Is Weight Distribution Hitch Needed on 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Pulling 5000-lb Toy Hauler Trailer  

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A weight distribution hitch, either with or without sway control, is called for under specific towing circumstances: if your trailer weight (GTW) is more than 50 percent of your vehicle's weight (GVWR); if the rear of your tow vehicle sags when the trailer is hooked up; or if your vehicle headlights point upward. These and other conditions that merit a WD system are detailed in the linked article.

Weight distribution systems and rear-axle suspension kits do not address the same issues. Timbren kits are great for heavy loads in your truck bed but are not going to deliver the same benefit as a weight distribution hitch, namely moving some of the trailer tongue weight (TW) forward onto the truck's front axle to keep your steering and braking performance intact. If your trailer's handling gives you reasons for concern then you probably will be better off with a WD hitch with built-in sway prevention.

As long as your hitch is rated for WD systems (it will say so on its safety sticker) then you can select one based on your trailer's fully-loaded ready-to-tow tongue weight. This is the key for choosing a system that has stiff enough spring bars to push the tongue weight onto the front axle without being so stiff that it results in erratic handling. Ideally your actual measured tongue weight will fall in the mid-to-upper-end of a system's operating range. Please refer to the linked article on tongue weight.

You can use the link provided to select a system based on your measured TW. I suggest a system with sway prevention, which stops sway from starting in the first place, rather than one that corrects it after it starts. For a 700-lb TW Reese offers an excellent option in their Strait-Line Weight Distribution System # RP66084 which uses trunnion style bars that offer excellent ground clearance.

expert reply by: Adam R

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