Weight Distribution Recommendation for 2006 GMC Savana Towing Ranger Tug Boat 25 ft

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Question:

My long wheelbase 2006 GMC 3500 van is towing a 2008 25foot Ranger Tug on a 2-axle EZ Loader steel frame trailer with surgebrakes. Boat weight is about 6700# and trailer is about 1700#. Class 4 hitch, requires an approx. 8inch high coupler rise 8inch from C/L of hitchbar to base of ball to make trailer level. Van front axle rating is 4300#, rear axle is 6084#. Have towed several thousand miles in Midwest w/no problems with swaying, but do get some hobby-horsing on rough pavement. Would a WD hitch help reduce that? I know Im getting close to upper tow weight, but the van and trailer are perfectly level when hitched. When attaching trailer, the rear drops about 1. What would you recommend?

asked by: Thomas C

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

A weight distribution system would help with the "hobby horsing" you described on rough pavement.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

You will definitely need a pole tongue adapter like part # RP58393 that you referenced since WD systems are designed for A-frame trailers and your boat trailer has a pole tongue. The Reese weight distribution system part # RP66022 has a tongue weight range of 600-1,200 lbs which should be about right for your trailer.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Answer 1

Because your trailer is a straight-tongue or pole-tongue trailer, you will need a pole-tongue adapter like #RP58393. For a weight distribution system, I recommend Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution with Sway Control part #RP66561. This system is…

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Answer 2

I have a solution for you, but the Pro Series Weight Distribution System part #49570 that you referenced is not recommended for use with surge brakes if you are using a sway control bar like #83660. Instead, for a similar rated system that would be…

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Answer 3

What you need for your boat trailer is a pole tongue adapter like part #RP58393. This product is designed to work on trailers with straight tongues just like your boat trailer. I attached a picture of what it looks like installed. The best way to…

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Answer 4

I spoke with my contact at Reese about pole tongue adapter #RP58393 and got some measurements for you. At the front it is 18.75 inches wide overall. At the back it is 22.98 inches wide overall. The frame height where the weight distribution brackets…

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Answer 5

There is a way to use a weight distribution system like the part #BLUE45FR with a straight or pole tongue trailer like what you have. All you need is a pole tongue adapter like part #RP3280 for if your setup will have a tongue weight of lower than…

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Answer 6

There is a reason for your sway problem. You may have too little tongue weight for the boat trailer to be stable behind the RV. If the boat is lightweight and the engine is on the back this can cause the tongue weight to be reduced and this will…

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Answer 7

The Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems #RP58393 can only be used with Reese weight distribution systems like the part #RP66542. Blue Ox has a pole tongue adapter with the part #BXW4023.

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Answer 8

Woah, that's a pretty heavy boat! Weight distribution systems are typically rated by the range of tongue weights they can cover. If you've positively confirmed the as-loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your boat to be 1200 lbs (see…

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Answer 9

You will need to use a pole tongue adapter, like #RP58393 that you have referenced. A pole tongue adapter which will allow you to hook up a weight distribution system to your trailer like Reese Steadi-Flex, #RP66560. I have included a link to the…

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Answer 10

I went out into our warehouse and measured the Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter part #RP58393 and found that it would add 3-1/4 inches to the top of the trailer frame it was installed on in the front and 3-1/2 inches in back.

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Answer 11

I believe I understand what you're needing. It sounds like you're going to need the Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems #RP58393. This platform will provide a mounting space for the lift brackets of almost any…

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Answer 12

If the manufacturer of your trailer says it's okay to use weight distribution and a pole tongue adapter like the part #RP58393 with your aluminum trailer you can but we have found that most manufacturers of aluminum trailers will say not to use…

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Weight Distribution Recommendation for 2006 GMC Savana Towing Ranger Tug Boat 25 ft

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