Weight Distribution Recommendation for a 2007 Chevy Suburban and 2009 Jayco JF28bhs

Question:

My suburbans GVWR is 7200 my 2009 Jayco Jayflight 28 BHS has a dry weight of 5400. I have a Equal-i-zer sway control hitch and plan on driving up to Yosimite. My concern is do I have too much trailer for my vehicle or do I need a different hitch?

asked by: Chad R

Expert Reply:

As long as the weight distribution system that you have is rated for the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow then you should have no troubles. When calculating tongue weight, you will need to have the trailer loaded and ready to tow and then add the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle on top of that to get the total tongue weight.

Tongue weight is typically between 10 and 15 percent of gross trailer weight. Make sure that the trailer hitch and the vehicle are also rated for the tongue weight of the trailer. The vehicle should have the towing capacity information in the owners manual. the hitch should have a sticker on it with the capacities.

For example lets say that the gross trailer weight ends up being 6,000 pounds and there is nothing behind the rear axle of the Suburban. That would make the tongue weigh 600 to 900 pounds. You would need to have a system rated at least 1,000 pounds to cover this spread. Check the capacity of your current weight distribution hitch to determine if it is adequate.

If you do need a different system, a 600 to 1,200 pound system like # 49570 that you have referenced, would work well. You would also need a ball like # 19286. I have included a link to the installation instructions and a link to our FAQ on weight distribution for you.

expert reply by: Michael H