How to Determine the Correct Weight Distribution System

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Question:

I have a travel trailer 35ft with a blue ox weight control system, at 55-65 mph I get sway issues and it seems like the trailer is in control and not the truck. the weight distribution system is set so the trailer is level already. trailer over weight is not at issue What should I do?

asked by: DAVE P

0

Expert Reply:

It is possible you may not have the correctly rated spring bars with your Blue Ox weight distribution system which is why sway is still occuring so you will want to verify the weight you need.

To do this you will need to know your total tongue weight (TTW), which is the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle.

The tongue weight is typically between 10% and 15% of your trailer's GVWR but you'll want to verify it by using a scale such as the # e99044 or by using one of the methods outlined in the help article on determining tongue weight I've linked for you. From there, simply add on the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle and you'll have your TTW. The ideal system would be one in which your TTW would fall somewhere in the middle of the weight distribution system's tongue weight capacity.

For example, if your TTW was 1,200 lbs you would want the Blue Ox SwayPro # BXW1500 which is for total tongue weights between 1,000 lbs and 1,500 lbs.

The good news is you can just replace the spring bars of your current SwayPro; if you did have a 1,200 lb capacity and had a lower-rated system you can use the Replacement Spring Bars for Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System # BXW4008 which are for total tongue weights between 1,000 lbs and 1,500 lbs like in the aforementioned system.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Answer 1

I would recommend using the Replacement Spring Bars for Blue Ox SwayPro #BXW4008 1,000-1,500 tongue weight bars. If you're already seeing close to 1000lbs of tongue weight as it is, I would only imagine when traveling that number will start to…

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Answer 2

If your loaded tongue weight is 1,500 lbs you are at the very bottom of the tongue weight range for the Blue Ox weight distribution system part #BXW2000 which has a range of 1,500 to 2,000 lbs. This will give you a harsh ride quality like you have.…

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Answer 3

If you are needing replacement spring bars for your Blue Ox Weight Distribution System, I recommend going with the 1,500 Pound Spring Bars #BXW4008. This will provide you with a tongue weight capacity range of 1,000 to 1,500 pounds, so even when you…

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Answer 4

If your trailer's loaded tongue weight is at 1,000 pounds I do recommend upgrading your system by replacing the spring bars with the 1,500 pound #BXW4008. This will be a simple swap and they will work with the existing head on your Blue Ox…

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Answer 5

If you are under 1,500 lbs of tongue weight you'll be best served going with the lighter rated #BXW4008. Being on the high end of a tongue weight range is much better than being too low for a system's tongue weight range as that would give…

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Answer 6

You are correct in that your current spring bars are not rated high enough to properly distribute the tongue weight of your setup. Going with the #BXW4008 will be the best solution and will allow you the proper distribution of weight. There is no way…

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Answer 7

Based on the information you have given me it sounds like you have the Replacement Spring Bars for Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System - 1,000 lbs TW #BXW4007 on your current system which are rated for 750-1,000 lbs of tongue weight. This…

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Answer 8

Thanks so much for that good info, and one of the nice things about the Blue Ox SwayPro weight distribution hitches is that when you upgrade your trailer to something heavier (or lighter) you can simply swap out the spring bars to ones with the right…

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Answer 9

If the trailer does not have enough weight on the tongue relative to the weight of the trailer (ideally between 10-15%) then you can experience issues with porpoising. A weight distribution system will generally fix most porpoising issues as it helps…

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Answer 10

The mention of the 9th link on the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control part #BXW1000 if referring to the very last link furthest away from the spring bar. This is where you will start your chain as you are applying tension on them…

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Answer 11

The type of sway you described is actually caused by the location of the cargo in the trailer and can't be resolved with a weight distribution system. What you need to do is move cargo weight as far forward in the trailer as you can to increase…

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Answer 12

I reached out to Blue Ox directly and was able to confirm that with the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution system #BXW1000 you will get the best results with the sway control mode turned off on your 2018 Ford F-350. If with the sway control turned…

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