Recommended Weight Distribution System for 7,300 Pound Trailer with Short Tongue

Question:

I have a 2016 Tundra double cab 4x4 short bed 5.7L and factory installed class 3 hitch. I want a weight distribution system with sway control for a 2017 Hallmark Passport. Its a v nose with a very short tongue. It weighs 3300lbs empty and I want to haul a 4000lb car 7300lbs total. 2 - 200lb passengers in the truck and 200lbs or less cargo in the truck bed. What hitch would your recommend for this application? I think I will need the bolt on chain hangers, and I use a 2 5/16inch ball. Please advise and Thank You in advance!

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

When choosing a weight distribution system, the most important factor to keep in mind is the total tongue weight of your setup. This will include both the loaded tongue weight of your trailer along with any added weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Toyota Tundra. You will want this number to fall somewhere around the middle of the weight capacity range of the system that you choose.

Typically the tongue weight of a trailer will be around 10-15% of its total weight. Using the 7,300 pound loaded weight you provided in your question, we can estimate a loaded tongue weight of around 730 to 1,095 pounds. We can leave a little wiggle room to account for the 200 pounds or so you mentioned coming from behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle.

I recommend looking at the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar # RP66074. This system has a tongue weight capacity range of 600 pounds to 1,200 pounds, so should work nicely for your setup. It features dual-cam sway control to stop trailer sway before it begins and will help to evenly distribute weight over the axles of your Tundra and trailer. I recommend also verifying the trailer's tongue weight with a scale like the etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity # e99044

If your actual total tongue weight ends up on the higher side or exceeding our estimate, I recommend looking at the Reese Strait-Line # RP66130, which has a tongue weight capacity of 800 to 1,500 pounds.

Since you already have a hitch ball, you will just need to add an adjustable shank like the Reese # RP54970 that has up to a 2 inch drop or 6-1/2 inch rise. I have included a helpful article on weight distribution systems in which it is explains how to determine the correct adjustable shank for your setup.

Because you mentioned a short tongue on your trailer, I recommend adding the Reese Chain Hangers # RP58305. These bolt-on hangers will provide an alternative attachment point on the side of the frame, instead of the top, for the weight distribution spring bars.

I have also attached a link that will take you to our available selection of weight distribution systems for you to look through.