Weight Distribution and Sway Control for a 2012 GMC Sierra and 2013 Keystone Bullet Trailer

Question:

I just bought a 2013 KeyStone Bullet Trailer Shipping Weight 4378 lbs Carrying Capacity 2097 lbs Hitch 475 lbs Length 27foot 0 I am pulling it with a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 with dealer installed trailer integrated brake and hitch. I can tow 9500 lbs Tongue Carrying 600 lbs Tongue Distribution 1100 lbs Which say top 2 sway and weight systems are the best for my needs?

asked by: Jim D

Expert Reply:

When choosing weight distribution you will need to determine the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow and then add to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the truck to get the total tongue weight.

So if the trailer when loaded weight is 6,475 (dry weight plus carrying capacity) and you are not carrying anything behind the rear axle in the truck, that would make the tongue weight 647 to 971 pounds (10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight).

Based on this I would go with a system that is rated for 600 to 1,200 pounds like you have referenced, # RP66074. This system uses trunnion bars which provide more ground clearance and are easier to install, and dual-cam sway control which is a proactive systems that aggressively resists the start of sway by forcing the vehicle and trailer to ride in straight line.

To this system you will also need to add a shank such as # RP54970 and a properly sized ball like # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch diameter.

If your tongue weight will be lower, around 600 pounds total when calculated, then I recommend a 400 to 800 pound system like # RP66073 which also has the trunnion bars and dual-cam sway control and you would need to add the shank and ball to this system as well. The Reese Strait-Line system is the optimal type of set up and I think you will be very happy with it. I have included some links that should help.