Can Dual-Cam Sway Control Be Used on a Trailer with a Tongue Weight Over 1,200 Pounds

Question:

I just bought an Arctic Fox 30U trailer. The dry hitch weight is 1065. I had a Arctic Fox 29V which has a hitch weight of approx. 1040lbs. I used the reese dual cam system for towing on my old trailer and was hoping to use it on my new trailer as it worked so well. I noticed that you dont recommend the dual cam for hitch weights over 1200 lbs. Im real close to this with my old and new trailer do you see any problems with using the dual cam for this weight ? Im towing with a 2008 3/4 ton chevy diesel. Thanks for your reply

asked by: Loren L

Expert Reply:

There are Strait-Line weight distribution systems rated up to 1,500 pounds tongue weight and they use dual-cam sway control so on a 1,200 pounds system it is no problem either. And since you are under the 1,200 pounds you should be good to go.

However, you have to look at the total tongue weight of the set up to make sure a 1,200 pound system is enough. You mentioned a dry hitch weight of 1,065 pounds. This figure is going to increase when the trailer is loaded. Also, you have to add in the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle as tongue weight.

So if you started at 1,065 pounds and then loaded the trailer the tongue weight will go up. Let's say it went up 100 pounds. So now you are at 1,165 pounds. But you also have 100 pounds of gear behind the rear axle of the truck. That takes it to 1,265 pounds total and that exceeds the capacity of the system.

What you could do in this situation is replace the spring bars. But I would need to know either the part number of the system you have or its approximate age and if the bars are trunnion or round bars. I have included some helpful links on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H