Weight Distribution Recommendation for a 2008 Chevy Silverado and 2013 Ford Flex

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Question:

I have 2 vehicles that will be towing same trailer. Trailer enclosed 6x12 TA. Curb TW 270#. dry weight 2100#. GVWR 7000#. Vehicle 1: 2013 Ford Flex EB with WD tw 450#, GVWR 4500#. Vehicle 2 2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD with WD TW~1400#, GVWR ~14,000#. I will be towing with the Flex with about 1000# cargo. With Silverado, 3000-4000# cargo. I am considering the Reese Strait Line trunnion with sway cams with 600# TW. Should I just get Higher weight rated trunnion bars for heavier loads with silverado? What are your suggestions?

asked by: Dan H

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Expert Reply:

Given the vastly different weights of the trailer depending on which vehicle you will be towing with, you will most likely have to get a second set of spring bars.

If you will be towing primarily with the 2008 Chevy Silverado then use system # RP66074 rated for 600 to 1,200 pounds tongue weight. But if you will be primarily towing with the 2013 Ford Flex then use system # RP66072 rated for 200 to 600 pounds (though you will be limited to the 450 pound capacity of the hitch).

Then you would need a second set of spring bars depending on which system you get as the primary. If you need the lower capacity spring bars as the extras then use # RP23227 (you would need to order 2). And if you need the higher capacity bars as the extras then use # RP66009 (you would need to order 2).

Since the two different vehicles also have different heights, you will need a shank that offers a fair amount of adjustment so you can tow the trailer level with both vehicles. Shank # RP3215 offers 11-1/2 inches of rise or 5-3/4 inches drop so it has the widest range of the compatible shanks.

And finally you will need a properly sized ball. Use ball # A-90 for a 2 inch or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch. I have included links to our articles on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

Since the trailer tongue weight is so high and you have a 2-1/2 inch trailer hitch, I recommend Strait-Line Weight Distribution system, #RP66075. This system has a tongue weight capacity range of 1,000 to 1,700 pounds. The problem is that you may…

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Answer 2

Yes, you can add a friction sway control unit like the part #83660 to the Strait Line system part #RP66075 that you have as the head of the WD system has a tab with a hole for the ball of the system to attach to. Normally the Strait Line's…

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Answer 3

Based on the capacities of your hitch and the weight of your trailer you will have to use a WD system designed for a 2-1/2 inch hitch. There are no Blue Ox options so you would have to use a Reese like the part #RP66075 that you referenced. You would…

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Answer 4

You will need a Curt Hitch Receiver Reducer #C45408 on your 2020 Ford F-250 with the 3" hitch. This will give you a sleeve adapter to reduce your 3" receiver to either a 2-1/2" receiver or 2" receiver. The Reese Strait-Line Weight…

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Answer 5

The Reese Strait-Line system should be chosen according to your loaded tongue weight. Ideally you want your actual tongue weight to fall in the middle of the tongue weight range of the weight distribution hitch. Since your dry tongue weight is 1,180…

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Answer 6

Well if the adapter says not to use it with a weight distribution system it would have to be that they never tested it with a WD system or they did and found that it damaged the adapter or the hitch when used. A WD system does put a different kind of…

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Answer 7

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 8

We do carry the 33" Ark Stabilizer Jack that you are looking for with part #ARK77FR. I was able to track down a few drawings that you should find helpful. These are for the 30" #ARK94FR and the 24" #ARK34FR Stabilizer jacks. I'm…

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Answer 9

Increasing the tire and wheel size can increase the height of the trailer but it's usually quite minimal. Before you do anything else you should see if the pin box can be adjusted. Although you have to be careful here since This will lower the…

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Answer 10

Hey Joe, yes the Lippert stabilizer jack part #LC298707 does fit your Grand Design Transcend 245RL but it is sold individually so if you wanted a set for the front and the rear you would need to order a quantity of two.

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Answer 11

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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Weight Distribution Recommendation for a 2008 Chevy Silverado and 2013 Ford Flex

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