Determining Total Effective Tongue Weight for Selection of Weight Distribution System

Question:

When you are calculating expected tongue weight do you also add the weight of the WD Hitch? It makes sense to do so but I would like a experts answer as I have not seen this addressed anywhere else. I have not bought the trailer yet and was going to estimate the hitch needed by adding Mfg. dry tongue weight, 40lb for propane, WD Hitch weight, weight behind the TV axle and 15 of expected added TT luggage. Does that sound about right?

asked by: Bob

Expert Reply:

When you are calculating your loaded trailer's tongue weight (TW) for selecting a weight distribution (WD) system you do NOT have to manually add in the weight of the WD system itself. You are correct that anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle has to be added to the measured TW of the fully-loaded trailer. A loaded cooler would be a good example of an item in the rear of the tow vehicle that adds to effective TW.

The best way to go is to use a dedicated scale like the etrailer # e99044 to measure the trailer's actual loaded TW with all tanks filled and supplies and cargo loaded. Other methods for measuring are outlined in the linked article. To this you'll add the weight of items in the tow vehicle that sit behind the rear axle. This Total Effective TW figure will be what will guide your selection of a WD system.

Ideally your total effective TW falls right in the middle of the system's operating range. A link to our main page for WD systems is included for you. Just click on the total TW, your hitch size and the type of brakes you have on your trailer to see compatible systems.

For a 1000-lb TW, 2-inch hitch and electric brakes I recommend the Reese Strait-Line System # RP66084. All you need to add to this system is the hitch ball, either 2-inch ball # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch ball # 19286.