Recommended Weight Distribution System for 21-Foot Travel Trailer with 550-lb Tongue Weight

Question:

im looking for a weight distribution hitch for 2016 Toyota tundra to pull my 21foot travel trailer 456lb tw and 4000lb dry weight.. I would think the loaded weight would be no more than 550lb tw and 550lb0 gross weight.

asked by: Ernest J

Expert Reply:

Your trailer's fully-loaded tongue weight (TW) is the key for selecting a suitable weight distribution/sway control system (WD/SC). You also need to include in this TW figure the weight of anything in the Tundra that will sit behind the rear axle, say a loaded cooler or generator, just as examples. The WD/SC system needs to be matched to your actual total TW to ensure it is stiff enough to do the job, but not so stiff that creates weird handling characteristics from the trailer. Ideally your total TW will fall right in the middle of the system's operating range.

We offer a handy TW scale # e99044 but other methods for accurately measuring TW are noted in the linked article.

For a total TW of 550-600-lbs the system I recommend is Reese's Strait-Line # RP66083, shown in the linked video. This system not only provides weight distribution but also sway prevention to keep your trailer in line. All you need to add is a hitch ball, either 2-inch ball # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch ball # 19286. If you ever swap trailers and need a system with a different rating, all you need to do is install replacement spring bars of the appropriate weight capacity. We offer these as well as a full range of replacement parts.

expert reply by: Adam R