Recommended Weight Distribution System for Travel Trailer Rated for 9,000 lbs GVWR

Question:

I recently just purchased a 33 ft travel trailer with a rating of 9000lbs gvwr ,6785 dry weight ,and a 875 hitch weight. My question is on the hitch weight if that is the weight dry or loaded to max ? This is holding me up on what weight distribution I should purchase because I don’t know if 875 is my starting point I don’t want to purchase something with to high of a rating or opposite and have it to low

asked by: Josh

Expert Reply:

The hitch weight they give you is based on the dry (unloaded) weight of the trailer. You are wise in asking that question because you are correct that you don't want to have a system rated too low for your trailer. Also remember that weight distribution systems are rated for total tongue weight, which includes not only the loaded tongue weight but also any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. You want the total tongue weight to fall close to the middle of the range ideally. I've linked an article to assist.

With your dry tongue weight being about 13 percent of your trailer weight, I recommend basing your system off about 15% of the GVWR. For your weight distribution system I recommend the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 15,000 lbs GTW, 1,500 lbs TW # RP66130 which is rated for total tongue weights between 800 and 1,500 lbs. With this system I recommend the hitch ball # C40030 and shank # RP54970.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

expert reply by: Jason S