Weight Distribution and Sway Prevention for 25-Foot Airstream Towed by 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee  

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The Class IV hitch on your 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 4WD has enough towing capacity (10K according to Jeep) for your 5300-lb Airstream trailer without you having to reinforce it. The online owner's manual for your Grand Cherokee does indicate on page 526 that a weight distribution (WD) system is required when trailer weight exceeds 5000-lbs as it does in your case. We can help you choose a suitable system that includes both weight distribution AND sway prevention functions for the best handling.

The key to choosing a WD system is knowing your total effective tongue weight. You'll want to measure your trailer's TW when it is fully loaded with all supplies and gear, just as it will be when you head out on the road. You can use as simple scale # e99044 or you can use one of the other methods outlined in the linked article. To this you'll add the weight of anything in the vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. With this total combined weight known you can choose a system.

Ideally your total TW will fall right in the middle of the system's operating range. Let's say your total TW turns out to be 950-1000-lbs. On the linked page just click on that TW figure. The Reese Strait-Line system # RP66084 is an advanced trunnion bar weight distribution and sway prevention system that allows you to back up the trailer without having to disconnect anything. The trunnion style bars mean better ground clearance and the system includes the shank. All you need to add is a hitch ball like 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch # 19286.

expert reply by: Adam R

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