Using Weight distribution for Boat Trailer Towed by Chevy Suburban  

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You will want to check the towing capacity for your specific model year and version of 1/2-ton Suburban since capacities vary. The 2WD Suburban tops out at 8300-lbs towing capacity IF it has the V8 and the Max Trailering Package. Other versions are rated for as low as 6000-lbs maximum towing weight. Your owner's manual is the best place to confirm your capacity, but you can also contact a local dealership with the Suburban's VIN to let them look up the complement of factory equipment installed on it.

A weight distributing hitch is always called for when the trailer weight is more than half of the tow vehicle weight. These systems can correct for front-end lift, which restores both steering and braking performance, but they also reduce or prevent trailer sway from passing trucks and wind gusts. Weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) systems are intended for A-frame trailers but they can be installed on pole tongue (straight tongue) boat trailers too by adding a pole tongue adapter such as # RP58393 that provides the mounting point for the spring bar brackets.

The key to choosing one is knowing the loaded trailer tongue weight (TW). We have a handy scale # e99044 that makes measuring TW easy. To this measured trailer TW you need to add any cargo weight ion the vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, say a loaded cooler for instance, since this cargo weight acts just like trailer TW. Ideally your total effective TW will fall near the middle of the operating range for the system. You can refer to the linked article for more on WD systems.

For a trailer brake controller that will work with an electric-over-hydraulic boat trailer brake actuator you can use one of the excellent Prodigy units, the P2 # 90885 or the P3 # 90195. Either one will be an excellent option.

expert reply by: Adam R

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