Recommended Weight Distribution for Towing 2500 lb Trailer w/ 2011 Chrysler Town and Country  

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Expert Reply:

Using a weight distribution system to level the van's ride height while towing is an excellent idea. The best system for you will depend on the type of trailer you have. If you have an enclosed or travel trailer, I recommend going with a w/d system with an integrated sway control component as these types of trailers are susceptible to trailer sway caused by crosswinds or turbulence caused from oncoming traffic.

To choose a system with the proper capacity, you'll need to determine the trailer's tongue weight when it's fully loaded and ready to tow. To that figure, add the weight of any gear stored in the van behind the rear axle. Another consideration is that minivans like your Town and Country have very little ground clearance at the rear, so using a round bar weight distribution system isn't recommended. A trunnion bar system that doesn't hang downward so much would work better.

I'll assume that the 2500 lb weight you mentioned represents the fully loaded trailer weight. A trailer's tongue weight is typically 10-15 percent of its weight, so your trailer tongue weight would most likely range from 250 to 375 lbs. Given that, I'd recommend the Reese # RP66020, which is effective on trailers with tongue weights up to 600 lbs. If you have a travel trailer or enclosed trailer, I'd recommend adding a friction sway control unit, part # 83660.

You'll also need a trailer ball and a shank. For a trailer ball, I'd recommend # A-90 for a 2 inch ball. The shank you need will depend on the rise/drop needed. To determine that, you'll need to determine the height difference between the top inside of the hitch receiver tube and the bottom of your trailer coupler. If the trailer coupler is higher than the inside top of the receiver tube, you'll need a shank with a rise. You'll then need to add about 1-1/2 inches of elevation to the height difference to account for the squat that'll happen with the trailer is hitched. Say for instance the coupler is 5 inches higher than the inside top of the receiver tube. You'll need to add 1-1/2 inches to that, which will give you a 6-1/2 inch rise that's needed.

I'll link you to our selection of shanks. Keep in mind that the shanks will list different rises for trunnion and round bar systems. If you go with a trunnion system as I recommended, you'll need to pay attention to the dimensions for the trunnion bar system. For example, the # RP54970 offers a maximum rise of 6-1/2 inches or 2 inches of drop.

expert reply by: Mike L

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