Recommended Weight Distribution System for 24-Foot V-Nose Trailer with Limited Clearance  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

You want to choose a weight distribution (WD) system so that your trailer's fully-loaded tongue weight (TW) plus the weight of anything in the truck that sits behind the rear axle, like a generator or loaded cooler, falls into the middle of its operating range. Say your loaded TW is 1000-lbs and you have a 100-lb generator in the back of the truck; in this case you'll want a system like the Reese Strait-Line # RP66130 that is rated for TW from 800- to 1500-lbs. You can refer to the linked article on TW for more information on TW.

This system's trunnion spring bar lift brackets need to mount about 30-inches rear of the hitch ball. If your V-nose trailer does not allow this you may be able to use different lift brackets, part # RP58305 which are bolt-on and fit frames up to 2-1/4-inches wide, or part # RP58306 which are clamp-on and that fit a frame up to 6-1/2-inches tall and 2-3/4-inches wide. The bolt-on hangers often work in cases with limited front clearance at the nose of the trailer. You'll just need to measure from your hitch ball back to see if you have room for the chain brackets.

If you have room to install the Reese system # RP66130 you'll just need to add an adjustable shank like # RP54970 and a hitch ball like # C40086.

The Pro Series WD system # PS49583 that you referenced also requires its lift brackets be centered on the frame about 30-31-inches from the hitch ball. You can use the Reese bolt on brackets with this system too.

expert reply by: Adam R

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