Recommended Weight Distribution System for 6,900 Pound Trailer with Chevy Suburban  

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Generally speaking, a properly rated and set up weight distribution system should eliminate the need for suspension enhancement products like jounce style springs or air bags. In some cases the two systems can actually work against each other if installed at the same time.

If you are just wanting to add suspension enhancement for towing improvements, I recommend starting with a weight distribution system as this will likely resolve all the issues you are having. If you still need some improvements, or you are also looking to add suspension enhancement for non-towing applications (such as loading heavy cargo into the vehicle itself), then Timbrens or Air Lift air springs will be a good option.

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

A trailer's tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of its total weight. So with this in mind, we can use the 6,900 pound GVWR that you listed for your Heartland trailer to estimate a loaded tongue weight of around 690 to 1,035 pounds. The Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37120ET that you referenced features a tongue weight capacity of 800 to 1,200 pounds. As long as your actual total tongue weight falls on the higher end of that estimate, this system should work perfectly. Otherwise you may need to bump down to the lower rated Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET that has a 600 to 1,000 pound tongue weight capacity.

The Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System # RP66560 that you also referenced has a larger range in its capacity of 600 to 1,200 pounds, so it really should be perfect regardless of which end your actual total tongue weight falls on that estimate.

Both the Equal-i-zer and Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution Systems are top-of-the-line systems that will do a great job of evenly distributing weight. They are very similar but between the two I do recommend going with the Steadi-Flex. It uses brake-pad like material for its sway control rather than the metal on metal contact that the Equal-i-zer systems use. This will result in a quieter, smoother operation during travel.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this system that you can also check out.

expert reply by: Chris R

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