Will a Weight Distribution System Allow a Vehicle to Tow Trailer Heavier than what It's Rated For

Question:

I have a 2012 tundra with a 9700 lb max tow weight and a 970 lb tongue weight. I have a 36 foot holiday trailer with a dry weight of 7500lbs and a tongue weight of 990lbs. With equalizer bars is it safe to tow the trailer? I dont want to break anything. By How much does the equalizer bars reduce the amount of weight on the tongue of the hitch? Is it more than the truck was designed for? It certainly doesnt have any trouble pulling it.

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

The only way a weight distribution system is going to allow you to tow your trailer that has more tongue weight than what your vehicle is rated for is if the vehicle/hitch has a second higher tongue weight capacity for when use with a WD system.

Otherwise there is not way to tow your trailer safely.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

The part # PS49583 would work for your trailer has it can work on tongue weights that are up to 1,000 lbs.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C