Stiff Ride and Bouncing Truck with Strait-Line Weight Distribution System, 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500

Question:

I have a 5500 pound trailer unloaded. The dealer installed the Reese strait line hitch with antisway and 1200 pound tongue weight bars. The trailer seems to pull the back of my chevy 2500 extended cab 2011 and it bounces the truck. Are the bars to large or did they set something up incorrectly? Or will it be fine once I load up the trailer. Thanks

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

The tongue weight of a trailer should be 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. With a weight of 5,500 pounds, that you put the tongue weight at 550 to 825 pounds. You most likely have a system that has a range of 600 to 1,200 pounds tongue weight capacity, like # RP66084. With the trailer empty, your trailer would be on the low side of that range. This would account for a stiff ride or the pulling back sensation you are sensing.

The fact that it is bouncing the truck is an indication that the tongue weight is low. The trailer cannot bounce because it is connected to the truck which makes the truck move also. Once loaded, the tongue weight will increase and it should relieve the problems you are having.

To be certain that the system was installed and set up correctly, I have included links to the installation instructions that covers proper set up and adjustments. By comparing that to how your system is set up, you should be able to pin point any potential errors or changes that need to be made.

I have also included links to a couple of videos that better illustrate how the system installs, sets up, and works.

expert reply by: Michael H