From the Imagine Owner's Manual, page 72:

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Howard

Yup found it in my manual.
I still think it adds additional stress on the frame and suspension that the trailer wasn’t designed for. Just my mechanic’s mind logic.
Some food for thought though, is the additional weight put on the frame and suspension from a WD hitch part of the trailer GVWR? That weight can change drastically from a 1 ton truck to an SUV towing the same trailer. 🤔
Rich

Not sure what kind of information you are looking for with this post. WD hitches have been used for years with no ill effect on tow vehicle or trailer. I tried one time towing our previous TT without and it was a less than stellar experience.

Brian

Weight distributing hitches do not add or subtract from the hitch weight carried by the receiver on the tow vehicle. They are a means to move some of the load between the trailer cup and the tow vehicle ball, back to the trailer suspension and forward to the tow vehicle front suspension. This does not affect the GVW of the trailer, but does affect how this weight is distributed. In most cases, moving weight that would be carried primarily by the rear axle of the truck, to the front axle of the truck and the suspension of the trailer, improves truck balance and steering feel.

Rob

The receiver hitch on your truck will likely have two ratings - one for max tongue weight with distribution, another for max tongue weight without distribution. The latter will be notably less.

The trailers are designed to have weight distribution hitches used with them. Concerning your specific truck, it may not need one, but you might find it handles better with some of the tongue weight moved to the front axle.

Spot on!

Mike

I am well aware of that. My truck is a 3/4 ton with a 2.5 inch class 5 hitch. The trailer tongue weight is under the max rating without a WD hitch.
Rich

It tows fine as is.
Rich

Here is the weight rating sticker for the receiver hitch on my 2016 Ford F350.



When using the 2-1/2" receiver, I was limited to 850 pounds of tongue weight without a weight distributing hitch. But I could tow up to 1900# with the WD hitch. Frequently, I'd be around 1400 to 1500 pounds when towing our Reflection 297RSTS.

I know some other owners who tow small imagines with 3/4 ton or larger trucks without using WD hitches. One of the key factors for me is headlight position. If I hook up and the headlights are pointing too high, it indicates too much weight on the back of the truck which a WD hitch can address.

Jim

It is apparent you think you don't need it, but you do. The folks that know have made that evident. above Not sure how you have that hitch without the bars. Their not that expensive or do you not have the trailer fittings either? If you can barrow a set and scale your truck. Scale your truck, both without the bars and with the bars and post the truck front axle loading. With a light front end you may have difficulty maintaining control in one of those OOP'S situation's or high winds. Years ago I towed a Wilderness trailer with a F250. Was told did not need them by the RV dealer. Most towing was great, but had an idiot try to drive into my front bumper merging on I70. I hit the brakes hard to avoid contact and almost lost control. (trailer did go sideways) .I put the equalizer hitch on it - set up by the hitch shop and had a similar event happen a bit later - no issues on control then.

Or could the reason be your concerned with having issues hooking up? I can assure you once adjusted it only takes a few extra minutes. Now one last thought GD per the sticker indicates the bars/sway control "should be used". They would not say that if they did not design for it. Also if you do have an accident and don't have them, there could be legal or ticket issues. You never know nowadays.

Safe travels
Keith

I have the bars just don’t use them. The dealer had the hitch set up so I had to literally lift the truck rear wheels off the ground to engage and disengage the bars. I know that’s not right. I removed 2 washers and the hitch head sits at a reasonable angle now.
Rich

Yeah, that doesn't sound right at all.

JIm

Don’t think front end weight is an issue. It has around 6,000lbs on the front axle.
Also “should use” is a suggestion, not a mandate. Doubtful any law suit or ticket based on that would hold water. Your trailer went sideways probably due to the tires skidding which is a loss of traction. Most likely the gain was set too high. The truck and trailer should brake as a team, neither one out powering the other.
Rich