Towing - Weight Distribution Hitch...?

[Throbber]

Hi All,
First post so be gentle with me...

I have a 2006 D3 Petrol and tow a 2008 Jayco Expander 16.49.2. I am looking to add a bike rack to carry 4 bikes and one solution is based on mounting a custom rack to the rear of the van. The post (on another forum) suggests the following:
"If you choose to attempt to make a bike rack make sure you first purchase a weight distribution hitch, this will remove the weight of the bike rack at the rear and evenly distribute the weight throughout the length of the van."

Will I need to do this given the adjustable air suspension on the disco, or am I missing the point?

Cheers
Jon

[101RRS]

WDH must not be used on air suspended discos. It is in the handbook.

Garry

[TerryO]

Despite it being in the handbook if it has air then seriously you don't need a WDH on your D3, they tow extremely well without one, even up to towing 3.5 ton vans. Old school coil suspension especially on vehicles with long overhangs usually does need a WDH for towing any van, even small ones.

By the way welcome to the forum, you will find lots of useful information and helpful people on here that will assist greatly with owning a D3.

cheers,
Terry

[PaulGOz]

I have a camper trailer that mounts the bikes on the drawbar. I would avoid putting weight out the back it will make the whole rig less stable. You would be nowhere near a D3/4 limits on tow ball weight so go the drawbar. They are a very capable tow vehicle so either way you should be ok it may be worth weighing tow ball downforce which you mayvbe able to do with domestic scales to get an idea of where things currently sit when loaded.

[ADMIRAL]

I have a camper trailer that mounts the bikes on the drawbar. I would avoid putting weight out the back it will make the whole rig less stable. You would be nowhere near a D3/4 limits on tow ball weight so go the drawbar. They are a very capable tow vehicle so either way you should be ok it may be worth weighing tow ball downforce which you mayvbe able to do with domestic scales to get an idea of where things currently sit when loaded.

Ditto - I would avoid adding weight to the extremities. It creates a pendulum effect when moving over uneven ground, or in crosswinds, and does exert forces far greater than the weight used, simply because of the location.

Ideally, extra weight is better over the axles. In the real world, this is not always practical. If you have to do something, keep it as light as possible.

[ADMIRAL]

Just read a post on Bike Carriers ' Mountain Bike Carrier ' a few posts on from yours. Has more ideas on bike racks. Worth a look.