Weight Distribution System Recommendation for Truck Towing Trailer with Camper in Truck Bed

Question:

I have the following configuration. 2004 Silverado HD2500 6.6 Diesel Pickup 6ft Bed, with a V-5 Talon 2” hitch. Pulling a PJ Utility Trailer U6 tandem axels with 18ft bed. Trailer weight is 2000 lb with a total carry weight of 5000 lbs. The total for trailer and load is 7000 lb. I have a 2000 lb Northstar pickup camper mounted on the PJ trailer. The grand total for trailer and camper is 4000 lb. I need to know what weight distribution and sway control device you recommend. Please contact me if you need additional information.

asked by: Chuck C

Expert Reply:

Thanks for all of the information you listed.

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.

So we can safely assume that your camper will add about 1,000 lbs of tongue weight considering it's weight and where it sits in the bed of your truck in relation to the rear axle. Most likely you'd be looking at an additional 500 lbs tongue weight for the trailer you have so that's a grand total of 1,500 lbs.

The Strait Line part # RP66075 with the shank part # RP54998 would be best option. Then for a hitch ball part # 63840.

This system has a tongue weight range of up to 1,700 lbs and features the only sway control on the market designed to fight sway before it starts.