Weight Distribution Recommendation for a Truck with Slide-In Camper Towing a Horse Trailer

Question

Question:

Hello. I am confused by your explanation of selection the proper load distribution hitch. It states: To determine the proper weight rating for a weight-distribution system, you must first determine your trailers tongue weight. Then add to that the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. These two measurements make up the tongue weight rating for a weight-distribution system.: My horse trailer total weight fully loaded will be about 7400 lbs with a tongue weight estimated at 750 lbs if the load is evenly distributed. How do I figure what the weight of the cargo, behind the rear axle of my tow vehicle. That is not measureable on anything I know of. I will have a 1550 lb slide in camper on the truck. It is a1998 ,Dodge Ram, diesel, short bed. Total weight of the truck alone without camper is 8800 lbs At times I will be pulling the trailer without the camper on, and the horse trailer may not be fully loaded.

asked by: Vince M

0

Expert Reply:

Given that you have a slide-in camper it can be hard to determine how much of the weight is behind the rear axle. So what I recommend is to determine how much of the camper is behind the rear axle; half, 30 percent, whatever it happens to be and then take the weight of that much of the campers total weight and apply it to the trailers tongue weight to get a good estimate.

So lets say the camper weighs 1550 pounds and half of it is behind the rear axle. You would add 775 pounds to the tongue weight of the trailer, estimated at 750 pounds, for a total of 1,525 pounds. And then choose a system based on that.

Some weight distribution systems have a tongue weight capacity range which will work out well for you because you will not always be fully loaded or have the camper in place in the bed. This reduces the tongue weight. I believe that if you go with a system rated for either 600 to 1200 pounds or a system rated for 800 to 1500 pounds, you should be good. But you want to make sure that whatever system you choose is based on what the maximum tongue weight is going to be (camper in the bed and trailer fully loaded). That way if you are in that scenario you will have an adequate system.

So for a system rated for 600 to 1200 pounds I recommend Strait-Line system, # RP66074. For a system rated for 800 to 1500 pounds go with Strait-Line system, # RP66130. Neither system comes with a shank because you will need to choose one based on the rise or drop you will need to tow the trailer level. I have included a link to the shanks that fit these systems. Only 2 are rated up to 1500 pounds though, # RP54970 and # RP63971.

You will also need a properly sized ball. Given the weight of the trailer you most likely need a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286. I have included some helpful links to the right on weight distribution and tongue weight for you.