I can't seem to find an answer to this question anywhere so i thought i would ask.

My trailer has a tongue weight of 415lbs and weighs approximately 7,300lbs. My tow hitch is rated for 600lbs/5,000lbs (Weight Carrying) and 1,000lbs/10,000lbs with a WD Hitch.

Is a WD Hitch needed if the tongue weight is under the weight carrying capacity rating? My understanding is that a WD Hitch distributes the tongue weight among both axles and therefore would assume a WD Hitch would not be necessary.

What are your thoughts?

You need to get a Class V hitch.

What is the tow vehicle?

You might find some explainations and illustrations to your questions in this recent thread; starting after post 30
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/t...4x4-srw-2.html

A weight distributing hitch negates the surge brakes on a boat trailer so that is not an option. Plus they are an additional, clunky piece that is more expensive than just getting a stronger hitch on your vehicle.

Your hitch is too weak based on the 5k gtw of weight carrying.
Dont forget to have a proper weight rating of the ball mount and ball. weakest link........
you can get some idea of options here - http://www.curtmfg.com/

You need to upgrade the hitch or use a WD setup. Also, your tongue weight seems a little light. From what I've seen, you want about 10-12% of your trailer's weight on the tongue. I had a new trailer that they didn't design it with enough tongue weight and it was scary to tow (and dangerous). They took it back and moved all the axles further back.

I agree, this is an example of a trailer with too much weight behind the axles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5N4Hg97_40

I would inch that boat forward, or have the axles moved back

Thanks for the replies. It appears a new hitch is required for my setup.

This is not correct. I have used this for many years and works great.

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/produc...patibility.php

Weight distributing hitch, surge brakes, and the like has been discussed about a trillion times here on OSO. You CAN use WD hitches with surge brakes, BUT, it must be setup correctly.

My full line quote.....

Yes, there is one WD product that surge brakes can function but for most boat towing applications, it is probably not the most effective tow solution.

Equi costs $450-$600 delivered vs. less than $200 for a 15K/1,500# weight carrying 2" hitch
Set up takes longer than most hitch replacements
Is large, clunky.
Tow unit specific - towing any other trailer not also rigged with Equi brackets, OP is still limited to 5k.

As noted above; If there are sway issues, load placement and axle location should be checked first otherwise WD is more of a band-aid than soltuion especially for most boats.
If it was a 32' bumper toy hauler, my opinion and priority may change but not for the situation as OP has described (and not responded back)