Recommended Weight Distribution System for Trailer with 300 Pound Dry Tongue Weight

Question:

I own a 2002 Honda Odyssey and recently purchased a camping trailer. With my hitch installed, the height to the top of the hitch is 11, the bottom of the trailer connector is at 18-19. I need an 8inch rise with my . I used a 6.5inch connector to get it home. It was much to low and there is considerable tongue weight on the trailer. I was looking at using a weight distribution setup to tow my camper. Do you have a recommendation? The trailer unloaded gown is 2500 lbs, 300lb tongue weight. Any help is appreciated.

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution system is a great idea to help evenly distribute your trailer's weight and eliminate the rear sag that it sounds like you are experiencing on the Odyssey.

When picking out a weight distribution system, the most important factor to consider is the total tongue weight of your setup. This number includes both the loaded tongue weight of the trailer (as if loaded and ready for a trip), along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Honda Odyssey. Ideally, this number will fall somewhere near the middle of the operating range for the system you choose.

You did mention a 300 pound tongue weight on your trailer, but it sounds like this may be with it unloaded. Using a scale like the etrailer # e99044 is the most accurate method for determining the trailer's loaded tongue weight. Depending on what the loaded tongue weight ends up being, along with the weight of any cargo you have stored behind the van's rear axle, the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37061ET may work perfectly. This system has a tongue weight capacity of 200 to 600 pounds and will do a great job of creating a level ride and limiting side-to-side movement of the trailer.

You can then add the Adjustable Shank # EQ90-02-4240, which features a maximum rise of 8 inches so it will work perfectly with your setup.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this system that you can check out, along with a great article on weight distribution systems that you might find helpful.