Recommended Weight Distribution Hitch for 8000 lb Enclosed Car Hauler

Question:

Brand new to trailering. Heres info on truck, trailer, cargo and application: Truck: 2011 Ram 2500 Diesel class IV receiver trailer brake control 6foot box diesel exhaust brake 4x2. Trailer: InTech 24foot, flat front 5200# Dexter torsion axles electric brakes safety chains 2 5/16inch ball coupler 5000# manual jack. I think the trailer is going to be 2800-3200 pounds. Purchasing from Becker Trailers. Cargo: car approx 17.5foot long, 4500-5200 pounds. Empty, the top of the truck receiver is 19.5inch off the ground the bottom of the trailer coupler is 17inch off the ground. Tongue weight: I have no idea. The car is still being built and I dont have the trailer yet. Application: car hauler, maybe 10-12 times a year only. I am in Texas, will be picking up empty trailer in Wisconsin, loading a car with no engine in Minnesota, taking it to Oregon. Next use will be completed car from Oregon to Texas. So you see, I need to know what weight-distributing system and shank to buy and how difficult it will be to install far from home, what tools Ill need when I pick up the trailer. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Craig H

Expert Reply:

To choose the correct weight distribution set-up for your application, you'll need to first determine the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer. To that figure, add the weight of any gear stowed in the truck bed behind the rear axle. I've linked to an FAQ article that explains how to do this. These combined figures comprise the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of your set-up. The TTW of your trailer should fall as close as possible to the middle of the effective range of the weight distribution system you choose.

Adding the max weight of the trailer, 3200 lbs and the max weight of the cargo, 5200 lbs gives the likely maximum weight of the trailer, 8400 lbs. Since a trailer's tongue weight is usually 10-15 percent of its fully loaded weight, I'll guess that at most the trailer tongue weight would be around 1200 lbs.

Given that, I'd recommend the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distrubution w/ Sway Control, part # RP66130. This system is recommended for trailers with tongue weights ranging from 800-1500 lbs. The system uses the Dual-Cam sway control system that will prevent sway from occurring before it can start. If I've shot a bit high on the tongue weight, and you determine that it's around 1000 lbs, I'd go with the next-lowest rated system, the # RP66074 that you mentioned.

Neither system includes the weight distributing shank or the 2-5/16 inch trailer ball. For a Class IV hitch, choose a shank with a 2x2 inch shank like part # RP54970. Use # 19286 for a trailer ball.

This is my best guesstimate given the information you provided. You'll need basic hand tools and a drill to install the system. If you use the instruction links I've provided, you can see an exact list of what you'll need.