RV Terms Glossary: Letter "W"

WEIGHT CARRYING

A towing situation whereby all of the tongue weight is carried directly on the rear of the tow vehicle and on the hitch.

WEIGHT CARRYING HITCH

The most basic and common hitch for light and medium weights. A Weight-Carrying hitch uses a hitch ball mounted to a draw bar or a step-bumper and supports the trailer tongue weight just as though it were cargo located at the ball.

French: Attelage simple

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING

A towing situation whereby some of the tongue weight is redistributed by use of a weight distributing attachment through the vehicles chassis from the rear to the front.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH

This hitch is used for heavy trailering. With its equalizing bars and snap-up brackets, this hitch applies leverage between the tow vehicle and the trailer to help distribute trailer's Tongue Weight evenly to vehicle and trailer instead of carrying the load mostly on the rear of the vehicle. The brackets and spring bars raise the hitch point parallel to the ground, equalizing the load onto all axles. This results in a more level ride, reduced weight on the rear suspension, and provides improved steering and braking control.

French: Attelage répartiteur de charge

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

A hitch system built around a receiver hitch, which includes supplemental equipment such as spring bar that work to distribute trailer tongue loads to the trailer axle(s) and the tow vehicle front axle. Use of weight distribution system enhances handling and braking and increases trailer towing capacity beyond what is recommended when a weight carrying hitch is used.

WET WEIGHT

Weight of a vehicle with full fuel and freshwater tanks.

French: Poids à plein

WHEELBASE

Distance between center lines of the primary axles of a vehicle. If a motorhome includes a tag axle, the distance is measured from the front axle to the center point between the drive and tag axles.

French: Empattement

WIDE BODY

The term for an RV exceeding the normal eight feet wide. Wide bodies are usually 102” (8’6”).

French: Large corps