Weight Distribution with Sway Control and Brake Controller for a 2007 Chevy Tahoe and Car Hauler

Question:

I tow a steel car hauler behind my 2007 Tahoe on a 2 1/4 ball on an adjustable height hitch. Will a weight Distribution kit help stabalize the trailer when braking and down hill on curves? And, will it stop the lurching? The trailer is approx 22 - 24 in length. If so, which kit do you recommend and whats involved in installation. Trailer has electric brakes that I have an adjuster box mounted under dash. Is there a system that would give me progressive braking that I can just replace my box with? My friend told me about his system that pulses. Not sure how this works, either. Please advise.

asked by: Jay B

Expert Reply:

Adding a weight distribution and sway control system to your 2007 Chevy Tahoe will help with the stability problems you are experiencing. The correct system depends on the tongue weight of the trailer when it is loaded. Your trailer tongue weight should be about in the middle of the tongue weight capacity of the system you choose. So if your trailers tongue weight is 1,200 pounds, you will want a system with a 700 to 1,400 pound range.

An example of a system in this range is the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System with Shank, # RP66561. It has a gross trailer weight capacity of 14,000 pounds. You can then use hitch ball # A-90 (2 inch diameter), or # 19286 (2-5/16 inch diameter, this is probably what your current ball is).

You could install a proportional brake controller. These brake controllers activate the trailer brakes proportional to how much braking the tow vehicle is doing. For your trailer, I recommend the Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller, # 90195. It has a lot of adjustability in terms of the type of load you are carrying. I have included a link to the installation details below. Since you already are using a brake controller, the wiring is already ran. You will just need to splice the wires on the brake controller to the wiring connected to your existing brake controller on the Tahoe. I have included a link to an FAQ on brake controllers below.

To help with stability while traveling down hills, you should use the manual override, applying the trailer brakes lightly, to keep the trailer from pushing against the Tahoe. This will help to straighten up the trailer with the Tahoe and make traversing hill roads much safer. That is why it is important to mount the brake controller in an easily accessible location.

expert reply by: Michael H