Recommended Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for 30-foot 6900-Lb Travel Trailer

Question:

Hi! I just purchased a 30 foot ravel trailer with a dry weight of 6900, tongue of 750. Looking for a highly dependable safest setup. I will be towing with a 1/2 ton truck tundra. What would you recommend? Thx.

asked by: Ed

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution (WD) system should be chosen based on the trailer and vehicle total tongue weight (TTW). This is a combination of the actual measured tongue weight of the fully-loaded road-ready trailer plus the weight of anything in the pickup that sits behind the rear axle, such as a generator or loaded cooler. The linked article offers ways to measure trailer TW which include a scale like the handy etrailer # 99044. A general article on WD systems is also linked for you.

If the WD system's bars are not stiff enough they will not move the trailer TW forward onto the truck's front axle as they should; if too stiff they can result in a jumpy and erratic ride quality from the trailer. Ideally your TTW will fall into the middle of the system's operating range. Also, since your trailer is a 30-footer I do suggest you choose a system with built-in sway control, such as the Blue Ox SwayPro # BXW1000 that you referenced.

If your trailer dry hitch weight is in the 750-lb range, then once it is loaded, you're likely to be in the range of 1000-lbs TW. You can use the link provided to select your total TW figure and the type of brakes on your trailer, electric or surge, to then see suitable systems for your trailer.

Let's say you have a 2-inch hitch, electric brakes and a total TW of 1000-lbs. In this case the best system we offer is the Reese Strait-Line # RP66084. This advanced system allows you to back up the trailer and includes the shank portion so all you need to add is a hitch ball # 19286 for a 2-5/16-inch size or part # A-90 for a 2-inch ball. A review video is linked for you.