Weight Distribution System for a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and 2,500 Pound Trailer

Question:

I have a small TT 18foot bumper to tounge, single axel that is 2486lbs dry with a TW of 280lbs approx. When I had the wiring installed they said my factory hitch is rated for a TW of 350lbs so i should be good without a WD hitch. Vehicle is a 2017 Wrangler Unlimited which is not the ideal tow vehicle but have to work with what we got. I was looking at the 400/4000 lbs hitch as we pack light but any cargo in the back of the Jeep will probably bump the TW up closer to 350lbs +. What are your thoughts?

asked by: Tyler

Expert Reply:

The first thing you will want to do is make sure the trailer hitch on your Jeep is rated for use with weight distribution. Not all hitches are. If yours is then there should be a sticker on the hitch that lists a separate capacity when using weight distribution like the aftermarket Class III hitches, such as # DT78MR, that we have.

Assuming the hitch is rated for weight distribution it is possible that the tongue weight capacity is still the same 350 pounds so keep that in mind because that would be the most tongue weight you could have even when using weight distribution that is rated higher.

Based on the dry weights you mentioned the tongue weight of the trailer is about 11 percent of the gross trailer weight which means that when loaded the most the trailer could weigh is about 3,180 pounds. At 11 percent of that the tongue weight would be just below 350 pounds. This is assuming you don't have anything loaded behind the rear axle of the Jeep. Any weight in that area does get added to the trailer tongue weight.

With all of that said it is best to use a weight distribution system that puts the trailer's tongue weight in the middle of the system's capacity range so the system can work the best. That is why I recommend going with Equal-I-zer system # EQ37060ET which is rated for 200 to 600 pounds tongue weight.

This system includes all of the parts of a weight distribution system including a shank and 2 inch ball. If you need a 2-5/16 inch ball it is available separately as # EQ91-00-6100. It is also recommended to use a thin-walled socket, # ALL643216, to install the ball. There is little space where the nut for the ball is so a thin-walled socket is needed. I have included some links on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.