Recommendation for Weight Distribution and Sway Control When Towing a 4,000 Pound Trailer

Question

Question:

At what weight do I need a weight distrabution hitch. My trailer gvw is 4000 lbs.I am towing with a full size 1/2 ton.

asked by: John

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Expert Reply:

Weight distribution is a good idea when the gross trailer weight is 50 percent or more of the vehicle weight or if you are experiencing sag at the rear of your truck. Weight distribution, as the name implies, takes the weight of the trailer and transfers to all the axles of both the towing vehicle and the trailer.

For a trailer weighing 4,000 pounds with a tongue weight at 400 to 600 pounds (10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight), I recommend Reese Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit, # RP67509, which comes with a shank so you would just need a properly sized ball like # A-90 (2 inch diameter) or # 19286 (2-5/16 inch diameter). This kit does not include sway control.

If you are experiencing trailer sway, I recommend going with a system that includes dual-cam sway control. Dual-cam sway control is a pro-active system that stops trailer sway before it starts. For a weight distribution with sway control, I recommend Strait-Line Weight Distribution System, # RP66087. I have included links to the installation details for this system, along with a link to our weight distribution FAQ article for reference.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

If the rear end of your vehicle sags significantly when the trailer is hooked up then you could have an unsafe condition and your front end and tires will not wear properly. The weight is taken off of the front wheels of the vehicle and can cause…

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Answer 2

A trailer with a 5000 lb GTW (gross trailer weight) could potentially have a tongue weight 10-15% of its GTW which would be 500-750 lbs. The Curt TruTrack #C17499 Weight Distribution system can handle tongue weights ranging from 500-800 lbs, so…

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Answer 3

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…

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Answer 4

To be on the safe side, we will assume the maximums; trailer weight of 4,000 pounds and tongue weight of 425 pounds. When selecting a weight distribution system, the most important thing is properly matching tongue weights. That being said, you never…

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Answer 5

Any time you are towing a trailer that has a fully loaded weigh that is over 50 percent of the vehicle's gross weight, a weight distribution system is recommended. If your vehicle weighs less than 6,000 lbs, a weight distribution system and…

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Answer 6

I have two excellent options for you to help keep control of the trailer at highway speed, a friction sway control bar like the Reese Friction Sway Control Kit part #83660 with the Sway-Control Bracket part #RP26003 or an electric sway control device…

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Answer 7

Anytime the fully loaded and ready to tow trailer weight is greater than 50 percent of the weight of the tow vehicle, using weight distribution should be considered. When you get the pop-up, hitch it to the vehicle and pay special attention to the…

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Answer 8

The Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System #RP66558 has a shipping weight of 73 lbs so when you take away the packaging that leaves you with about 70 lbs. Although it would seem that you would need to include the weight of the weight…

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Answer 9

Given that the GVWR represents the maximum your trailer plus its contents can weigh, we can make a pretty good guesstimate of its tongue weight. You can confirm the tongue weight for yourself by using the information provided in the article I've…

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Answer 10

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 11

It looks like your 2018 Jayco Hummingbird 16FD 3,500 lbs. Tongue weight is typically 10% - 15% of your trailer's weight once you are fully loaded. Since you like the Reese products, I recommend the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/…

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Answer 12

While we don't have any suspension enhancement kits that fit your 2020 Toyota Highlander we do have other ways to help reduce sage when towing a trailer as long as you have a hitch installed that is rated for use with a weight distribution system…

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