Recommended Weight Distribution System for 3,800 Pound Trailer

Question:

I have a 2012 Travel Lite 18qb travel trailer. I am not home right now but the empty wight is about 2800 lbs, TW empty 377 according to the web, and the gross is about 3800lbs. I will have a generator at some point, plus some gear in the car. I will be towing with a 2011 honda pilot with towing package. I took it out this week for the first time and I noticed the V shape that was created by the trailer pushing in the car. the back tire was about an inch from the fender and the front tire was about 3 or 4 inches from the fender. So I am looking into a weight distribution hitch with sway control. I am looking at the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10K GTW, 1K TW - RP66559 or the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW - RP66084. I dont think my gross TW would be too much over 800lbs. But I do not see that for that weight. I also like the sway control system on the strait-line. I would like some input on the products and my specific trailer before buying. Thanks,

asked by: Steven

Expert Reply:

Adding a weight distribution system to your towing setup will certainly help the rear end sag you are experiencing on your Honda Pilot.

When choosing a weight distribution system, the most important factor to consider is your total tongue weight. This will include both the loaded tongue weight of your trailer, along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Pilot. Ideally, this number will fall somewhere around the middle of the system's operating range that you choose.

A trailer's tongue weight should be 10-15 percent of its total weight. If we use the 3,800 pound gross trailer weight that you mentioned in your question, we can estimate a loaded tongue weight of around 380 to 570 pounds, remembering to leave some wiggle room for cargo weight behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. I highly recommend verifying your trailer's loaded tongue weight, as if ready to go on a trip, with a scale like the etrailer # e99044.

With the above estimate in mind, a system like the Reese Steadi-Flex # RP66559 or the Strait-Line # RP66084 referenced in your question will likely be a bit over-rated with tongue weight capacities at and over 1,000 pounds. An over-rated system will result in an extremely rough ride when towing and may actually lead to damage.

I instead recommend looking at a lower rated system like the Reese Strait-Line # RP66087 that has a tongue weight capacity of 400 to 800 pounds. This should provide an operating range much closer to the total tongue weight on your particular towing setup. This system will do a great job of automatically adjusting and centering during sway conditions. It will also work to evenly distribute weight over the axles of your Pilot and trailer, creating a more level ride and eliminating that sag you are experiencing.

You will just need to add a compatible hitch ball like the 2 inch # A-90 or the 2-5/16 inch # 19286. I have attached the installation details for this system along with an FAQ article on weight distribution systems that you might find helpful.