Selecting Weight Distribution Hitch for 4400-lb Travel Trailer Towed by 2012 Chevrolet Silverado

Question

Question:

Hi , I have a 2012 Chevy Silverado with 5500 towing capacity and looking for a weight distribution System for Towing a 21 Ft Travel Trailer with a dry weight of 3650 expected loaded weight of around 4400 lbs, any recommendation? Thanks

asked by: Norm P

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

We can help you choose a correctly-rated weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) hitch setup for your Silverado that will be towing a 4400-lb loaded 21-foot travel trailer.

The right way to choose a system is to load your trailer for a trip, with all your usual gear and supplies in place, and to measure the actual loaded trailer tongue weight (TW). The etrailer scale # e99044 makes this process easy and easily repeatable. Plus, using the scale regularly means that over time you will learn how various loading strategies affect the trailer's TW. Ultimately this leads to better trailer loading and so better handling from the trailer.

To this actual loaded trailer TW you will add any cargo weight in the truck that sits behind the rear axle, such as loaded cooler, a generator or a load of firewood. This cargo weight needs to be considered along with the trailer's own loaded TW.

Once you know the total TW of the towing system you can choose a WD/SC hitch so that your total TW falls near the middle of its operating range. Typically a properly-loaded 4400-lb trailer will have TW in the range of 525-lb to 625-lbs. For this example TW you would ideally choose a system rated for between 400- and 800-bs, such as the excellent Reese Strait-Line Trunnion Bar system # RP66083 (along with a hitch ball like 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/15-inch # 19286).

If you do happen to carry a bit of cargo in the truck and have a total TW closer to 800-lbs then a better choice is the Equal-I-zer system # EQ37100ET which works over a range of 600- to 1000-lbs. The key is to choose a setup so that your actual total TW is near the middle of the operating range. This will ensure the system is stiff enough to do its job without being so rigid that it creates weird handling side-effects from the trailer. This setup includes a 2-5/16-inch hitch ball so all you might add is a thin-walled socket # EQ70-00-4800 for hitch ball installation. I really like this system for its smaller (and easier-to-install) frame brackets.

I suggest checking out the linked article and video, both of which will give you helpful information so you can make the best choice for your specific trailer.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

Answer 1

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 4

Hey Donald, the best Blue Ox weight distribution would be the pat #BXW0550 as it has a perfect tongue weight range for your 450 lb tongue weight trailer.

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Answer 5

We can absolutely help you troubleshoot this. When installing a wiring harness like the Curt #C56406 on your 2020 Jeep Cherokee, this most commonly occurs when one of three things happens; either the plug is not seating correctly with the harness,…

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Answer 6

For a trailer that has an angle iron frame like what you have what I would recommend is a system like the Reese Steadi-Flex part #RP66558 you referenced and have the outer brackets welded to the frame of the trailer since there isn't a clamp on…

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

The round or trunnion bars refers to the end of the spring bars. Round bars are typically designed for lighter applications, are a bit harder to install and are usually priced lower than trunnion bars. Trunnion bars are typically designed to be used…

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

I recommend the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution #FA92-00-0800 for your 5,500lb travel trailer with 492lbs of tongue weight. This hitch is rated for trailers weighing up to 8,000lbs with between 400-800lbs of tongue weight. I prefer this hitch as it…

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Answer 12

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