Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2017 Jayco Hummingbird RK

Question:

I have a deposit on a 2017 Jayco Hummingbird RK, dry tongue 325 lbs, gross wt 3750. Our tow max on the van is 3500 lbs but we will never load it that heavy as it is to be used for only a week or so at a time and we travel light. I have a curt #13105 class 3 hitch rated at 5,000 gross and 500 lb tongue. I am obsessed with tongue weight primarily from reading your informative answers to customers. My dealer has no scale to weigh the tongue, how can that be ?????and just told me that hitch weight is NOT added into the tongue weight. How can a hitch that weighs 90-100 lbs NOT be added into the equation? Who is right here?? Anyway, I have figured my tongue wt could reach 747 lbs or 646 lbs if the hitch is not considered. I am going to take off my hitch and maybe have a Draw time #75237 max frame class 3 installed, 5000/675 tongue lbs. I did install two air bags in the rear coil springs of the van as it was riding low with my Harmar lift and wifes 4 wheel scooter 320 lbs. total. Scooter will go into the van middle seat area. I am thinking about an Equalizer or perhaps a reese straight line with trunnion bars for ground clearance. Will need 10-12inch of riser capability. I like blue ox, and andersen also. But I have seen questions about andersens weight distr capability????? HELP PLEASE ASAP.... THANKS

asked by: Michael P

Helpful Expert Reply:

When calculating tongue weight for a weight distribution system you would not add the weight of the system into the calculations. Essentially it becomes part of the vehicle frame and would not be tongue especially considering it actively reduces it. I know this is a weird concept but I have had several conversations with our WD manufacturers and they all state that it would not be considered as tongue weight in regards to the towing setup.

I would recommend the Reese Strait Line part # RP66083 as it has a 400-800 lb tongue weight range and because it has the only sway control that actively stops sway before it starts. It also has trunnion bars which are better for ground clearance.

If you use your air bags you would want to have them inflated before setting up this WD system.

Before upgrading your hitch you would want to check the owners manual to determine if going to a higher capacity hitch would be worth it. The towing capacity for the vehicle is basically the lowest rated component in the system.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.