Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2013 Ram 1500 Towing 8,500 lb Trailer

Question:

I have a 2013 Ram quad 1500, 5.7 hemi with a 64foot box and trailer package. My rear axle rating 3.93 is 3900 lbs and the actual weight is 2600 lbs leaving a difference of 1300 lbs. The gcwr is 15650 and the maximum trailer weight is 10100 lbs. Im looking at buying a 2010 Jay Flight G2 29RLS which will weigh approximately 8000 to 8500 lbs loaded. All the weights easily work according to the Ram towing 2013 1500 towing chart. I have 2 questions, please: 1. Should I even be towing this long/large trailer 337 with a 1/2 ton pick up, even though it fits the criteria, or will it be too difficult to manage on long trips? 2. If towing isnt a problem, what would be, in your opinion, the best weight distribution/sway control hitch to purchase? Thanks for any help you can give me on these matters. Regards,

asked by: Ken W

Expert Reply:

As long as you are under the towing capacities for the vehicle the length of the trailer really won't be an issue. If you tow the trailer level, have proper weight distribution of the trailer's weight so that you have 10-15 percent of the total weight as tongue weight and then use a properly rated and set up weight distribution system you would be totally fine and safe.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

If your trailer loaded is 8,500 lbs that would mean that your tongue weight is 850 to 1,200 lbs most likely. For a system for that weight range the part # RP66084 is the best option as it has a tongue weight range of 600-1,200 lbs and features the only sway control on the market designed to fight sway before it starts.

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

expert reply by: Jameson C