Replacement Hitch Head for Reese Straight-Line 17K Weight Distribution System

Question:

I need your help to find a weight distribution hitch. I am buying a TT 3 axle 6000 lb axles 34’ race car trailer with living quarters. Dry weight unloaded is 8500 lbs. Loaded weight will depend on which race car I am hauling and all my gear but will be a minimum of 12,000 lbs to no more than 15,000 lbs. I have a Ram 2500 diesel truck with a class 5 hitch and the sticker on the hitch says 20k capacity. The trailer has the Reese Dual Cam HP sway control part # 26002 already installed and a set of Reese trunion style bars. The seller is not including the weight distribution head, but he is including the trunion bars that are only rated for 12,000 GTW so I think I need a heavier set of bars. Bottom line: Can you recommend a weight distribution hitch setup that will include everything I need for the trailer weights I noted AND that will work with the Reese 26002 swag control setup? To help you figure this out, when the trailer is level the ball socket sits at a height of 21” from ground to top of the ball socket and the Ram’s class 5 hitch sits 22” to the bottom of the hitch shaft and 24 1/2” to the top of the hitch shaft. Based on this information I hope you can determine what size I need. What do you recommend with. 2 1/2@ shank that will fit the RP58167 Reese Weight Distribution Head, give me a 6-8” drop for that head and still allow my tailgate to clear the electric tongue motor head?

asked by: Jeff T

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thank you for all of the details and photos!

The Replacement Head # RP58167 and Curt Hitch Ball # C40008 are what you need to complete the 12K system.

Since this same head is used for the 12K and 17K systems all you need to do is get two of the 1.7K tongue weight arms # 66010 to upgrade to the higher rated system. By using the larger arms you get the 17K kit # RP66075 which has a tongue weight range of 1,100 lbs - 1,700 lbs that's perfect for either loaded weight you mentioned needing.

The trick to finding an extended shank that works best for your application is to make sure it's rated for the higher tongue weight as well. The best option for you is the Gen-Y Torsion Weight Distribution Shank # 325-GH-1102 since it's rated high enough and it measures 11-3/4" or 13-1/4" length depending on which mounting hole you're using. If this gives you enough clearance, great! If not, then you might just want to stick with a standard shank like the Blue Ox # BXW4028 which is rated high enough but only extends out 9" instead. You may have to turn your electric tongue jack or find a different solution to open up your tailgate though.

Attached are some review videos for you to check out.