Recommended Parts for Towing a Starcraft Antigua Trailer with a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Question:
The owner manual only states 5500lbs max trailer weight and 400lbs tongue weight or 900lbs tongue weight when using weight distribution. But nowhere else does it list anything more than 5500lbs towing capacity with or without weight distribution in the manual (it only has an asterisk that says maximum when properly configured, which I took to mean w/weight distribution). The actual hitch itself has a sticker that says 4300/400lbs with no weight dist, and 7300/912lbs w/weight distribution, but then also says See Owners Manual. I definitely want weight distribution with sway control. Yes, for now, the maximum I would load my trailer will be 5500lbs. I dont have the trailer yet, so I dont know what the exact loaded and tongue weight are yet. Yes, it has a 7 way for electronic brakes. One more question: I see the p/n:66077 says I need a shank and ball. Should I get p/n: 66087 which includes the shank? Or do I need different shank?
asked by: Ryan D
Expert Reply:
The weight distribution you were looking at, part # RP66541, will carry over to a new F-150. You may need to get a different height shank or adjust head angle or spring bar tension, but everything else will be able to be used.
Does the owner manual state the vehicle has different capacities with a weight distribution system? Some vehicles have two ratings listed in their owner manual. If the manual states different figures for weight distribution, please write back and let me know.
If the 5500/900 pound figures are the only capacities listed or are the capacities for Weight Distribution, then the Reese would be a good fit. However, with a trailer that long, I would strongly urge you to select a weight distribution with sway control.
I will assume the 5500 pounds as the max figure you will be carrying. Your trailer, dry, has a tongue weight of 541 pounds, which means the tongue weight is 16 percent of trailer weight. The recommendation is no more than 15 percent of gross trailer weight. If you were to load your trailer to the max allowed by the Trailblazer, your tongue weight should be no more than 825 pounds. In this case, I would use Reese Strait-Line kit, part # RP66073 that comes with a sway control system and has a tongue weight range of 400-800 pounds. So you would need to be sure to load the trailer so that the tongue weight stays under 800 pounds.
To make the best recommendation for a weight distribution, I would really need to know the loaded weight and loaded tongue weight of the trailer.
As far as a transmission cooler, part # D13503 from Derale would be a good size for both of the vehicles in question. You would need to acquire new mounting hardware if you wanted to change the coolers over when you switch vehicles, but it will probably be less time consuming to order a new kit when you get the F-150. Measure the space in font of the Trailblazer radiator and make sure you have room to fit this cooler. The overall dimensions of the cooler are 11 inches wide and 8-3/4 inches tall and 7/8 inches thick.
As far as the brake controller, does the Trailblazer have a factory 7-Way or 4-Way trailer connector?
Products Referenced in This Question
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient
- Transmission Coolers
- Plate-Fin Cooler
- Mid-Size Truck
- SUV
- Van
- Standard Mount
- 11W x 8-3/4T x 7/8D Inch
- With 11/32 Inch Hose Barb Inlets
- Derale
more information >
Strait-Line Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - No Shank - Trunnion Bar - 8K GTW, 800 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Shank Not Included
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2-1/2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 500 lbs
- 600 lbs
- 700 lbs
- Reese
more information >
Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Round Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 500 lbs
- 600 lbs
- 700 lbs
- Reese
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Weight Distribution System w Shank - Trunnion Bar - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD Only
- No Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 600 lbs
- 700 lbs
- Reese
more information >
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on Weight Distribution Hitch
Ryan
7/27/2010
The owner manual only states 5500lbs max trailer weight and 400lbs tongue weight or 900lbs tongue weight when using weight distribution. But nowhere else does it list anything more than 5500lbs towing capacity with or without weight distribution in the manual (it only has an asterisk that says maximum when properly configured, which I took to mean w/weight distribution). The actual hitch itself has a sticker that says 4300/400lbs with no weight dist, and 7300/912lbs w/weight distribution, but then also says See Owners Manual. I definitely want weight distribution with sway control. Yes, for now, the maximum I would load my trailer will be 5500lbs. I dont have the trailer yet, so I dont know what the exact loaded and tongue weight are yet. Yes, it has a 7 way for electronic brakes. One more question: I see the p/n:66077 says I need a shank and ball. Should I get p/n: 66087 which includes the shank? Or do I need different shank?