Ride Quality with a Weight Distribution System for a 23 Foot Airstream 450 Pound TW, 4,000 Pound GTW

Question:

I am also considering this product for a 23 foot Puma at 4000lbs with about 450lb tongue weight. The response said this would be good for the weight, but the ride might be stiff. Can you define that? We are making a 5 week, 7000+ mile trip with our camper this summer and want it to be as stress free as possible

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

The tongue weight of the trailer you will be towing is the factor used to determine the proper size weight distribution system to use. The best ride and weight distribution qualities will be seen when your tongue weight falls into the middle of the weight distribution systems tongue weight rating. If you choose a system that your tongue weight falls into the lower part of the tongue weight rating the ride may be a bit stiff due to the stiffness of the spring bars. By stiff ride we are saying that the stiffer spring bars may make the ride a bit rougher similar to driving a heavy duty truck with no weight in the bed, when more weight is added the ride smooths out quite a bit.

In your case I would recommend the Reese Round Bar Strait-Line Hitch with Shank 600 lbs. TW / 10,000 lbs. GTW which has a tongue weight capacity of 200 to 600 pounds, item # 66086. Your tongue weight falls into the middle of this systems spring bar rating and will provide the smoothest ride possible while towing the trailer on your trip.

If you think that you may upgrade to a larger trailer in the future you may want to consider the larger Reese Round Bar Strait-Line Hitch with Shank 800 lbs. TW / 10,000 lbs. GTW, item # 66087, which will give you more capacity for the upgrade. With the # 66086, 600 lb., system you could always just replace the spring bars, to upgrade the system for a larger trailer if needed also.

expert reply by: Robert G