How much WD bar do you need?

[boatpuller]

WD bars used to be for leveling up a truck/car and trailer when it would squat due to too much tongue weight. But, my truck rides even with the trailer without them, even though the total weight of the trailer and the tongue itself suggest WD bars should be used. So, how strong should the WD bars be when they are not actually raising the back of the truck? If the tongue weighs 1000lbs, do you need 1000lb WD bars, or would 750lb or 550lb be enough to stay within Mfg's requirements as the extra tongue weight is well in the WC limits set by the factory?

Keep in mind, the truck and trailer are already level without the bars, and this is more for controling the bucking motion when going on uneven roads.

[powerpit]

when i got my set up. from dealer they went off trailer 850 on toung. they sold me 1000 pound wd. and with out wd your still over wieght on rescever hitch.

[Barneys]

If you have a tongue weight of anything much over 400-500lbs then you should be using WD bars. Most receivers are only rated for 500lbs weight carrying ability. Some are a bit higher.
The other reason for using the WD is to keep your front axle from unloading. Even though your truck does not "squat" when hooked up, you are still pivoting a considerable weight off the front of your truck and this can affect handling and steering and even possibly wearing of the components.
If you have a 1000lb tongue weight, you should be using 1200lb or 1400lb bars. You would never want to use bars rated for less than your tongue weight.
Barney

[housted]

I used to be a Hitchpro with Drawtite. We always tried to match the tongue weight to the WD bars. Slightly over is ok under is not. Way over is just as bad, it will cause the setup to be very stiff and put undo stress on the receiver.