Towing a Jeep on a Car Hauler with my 2002 Silverado 2500 HD do I need WD?  

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All towing components such as your hitch ball have a maximum weight capacity. This value is usually displayed on each piece of equipment. All of your components should be rated at a higher capacity than the heaviest trailer you will tow. Some parts have more than one capacity. For example, hitches are usually rated for maximum weight capacity and maximum tongue weight capacity. The maximum weight value represents the heaviest trailer the hitch can pull, and the maximum tongue weight represents the maximum weight that the hitch can handle pushing down on it.

The way you load a trailer can determine how easily you can tow it. While loading, keep in mind that the tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of the overall trailer weight. Not enough weight on the trailer tongue can cause sway. To keep your trailer from swaying, place heavier cargo forward, in front of the trailer's axle. Also center the cargo left-to-right and use tie-downs to keep the load from sliding.

Trailer sway can also lead to a loss of vehicle control. When starting out with a new load on a trailer, gradually increase your speed in intervals until highway speed is reached. If the trailer does begin to sway, try adjusting the cargo and equipment accordingly. Also, make sure your trailer's tires are properly inflated. If repositioning the load doesn't reduce sway, you may need a sway control or a weight distribution system with sway control.

With that being said, towing a car hauler with your Silverado, with a tow ball rated up to 6000lbs to tow a Jeep weighing 4500lbs plus the weight of the trailer is cutting it close. The Weigh Safe 2" Hitch Ball with Built-In Scale # WSUN-2 is a great recommendation to increase your tongue weight capacity. It has a weight capacity of 10,000 lbs and Tongue weight capacity of 1,500 lbs. Also, this Hitch ball comes equipped with a built-in scale that lets you measure tongue weight when your trailer is hooked up to determine if you can safely tow.

We at etrailer understand and we want to also make sure you are towing this load with your vehicle as safely and as efficiently as possible. Since you are towing a Jeep on a car hauler and your Jeep weighs around 4500 pounds not including the trailer, I also recommend weight distribution.

When you're towing a trailer with a standard rear-mounted hitch, your trailer's tongue weight is transferred to the rear axle of your tow vehicle. As a result, the back end of the vehicle may be forced lower, and the front end raised. If this happens, your vehicle's rear axle will bear the weight of not only the trailer, but much of your tow vehicle's weight as well. Less weight on the front axle of your vehicle can cause diminished performance in terms of steering, traction and stopping power. It can also increase trailer sway. And your view of the road may be limited due to the awkward angle.

Weight Distribution is needed when Your trailer weight is more than 50 percent of your vehicle's weight, when you find it difficult to steer or stop your rig or you want to tow to the highest capacity allowed by your vehicle's trailer hitch.

I recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW Item # EQ37100ET. This system will give you the peace of mind that you are towing safely while also increasing your towing capacity at a safe weight. I have attached the install video on this product as well as help guides.

This system features, weight distribution with sway control, includes the shank, electric and surge brake compatible and allows backing up.

To get an accurate weight of the load you are towing, I recommend the etrailer Trailer Tongue Weight Scale # e99044. A trailer tongue weight scale is a great tool used to make sure your trailer hitch is not being overloaded and your trailer is loaded properly. Typically, 10-15 percent of the total trailer weight should be the tongue weight.

expert reply by: Timothy G

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