Correct Curt Weight Distribution System for Towing a 2018 Keystone Bullet Premier Ultra Light 30RIPR
Question:
I own a 2017 Chevy 1/2 ton 2 wheel drive 1500 Silverado with a 5.3 V8 with 308 gears in the rear axle and a KandN cold air intake and Flowmaster exhaust. The truck has had the McGaughys 4/6 kit installed with 20 wheels and 245/45/20 tires. The lowering kit is just the rear flip kit with rear shackles bringing the rear down about 7 and the front has spindles with an adjustable strut/spring cup that is down about 5 using the stock coil springs. All front and rear suspension is still stock. A few days ago I bought a 2018 Keystone Bullet Premier Ultra Light 30RIPR Travel Trailer that is 35 11 long and has a shipping weight of 6835 lbs and a carrying capacity of 1365 lbs and a tongue weight of 865 lbs. I am planning on pulling the trailer approx. 20 miles to and from two different parks every 3 weeks. I bought a weight distribution hitch from the dealer thinking they knew my unique set up and was going to make sure I had the correct set up. I was scared to death on the way home from picking the trailer up. The wind was so bad I was all over the road. I drove 30-40 mph across 152 Pacheco Pass and can say Ill never do that again. I know I they sold me the wrong weight distribution hitch and most likely the wrong shank as well. My thinking is it needed another adjustment in the rise but Im not sure. Is the C17500 the right choice for my set up and what shank size do you think I would need? Im attaching pictures of the current set up.... Thank you!
asked by: Tony S
Expert Reply:
It looks like your current system is a Curt MV like part # C17052 which is supposed to help with the distribution of weight but doesn't include any sway control. This is why you were having issues with the wind. There are friction sway control bars like part # 17200 that you can add to your system but they are not as effective as a system that has the sway control integrated into it.
The Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution (WD) # C17500 does have integrated sway control so it will help to fight the wind but I am not sure if this is properly rated for your towing setup as the tongue weight (TW) range is 800 lbs - 1,000 lbs.
You want to choose a WD system with a Tongue Weight (TW) range that the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of your towing setup falls in the middle of. To find the TTW of your towing setup you will need to add the TW of your fully loaded and ready-to-go trailer along with the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. Keep in mind that a properly loaded trailer will have a TW that is 10-15% of the loaded weight of your trailer.
If your loaded trailer has a TW of 865 lbs then this Curt system is exactly what you need, but I don't think that is your loaded TW. Keeping with the 10-15% rule if you were to load your trailer down with the 1,365 lbs of weight then your loaded TW range would be 820 lbs - 1,230 lbs. For this you would potentially want to use the TruTrack # C17501 instead thich has a TW range of 1,000 lbs - 1,500 lbs.
Once you know you have the correct system for your setup you need the correct shank. I believe your current shank allows you to have up to a 7" rise. If this is the case then the Curt WD Shank # 17120 which has a 9-1/4" rise for a trunnion system should be what you are needing.
Let me know what the weights are of your loaded towing setup and if you need a sdifferent shank and I can make some different recommendations.
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt Weight Distribution Shank - 10" Long - 5-3/4" or 6-1/8" Drop - 1,500 lbs TW
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Shanks
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Round - 6 Inch Drop
- Trunnion - 5 Inch Drop
- Round - 10 Inch Rise
- Trunnion - 9 Inch Rise
- CURT
more information >
Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Sway Control Parts
- CURT
more information >
Curt MV Weight Distribution System - Round Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD Only
- No Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 900 lbs
- CURT
more information >
Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 15,000 lbs GTW, 1,500 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
- 1100 lbs
- 1200 lbs
- 1300 lbs
- 1400 lbs
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 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
- 900 lbs
- CURT
more information >
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on Weight Distribution Hitch
Mike W.
7/8/2020
I have the same issue - towing with a 2015 Chevy 2500 HD Diesel with air bags. I can share pictures but Have the friction sway control but honestly this trailer has a high profile in wind. I'm thinking about changing my entire set up,,,I would appreciate professional advice. Second problem is stabilizing this RV!!! happy to send pics. I'm in Ca same area more or less Nor Cal.