Recommended Weight Distribution System With Sway Control For Towing Camper

Question:

We will be towing a small camper, 14foot Carson Rebel, dry tongue weight 450lbs, dry trailer weight 3,200lbs with a 3/4 ton GMC Sierra pickup, 6foot bed and factory tow package. What type of weight distribution/sway control hitch would you recommend for towing in windy conditions on highways. We want to lose as little ground clearance as possible. Thank you, PS I dont know what the loaded trailer or truck weight will be, but expect to be putting most of our food/supplies in the back of the truck under a camper shell.

asked by: Letha

Expert Reply:

The best way to determine what weight distribution system to choose is by knowing what the tongue weight is when the trailer is fully loaded and ready to tow. You would need the tongue weight of your camper when it is fully loaded added to the weight of any gear you place behind the rear axle of your truck.

After everything is loaded and you find that the tongue weight is about 600 lbs, I recommend the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System, part # RP66559. This is a trunnion system and includes a sway control system that helps stop sway when facing high winds and passing traffic. This system features no-drill clamp-on brackets that can be adjusted along the trailer frame so there is room for any items you want to attach to the trailer frame like toolboxes, gas tanks, or generators. This system also includes an adjustable shank.

This system works with tongue weight between 500 and 1,000 lbs, and has a gross towing weight capacity of 10,000 lbs.

You will also need a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank like part # A-90 for a 2 inch ball and part # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch ball.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L