Weight Distribution for a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country and 5,500 Pound Travel Trailer

Question:

Iam try to make sure I get the right weight distributing hitch for my travel trailer. I am using a 2014 town and country that has the tow package. And am pulling 22 ft travel trailer . Dry weight is 3500 and the maximum weight is 5500. What hitch should I be looking at?

asked by: Nathan

Expert Reply:

To choose a weight distribution system you will need to go by the total tongue weight of the set up. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

There are a few figures to look first. Your 2014 Chrysler Town and Country owner's manual shows that the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle is 3,600 pounds with 2 people and luggage and the tongue weight capacity is 360 pounds.

For 3 to 5 people and luggage the capacity drops to 3,350 pounds and 335 pounds tongue weight.

And for 6 to 7 people and luggage the capacity is 3,000 pounds and 300 for the tongue weight. If the vehicle has the Fold-in-Floor seats then the gross trailer weight capacities above will be reduced by 100 pounds.

Basically, you have to stay within the capacities of the vehicle even when using weight distribution so at most it is rated for 360 pounds. A system rated for 1,000 pounds such as # C17500 would be too heavy of a system. I recommend Fastway system # FA92-00-0600 rated for 250 to 600 pounds tongue weight.

For a 2-5/16 inch ball for this system use # EQ91-00-6100. I have included a link to a video review of the Fastway system and some links on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

Tim H.

6/12/2020

We have a 2014 crysler town and country with fold in seating. I have a 150 lb trunion system air bags added to the springs, and a transmission cooler. the max pulling weight is listed as 3600 #. The trailer total dry weight with propane loaded is listed as 3402# Can we pool this or with two adults or are we overloaded?

Chris R.

6/16/2020

If your Town & Country lists a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds it can safely pull the dry weight of 3,402 pounds that you mentioned for the trailer. I'm concerned though that it's actual loaded weight will exceed the van's limit. Do you know what the trailer's loaded weight will be, or it's GVWR?