Weight Distribution Hitch for a C-Channel A-Frame Aluminum Horse Trailer

Question:

i have a 2015 Lexus GX460 with a 2015 4-Star 2-horse slant Runabout horse trailer. This trailer is a bumper pull with an aluminum A-frame and c-channel in the front. I have good towing and anti-sway control when I tow one horse, tack, and feed. I am legally required to install a weight distribution hitch to tow between 5000 and 6500 pounds, per Lexus. My horse trailer has a 7000 GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and is designed to carry 20 of the weight on the tongue and 80 on the axles. The dry weight of my trailer is 2850#. I am good with my ball-mount hitch with P3 Electric Brake Controller when hauling one horse, all related tack, and feed. Approximate total weight of 4000 #. But now I need to add my second horse which adds about another 1000#, putting me right at the 5000# break-point. To ensure compliance, which WD hitch with/without sway control that allows backing up and is compatible with the P3 electric brake controller do you recommend whose installation does not require drilling into, and hence, potentially compromising the aluminum A-frame with C-Channel posts?

asked by: Diane

Expert Reply:

You are going to first need to contact the manufacturer of your horse trailer and ask if a weight distribution system is recommended. Sometimes aluminum trailer frames can be used with a WD, and sometimes it is not recommended.

Also, you will need to ask about drilling into the frame of the trailer for the installation of the frame bracket. Due to the nature of your trailer frame there is no way to attach brackets to the side of the frame without drilling.

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.

If your trailer will have 20 percent of it's weight as tongue weight then you would be looking at 1,000 lbs of tongue weight when loaded. The part # RP66084 would be your best option for that tongue weight and features the only sway control on the market that works to prevent sway before it starts.

For brackets you will also need the part # RP58305.

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