Recommended 1,200 lbs Spring Bars for a Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System

Question:

Hi, I have a reese straight line cam wd hitch with 800lb trunnion bars, I upgraded our travel trailer to a 33ft travel trailer with dry weight of 6500lbs and dry hitch weight 775lbs. do i need to upgrade my trunnion bars to the 1200lbs? I have been having problems with trailer sway and starting to get that under control, but not there yet, I think I need to move weight more to the front of the trailer as the 51gal. fresh water tank and bedroom with a bed slideout is in the rear of camper. I have done some weighing of the camper on the cat scales as much as I know how too and I believe the tongue is around 870lbs without clothes and and full tank of fresh water. Would the 1200lb bars help with sway? I have a 2023 Ram 2500 crew cab with 3110 payload and can pull 17168 with 10000 gvwr. When hooking up to the camper without the bars hooked up, truck s 2inches, I cant really use a lot of chain to lift the camper tongue as it makes rear of truck to light and front of camper not level too high. Any thoughts would help. Maybe the straight line hitch isnt properly installed for this camper and truck. The hitch was set up on a ram 1500. Thank You.

asked by: Dave

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help! The bars on your 800 lbs Strait-Line Weight Distribution System item # RP66083 are way under capacity for your trailer. That system works with tongue weight ranges from 400 - 800 lbs. You're out of that range without clothes and water and need to upgrade to the 1,200 lbs Replacement Trunnion Spring Bar item # RP66009. These are sold individually so you will need two. These bars work with tongue weight ranges from 600 lbs - 1,200 lbs. It'll will convert your item # RP66083 system to the item # RP66084 you were looking at.

Trucks in general are sitting higher from the factory and the Ram trucks seem to be the tallest. I recommend upgrading your weight distribution shank to one with a taller drop so you can get your trailer and hitch level without sacrificing adjustments on your weight distribution system. The best option is going to be the Reese Weight Distribution Shank item # RP69FR. This will give you an extra 3-3/4" of drop to work with over the shank that is included with the Strait-Line systems.

expert reply by: Jerred H