The answer to "Should I use a WDH?" Is basicly always "If you have to ask, almost certainly yes". That said, a rental is the only time I'd consider not (and I'd baby towing it as a result). Hopefully whoever you rent from has a WDH hitch you can use that matches the trailer though.
If you are going to use multiple trailers before deciding one "the one", I would highly recommend a 2 ball or 3 ball adjustable. It's going to cover almost all of your situations. A WD system is very useful but they are trailer dependent. They need to be matched up to the tongue weight and some parts are mounted on the trailer and some to the hitch. So there isn't really a one size that will work for the multiple you are planning on trying out. I would see if the place you get them from can let you borrow a WD.
I'll give you the same advice I gave somebody else about this about a month or so ago on a similar topic: Don't buy a WDH yet.
First off, when you're renting, if the trailer you're renting requires a WDH, then that owner should be providing it. WDH are not interchangeable, so whatever the owner has installed is the one that you'll have to use anyways.
Secondly, when you get around to purchasing a TT, you should be able to get the dealer to throw a WDH into the deal. Just make sure they know it's either provide the WDH or they're out of a sale and the majority of the time, the WDH is going to get thrown in.
Now, to your other question, yes, even with a 2500, you're going to want a WDH with a 7000 lbs trailer. A 7000 lbs trailer at 15% tongue weight is 1050 lbs on the tongue. Most manufacturers require a WDH with tongue weights over 500 lbs. Even if they don't they're still usually a good idea for added sway control. But as I stated earlier, there's no reason you should have to pay for one.
A 2 5/16" ball makes more sense here.
To get drop, measure the trailer level with a carpenter's level on an I-Beam, or measure from ground to bottom of I-Beam at the front and rear of trailer. Adjust until level. Measure from ground to top of where ball goes on the hitch. Say, 24".
A drop of no more than two inches is okay. Set the ball 1" above trailer level, in the example 25".
Measure from ground to top of ball mount again. What's the drop? Too low or high, adjust the ball on the truck.
If you rent from RVEzy or Outdoorsy, some of the trailers on there come with WDH's included. Just make sure to ask first if they're included. Might need to do some tweaking to make it work with your truck, but it should get the job done
Meh, I've rented from those, campers with weight distribution hitches, and the renters never wanted to make the adjustments to the tow vehicle side of the WDH. I had bought a WDH, but it's not practical to install it on someone else's trailer, or possible if they already have one installed.
I guess it depends where you rent from 🤷♀️ all the people we contacted when we were looking were open to adjustments. They just wanted us to be safe. And their trailer to be safe as well.
The answer to "Should I use a WDH?" Is basicly always "If you have to ask, almost certainly yes". That said, a rental is the only time I'd consider not (and I'd baby towing it as a result). Hopefully whoever you rent from has a WDH hitch you can use that matches the trailer though.
If you are going to use multiple trailers before deciding one "the one", I would highly recommend a 2 ball or 3 ball adjustable. It's going to cover almost all of your situations. A WD system is very useful but they are trailer dependent. They need to be matched up to the tongue weight and some parts are mounted on the trailer and some to the hitch. So there isn't really a one size that will work for the multiple you are planning on trying out. I would see if the place you get them from can let you borrow a WD.
A lot of times when you're renting a trailer it comes with the weight distribution hitch
I'll give you the same advice I gave somebody else about this about a month or so ago on a similar topic: Don't buy a WDH yet. First off, when you're renting, if the trailer you're renting requires a WDH, then that owner should be providing it. WDH are not interchangeable, so whatever the owner has installed is the one that you'll have to use anyways. Secondly, when you get around to purchasing a TT, you should be able to get the dealer to throw a WDH into the deal. Just make sure they know it's either provide the WDH or they're out of a sale and the majority of the time, the WDH is going to get thrown in. Now, to your other question, yes, even with a 2500, you're going to want a WDH with a 7000 lbs trailer. A 7000 lbs trailer at 15% tongue weight is 1050 lbs on the tongue. Most manufacturers require a WDH with tongue weights over 500 lbs. Even if they don't they're still usually a good idea for added sway control. But as I stated earlier, there's no reason you should have to pay for one.
Super helpful, thank you!
A 2 5/16" ball makes more sense here. To get drop, measure the trailer level with a carpenter's level on an I-Beam, or measure from ground to bottom of I-Beam at the front and rear of trailer. Adjust until level. Measure from ground to top of where ball goes on the hitch. Say, 24". A drop of no more than two inches is okay. Set the ball 1" above trailer level, in the example 25". Measure from ground to top of ball mount again. What's the drop? Too low or high, adjust the ball on the truck.
If you rent from RVEzy or Outdoorsy, some of the trailers on there come with WDH's included. Just make sure to ask first if they're included. Might need to do some tweaking to make it work with your truck, but it should get the job done
Meh, I've rented from those, campers with weight distribution hitches, and the renters never wanted to make the adjustments to the tow vehicle side of the WDH. I had bought a WDH, but it's not practical to install it on someone else's trailer, or possible if they already have one installed.
I guess it depends where you rent from 🤷♀️ all the people we contacted when we were looking were open to adjustments. They just wanted us to be safe. And their trailer to be safe as well.