Weight Distribution and Sway Control Recommendation For a Pole Tongue Snowmobile Trailer

Question:

I recently purchased an aluminum inline 7x12foot v-nose snowmobile trailer with a pole tongue. The trailer has a 5ft V, so trailer is actually 17foot long. My tow vehicle is a 2007 GMC Envoy Denali. I had trailer and sleds weighed and is 2860lbs combined. Tongue weight was determined to be 400lbs. Towing the other day with 20-30mph cross winds made thing a little unstable and so Im looking for some recommendations for improving the stability while towing. Apparently I will need a pole tongue adapter but what which one? Which load distribution system would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help

asked by: Dave R

Expert Reply:

The first factor that we will want to check is how much room is available on your pole tongue. To use weight distribution with a pole tongue, you will need a pole tongue adapter. Our best option is the Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter, # RP58393, because it requires the least amount of tongue space. This adapter must mount at least 29 inches back from the center of the ball coupler on your trailer. If you do not have 29 inches available, then there are no adapters available and at that point we will want to look into suspension enhancement to improve your ride quality while towing.

If you have enough room for the adapter, then the weight distribution system that I recommend for you is the Reese Steadi-Flex System, # RP66558. This system uses integrated friction sway control, which is compatible with a pole tongue adapter. This system also has a tongue weight capacity range from 400 lbs to 600 lbs which would work well with the 400 lb tongue weight of your trailer. This system comes with the correct shank so you would just need a properly sized ball, # 19286 (2-5/16 inch diameter) or # A-90 (2 inch diameter).

The most important thing to consider when choosing a weight distribution system is the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer. You must also consider the weight of any cargo that is loaded behind the rear axle of your 2007 GMC Envoy Denali. If the weight of any additional gear that you will load in your vehicle or trailer will bring take the tongue weight over 600 lbs, then you will want to step up to the next size system, # RP66559. The hitch balls that I mentioned above will work with this system as well.

I have included links to the installation instructions for the Steadi-Flex systems as well as two articles on weight distribution systems and tongue weight for you to check out.

If weight distribution won't work for you, then your next best option is to enhance the suspension on your Envoy. This will reduce sag and improve stability when towing. For your Envoy, I recommend installing the Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs, # F4108, because the adjustability of air springs allows you to increase the air pressure when you are towing and decrease the air pressure for everyday driving so you will never know they are there.