How to Determine Weight Distribution System for Trailer

Question:

I purchased a 2018 26 RB. Previously had a 2017 CB. Also a new TV Ram 1500. Have the equalizer 1,000/10,000 I don’t seem to be getting any weight distribution with the new set up. I believe hitch ball in set up is too high and may need a shank with more drop. Also, Do I need to purchase entire new set up, or just higher rated spring bars since unloaded tongue weight is 900#.

asked by: Jim M

Expert Reply:

The issue is not that the hitch ball is too high, it is that you do not have the properly rated weight distribution set up. You mentioned that you had an unloaded tongue weight of 900 lbs but your weight distribution system is the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET which is rated for 1,000 lbs of total tongue weight (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).

Your system not being rated high enough is making it essentially useless, as you pointed out, but there is a way for you to find out your total tongue weight, which will determine exactly what you need.

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.

There is a good chance you will need a weight distribution system rated for between 1,000 lbs and 1,400 lbs like the Equal-i-zer # EQ37140ET. If you verify that is the correctly rated system, since you already have an Equal-i-zer system the good news is you do not have to replace everything, you will only need the Replacement Head for Equal-i-zer - 1,400 lbs TW # EQ90-02-1400 along with the Replacement Spring Bars for Equal-i-zer - 1,400 lbs TW # EQ90-01-1499.