Tongue Weight Scale for Determining Correct Weight Distribution Spring Bars

Question:

We have a Sonic Lite 167VMS TT. GVW is 4000#. GTW is 400#. We tow with a 2016 2.8L Chevy Colorado Diesel GTW 6,000#. We purchased from the dealer a Centerline TS 800 to 1200 # tongue weight and 12,000# gross trailer weight. The dealer installed in January or February of this year. We have a 2inch ball and our frame is only 3inch wide and it is my understanding that this WDH is not designed to be installed on a frame less that 4inch wide. It is extremely difficult to move the spring bars and once hitched, the tow is very bouncy. We are very frustrated with this hitch not first TT or WDH we have owned and used. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

asked by: Carol W

Expert Reply:

For a travel trailer with a gross weight rating (GVWR) of 4000-lbs the actual tongue weight (TW) when it is properly loaded should be in the 12 to 14-percent range, or roughly 480-lbs to 560-lbs.
A weight distribution hitch that is rated for 800 to 1200-lbs of loaded tongue weight is simply too stiff for your trailer's weight; this is why the ride quality is suffering.

The ideal situation is that your total fully-loaded TW (including the weight of any cargo in the Colorado that sits behind the rear axle) falls right in the middle of the system's range. For your loaded TW in the 500-lb range you need a system rated for more like 400 to 600-lbs, which in the case of the Husky Centerline systems would be hitch # HT32216. This can install on a frame as narrow as 2-inches.

Before selecting new spring bars I suggest you confirm the actual loaded TW by using scale # e99044. This tongue weight scale makes it easy to know your actual TW which not only helps you choose the correct replacement spring bars but also helps you with loading your trailer correctly.

expert reply by: Adam R