How to Measure Trailer Tongue Weight to Select Weight Distribution System for 2007 Honda Odyssey

Question:

Hi, I am looking into your Reese Straight-line weight distribution hitch. Your RP66083 seems to be the ideal fit for your my vehicle, but is more expensive than the RP66074, which is greater capacity. Are there any disadvantages to getting the RP66074 even though it exceeds my capacity. Any advantages? Thank you!

asked by: David K

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system, regardless of brand or specific design, should be selected based on the measured total tongue weight (TW) of the vehicle/trailer system. This is the combined weight of the fully loaded trailer's actual TW (which can be measured easily with tongue weight scale # e99044) plus the weight of anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or a generator. The weight of anything that sits behind the rear axle acts just like trailer TW and so it must be accounted for when selecting a WD/SC system. It also then naturally follows that loading the trailer and vehicle in a consistent manner for each trip is a good idea.

Both of the Reese Strait-Line systems you referenced, # RP66083 and # RP66074, are trunnion bar systems, the type I recommend for use with your low-sitting Honda Odyssey. Trunnion type weight distribution systems tend to provide better ground clearance than round bar systems since the trunnion bars enter the hitch head from the side, rather than from the bottom. This means less chance of anything touching the ground when you have to, for example, enter a steep driveway.

Do note one difference between these two systems is that # RP66083 includes the adjustable shank; all you need to add is the hitch ball, such as 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch ball # 19286. For system # RP66074 you'll also need to select a shank; the linked page displays the Reese shanks available. Both of these require that the lift brackets be mounted to the trailer frame approximately 30-inches from the hitch ball.

The ideal situation is that your total TW will fall right near the middle of the system's operating range. So, Reese system # RP66083, which works over a TW range of 400- to 800-lbs would be ideal if your total TW ends up at 600-lbs. System # RP66083 works over a TW range of 600- to 1200-lbs, making it the better choice if your TW is around 900-lbs. If your system is rated too low, it will not be able to provide the desired weight shift onto the Odyssey's front axle. If it is rated too high, then it may be too stiff and cause weird handling from the trailer.

I have linked two helpful articles, on weight distribution in general and on measuring tongue weight in particular, that may be of interest.