weighs more than the towing vehicle. If you’re hauling a large camper or RV, there’s a good chance that the rear of it will weigh much more than your truck. 

Unfortunately, having a dually isn’t going to do anything to prevent the rear of the camper from swaying if there’s a strong wind or you happen to swerve a bit. The only way to prevent trailer sway is with a sway control system connected from the tongue of the camper to the hitch of your truck. Because many weight distribution hitches are accompanied by sway bars, they’re an excellent way to prevent trailer sway with your dually truck. 

Can I Tow Without a Weight Distribution Hitch? 

Technically speaking, you can always tow without a weight-distribution hitch regardless of if you have a dually or not. However, using a weight-distribution hitch with your dually will greatly enhance your towing experience. It will make things safer and smoother while you’re driving down the road. It will also keep the back end of your dually from sagging when the tongue weight of your trailer is too heavy for your truck to handle.