How to Select Properly-Rated Weight Distribution System

Question:

Curt wght. hitch c17501 , sent question yesterday worded it wrong should have been hitch has range of 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 tw. my trailer 9500, tw just under 1000 tw.is this to much hitch and is c17500 not enough for for some xtra safety

asked by: Darrell M

Expert Reply:

All weight distribution/sway control systems like the Curt # C17501 operate over a range of trailer tongue weight. The ideal situation is that your total effective tongue weight - the combination of the loaded trailer's actual measured TW plus the weight of any cargo in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle - falls right near the middle of that range. Trailer TW can be easily measured with the etrailer scale # e99044.

If your total TW is below the system's range, you could experience weird handling from the trailer since the spring bars would exert too much force; on the other hand, if your TW were to be too high for the system it would not be able to provide the desired shift of weight to the vehicle's front axle.

If your actual total TW is 1000-lbs then a system rated for 800-to-1200-lbs, such as the Equalizer # EQ37120ET, will be a better choice.

expert reply by: Adam R