Weight Distribution Recommendation for Towing Trailer that Weighs 5,500 lbs When Loaded

Question

Question:

We are buying a Lance 1985 with dry weight 4300# and will tow with 2015 GMC Sierra with the 3.08 gearing. Havent run numbers with a loaded trailer but would add 1200#s for safety sake so running the trailer at 5500#s need help with the best weight distribution hitch with sway bars to keep us safe. If you can give me a couple of choices that would be most helpful

asked by: Dudley

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Expert Reply:

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 with the loaded trailer weight you mentioned of 5,500 lbs in mind you'd be looking at a tongue weight range of most likely between 550 and 700 lbs which for that I'd highly recommend the Reese Strait Line part # RP66083 which has a tongue weight range of 400 to 800 lbs and also features sway control that works to fight sway before it starts.

If you didn't want sway control we have the Reese kit part # RP66541 which costs less and is same system minus the sway control.

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

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…

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Answer 4

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 5

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 6

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 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

The round or trunnion bars refers to the end of the spring bars. Round bars are typically designed for lighter applications, are a bit harder to install and are usually priced lower than trunnion bars. Trunnion bars are typically designed to be used…

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Answer 11

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 12

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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