How to Select Correct Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for Lacrosse Camper Trailer
Question:
I just bought a 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT z71. Im wanting a lacrosse camper that is 7913 LBs. Hitch wt. 950 LBs and a cargo capacity of about 1200 LBs. My question is can this be done safely? If so what WT. Distribution system should I use?
asked by: Cory
Helpful Expert Reply:
A truck's towing capacity is determined by the combination of all drivetrain components including the engine, transmission, axle ratio, and also the cab style and bed length. I linked a page from the online owner's manual (page 320) which shows you the maximum trailer weights for each version of your 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT. Some versions of your truck can handle a 7900-lb trailer but others cannot.
You can check your manual or you can find the driver-door-jamb sticker that has weight ratings indicated to find the GVW and GCWR figures. GVW is the most the truck itself can weigh; GCWR is the most the truck and trailer together can weigh. Subtract GVW from GCWR and you will have your maximum trailer weight figure.
A hitch that is rated for use with weight distribution/sway control systems like # EQ37100ET will indicate this on its safety sticker. Such systems often allow higher trailer weight to be towed by the hitch but the vehicle itself may not always share that same higher trailer weight rating. The lower of the two ratings applies to the whole system.
The best way to select a WD/SC system is to load the trailer with all your usual supplies and gear, with water and propane tanks filled, and to then measure that actual loaded tongue weight (TW) using scale # e99044. This scale makes confirming your actual TW easy and easily repeatable. Over time you will find the best loading scheme to keep your TW in the ideal 12- to 14-percent range. Too little TW means more trailer sway so getting this right first is important.
Once you know the trailer is loaded properly you can then take that TW figure and add it to the weight of any cargo in the Silverado's bed that sits behind the rear axle - say a generator or big loaded cooler - since that cargo weight acts just like trailer TW. This combined TW figure let's you choose the right WD/SC set-up.
Ideally your total TW will fall in the middle of the operating range for the system you choose. Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37100ET works over a TW range of 600- to 1000-lbs. It would be ideal for total TW of 800-lbs. If your trailer has a dry hitch weight spec of 950-lbs then by the time you load it up the actual TW will be more like 1200-lbs. In this case you would want to use Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37140ET which works for TW from 1000- to 1400-lbs.
Please refer to the linked article and video for more on selecting WD set-ups.
Products Referenced in This Question
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 System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 1200 lbs
- 1300 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 800 lbs
- 900 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
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