Which Spring Bars Would be Best 600 lb or 800 lb For Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 and Starcraft Hybrid Antiqua

Question:

Truck: Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Camper: Starcraft Antiqua 195CK Hybrid A friend is giving me a Reese wdh that has trunnion spring bars rated at 1200lb tongue weight that he used to pull a 8000 lb 35 ft travel trailer. My camper weighs approx 3300 lbs empty and has a tongue weight approx 350 lbs empty, per the Starcraft website, and I have been towing without a wdh, and my truck sags when camper is loaded and truck bed is loaded. When I hitch up empty camper and truck w/ 1200 lb bars, the truck levels out, but rides stiff and if you jump on the back bumper, it doesnt move, and that is only using the 1st link of the chain! When we camp, Ill probably have 400 lbs of gear in the bed of the truck, plus more gear in the camper. Should I get the 600 or 800 lbs trunnion bars to improve ride quality? Thanks.

asked by: Ryan H

Expert Reply:

When determining the correct spring bars for your trailer you will need to take into account the weight of gear loaded behind the rear axle of the truck and the additional tongue weight loaded in the camper.

I believe larger is better but in your case the 1,200 pound bars are too stiff if they are causing the ride to be uncomfortable. I would go with the 800 pound spring bars, item # RP22225, since you will have gear behind the rear axle and gear to load into the camper.

With 350 pounds of dry tongue weight you will be over 400 pounds quickly and by the time you are loaded and ready to travel will most likely be approaching the mid range weight capacity of the spring bars, 800 pounds, which is right where you want to be for a smooth ride and safety.

If you load your truck and trailer ready to travel and take it to a scale you will be able to determine the actual tongue weight and would then be able to make the best decision based on the actual tongue weight loaded and ready to travel. I believe you will find that the 800 pound spring bars will serve you well. We have an article (see link) that explains how to measure tongue weight also.

The number of links that the spring bar chains are hooked up with can be adjusted by changing the angle of the weight distribution head. If you are at the 1st link or longest setting of the chain you should angle the W/D head up towards the vehicle so that you are using 5 to 6 links from the top of the spring bar u-bolt. If there are less than 5 links angle the head rearward away from the vehicle. I have supplied instructions for you to review below.

expert reply by: Robert G