Weight Distribution Recommendation for 2014 Ram 1500 Towing 5,700 lb Trailer

Question

Question:

My 2014 Ram 1500 Hemi has a max tow rating of 9900 lbs. It has an air suspension 4 corner, and Ive been towing a 5000 lb 25 ft. trailer for the last few years without difficulty, without a weight distribution system. My ride has been great - I havent noticed issues with sway. Now Im considering a new trailer, with a total length of 32 feet, and a dry weight of about 5700 lbs. Im wondering if I should now consider a weight distribution system, or if I might still be fine without one. P.S. Im also wondering if I did get a WDS, if the added shank length would allow me to also carry an ATV in the bed of the truck, with the tailgate down. The current setup is to short to allow this. Plus, maybe the added payload of the ATV isnt a good idea?

asked by: Ryan

0

Expert Reply:

Anytime the weight of the trailer is more than 50 percent of the weight of the tow vehicle a weight distribution system will be a great idea. You are at that figure easily so you would benefit from using a WD system.

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.

So you'd have at least half of the weight of the ATV needing to count as tongue weight since it will be behind the rear axle. Realistically...probably not a great idea. Plus it will be hard to get the system out far enough behind the tailgate to allow it to open.

For the tongue weight your trailer would most likely have the Reese System part # RP66541 that you referenced would work great as it has a tongue weight range of between 400 and 800 lbs.

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

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Answer 1

If the trailer you plan on towing weighs more than half of the weight of the tow vehicle we recommend the use of weight distribution. The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup.…

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Answer 2

To choose a weight distribution system you will need to go by the total tongue weight of the set up. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind…

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Answer 3

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…

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Answer 4

When using a weight distribution system on a trailer the weight on the axles will stay the same. The tongue weight of the trailer will be distributed from being basically all on the rear axle of the tow vehicle to being also on the front axle of the…

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Answer 5

The system that you bought from us 5 years ago was #RP66541 and it is still the same now as it was then! This means that you can replace your 800 pound spring bars with the 1,200 pound bars. For a single bar it is #RP66009. You would need 2 of them…

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Answer 6

You are on the right track. You want to pick a weight distribution system that the tongue weight range of your trailer will fall right into the middle of. The amount of chain links on a system like the #RP66541 is how the spring tension is adjusted.…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 9

Weight distribution works to distribute the tongue weight of a trailer up to the front axle of the tow vehicle so that it will sit more level and handle/brake better. That being said the systems do not "reduce" tongue weight or allow you to…

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Answer 10

Hey Donald, the best Blue Ox weight distribution would be the pat #BXW0550 as it has a perfect tongue weight range for your 450 lb tongue weight trailer.

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Answer 11

Most of the 2-5/16 inch hitch balls will use either a 1-inch diameter shank or 1-1/4 inch diameter shank. The nut size on a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch shank, like the Tow Ready 2-5/16 Inch Hitch Ball, part #19286, will use a 1-7/8 inch socket. A…

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Answer 12

Curt recommends the use of 250 ft/lbs of torque when tightening the nuts of their hitch balls with a 1 inch diameter shank like the part #C40034 that you referenced. The general rule is for a 3/4" shank tighten to 150 ft/lbs For a 1" shank…

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