How to Adjust Weight Rating of Weight Distribution Hitch to Match Loaded Trailer Tongue Weight

Question

Question:

I have a blue ox BXW0750 weight distribution hitch that is a 750 tongue 8000 tow weight, my camper weights 3500 with tongue weight of 300, will the over sized hitch cause damage to my camper frame?

asked by: Brett H

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

As long as your camper's frame is made of steel and the manufacturer approves use of a weight distribution hitch such as the Blue Ox Sway Pro # BXW0750 you won't hurt the trailer by installing it but you also won't get the best performance from it if the spring bars are rated so much higher than your actual loaded trailer tongue weight.

The actual fully-loaded trailer's tongue weight (TW) should fall in the middle of the system's operating range. If the tow vehicle has any cargo behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator, then this cargo weight should be added to the trailer's own actual loaded TW. For example, if you measure the loaded trailer TW with a scale like # e99044 and find it to be 400-lbs, and you also have a 150-lb generator in the rear of the Durango, then this total of 550-lbs just falls within the operating range for system # BXW0750. This system is appropriate for total TW from 550 to 750-lbs. It would be ideal for a total TW of 650-lbs but it will still work properly with TW as low as 550-lbs.

I recommend you get the scale # e99044 so that you can measure the actual TW of the loaded trailer, eliminating any guesswork and ensuring your system gives you the weight allocation and sway control benefits it is designed to provide.

If you find that you need a lower-capacity system it is easy to simply change out the spring bars to ones that are rated correctly. You do not have to replace the whole system. If your actual total TW falls between 350 and 550-lbs then all you need to do is replace your bars with kit # BXW4005.

expert reply by: Adam R

1

Answer 1

There isn't an exact science to this since each trailer is different. Most applications need about five links showing, but this isn't a set rule. For a greater load weight, use more links; for a smaller load weight, use fewer links.…

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Answer 2

There's a surprisingly easy way you can determine exactly what spring bars you have and therefore exactly what their tongue weight rating is. The bars are going to have dimples on them (see accompanying photo) which is going to tell you the…

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Answer 3

From what I have found, the 749 lbs on your Grand Designs Transcend 297QB is the dry tongue weight. Since you will have propane and other cargo in the trailer that will definitely be over the 750 lb maximum for your current spring bars. Also, any…

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Answer 4

Springs bars from Blue Ox that have two dots (sometimes called dimples or notches) are rated for up to 750 lbs of tongue weight. What you have are the Spring Bars for Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System #BXW4006.

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Answer 5

I spoke with my contact at Roadmaster about how to find the serial number to get the proper adapter to use with the Blue Ox base plates. You will need to spread the 2 arms apart on the tow bar and then look for the sticker where the two arms come…

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Answer 6

The instructions for the Blue Ox Track Pro #BLU47FR are available on the product page towards the bottom, but I've also linked them to this answer for you, as well as a review video that you might find helpful.

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Answer 7

Since the instructions for the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution #BXW1000 state that any air-ride shock absorbers, air springs, or automatic leveling systems need to be disabled or deflated to the manufacturer's minimum recommended pressure…

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Answer 8

If your current springs have 5 leaves then going to a 7 leaf spring will increase the height of the trailer a little and make the trailer more susceptible to sway. Regarding capacity if you go with springs rated higher than what is required it will…

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Answer 9

From what I could find it looks like your 122R (red) and 122Y (amber) lights measure 3.75" x 1.70" x .81". We don't have any replacement lense directly for the GLO-BRITE lights but we do have some similar lights that you could use…

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Answer 10

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 11

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 12

The amount of bow that's put into trailer axles like the #7359765 is based on about how much a trailer is typically going to weigh that has a 3,500 lb capacity. So there's a bit of approximation and obviously it can't be totally perfect…

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How to Adjust Weight Rating of Weight Distribution Hitch to Match Loaded Trailer Tongue Weight

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