Trailer Hitch and Trailer Brake Controller Recommendations for Lifted 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Question:
Hello, I have a 1500 Chevy Silverado 2WD it has a 6inch suspension lift on 35 inch tires. Need a brake controller, hitch, weight distribution with sway control for a 5000lb trailer and about 400 - 1000 lbs tongue weight etc...
asked by: JonPaul E
Expert Reply:
For a hitch to fit your 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 I recommend the 2-inch Curt Class IV hitch # C14006. This hitch offers high capacity and no-drill installation and is USA-made. An installation video is linked for you; this shows a 2016 model year.
For a brake controller the Prodigy P3 # 90195 that you referenced is an excellent choice. The Prodigy controllers offer easy set-up and reliable performance that is hard to beat. You will use wiring adapter # 3016 to install it in your truck. Please see the linked video.
Using a weight distribution set-up on a lifted truck with large tires can be tricky since there is likely to be a big difference in height between the vehicle and trailer. Weight distribution shanks are offered with different amounts of rise or drop (please see the linked page) but they cannot be used with hitch adapters. You will need to ensure you can find a WD shank with enough drop for the hitched trailer's frame to be level with the ground. These shanks use standardized hole diameters and spacing so you can use a 2-inch shank from a different manufacturer if needed.
Selecting the correct weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system for your trailer requires knowing your loaded trailer's actual tongue weight (TW) and to this adding the weight of any cargo in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. This cargo weight will act like trailer TW so it needs to be factored in to the total TW calculation. We offer the handy etrailer TW scale # e99044. Other methods to measure TW are outlined in the linked article.
Ideally your total TW falls in the middle of the operating range for the particular system you use. For instance, the Equal-i-zer # EQ37121ET works over a TW range of 800- to 1000-lbs. Curt shank # C17125 would give you 15-3/4-inches of drop.
Products Referenced in This Question
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
more information >
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class IV
- 1000 lbs TW
- 10000 lbs GTW
- 12000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 1200 lbs WD TW
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Curt Weight Distribution Shank - 12" Long - 15-3/4" or 16-1/4" Drop - 1,500 lbs TW
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Shanks
- 1500 lbs TW
- 15000 lbs GTW
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Round - 16 Inch Drop
- Trunnion - 15 Inch Drop
- CURT
more information >
etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity
- Tongue Weight Scale
- Analog Scale
- 2000 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control - No Shank - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Shank Not Included
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 1000 lbs
- 1100 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
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