What type of hitch applies leverage between the tow vehicle and trailer, sharing tongue weight among all wheels?

A weight-distributing hitch is designed specifically to apply leverage between the tow vehicle and the trailer, which helps distribute the tongue weight across all of the vehicle's wheels. This is particularly beneficial because it prevents the rear of the tow vehicle from sagging and ensures that the front axle maintains steering and braking control by keeping the load more evenly balanced.

In practice, a weight-distributing hitch uses spring bars that attach to the trailer's hitch, allowing the weight to be redistributed rearward and forward, effectively sharing the load. This setup tends to improve handling and stability while driving, which enhances safety, especially when towing larger loads.

Other types of hitches, such as fixed-drawbar hitches and flatbed hitches, do not offer this load distribution mechanism, meaning they do not alleviate the strain on the tow vehicle’s suspension as effectively. Weighted hitches might involve added weight for stability but do not function by redistributing the trailer’s weight across the vehicle's wheels like a weight-distributing hitch does. By understanding these mechanics, it becomes clear why a weight-distributing hitch is the appropriate choice for effectively managing tongue weight and improving driving dynamics.