Weight Distribution Hitch for Short A-Frame Trailer Tongue
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Question:
My 2018 US Cargo 16-foot enclosed trailer has a really short A frame tongue. From the tip of coupler to the enclosed box, the tongue measures 25 inches. It’s a 5x2 frame. I need to add weight distribution hitch due to trailer weight, plus I want a more stable ride. The trailer is tall which doesn’t help stability issues with cross winds as well. But I can’t WD hitch that fits that short tongue length. Would the Curt Short-Arm Weight Distribution System with Shank - Trunnion Bar - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW work? Its item # C17331. The Spring-bar length is 28-3/8. Thus, it has to be installed on that long of tongue to work, and 25 inches won’t work, correct? Any other ideas for WD hitches? The hitch on my 2017 Armada is rated at 850 lbs TW. Towing capacity is 8500 lbs. My trailer, fully loaded, weighs 4550 lbs. The Armada weighs 6900 lbs fully loaded GVWR is 7500 lbs. I am using a Hayes electric sway control, but would like to add some active control as well like the Reese Dual Cam High-Performance Sway Control Item # RP26002. Tongue weight is usually kept around 13-14 of trailer I am hauling snowmobiles and can move them around. Thanks!
asked by: John F
Helpful Expert Reply:
It seems like you have the basics of choosing an effective weight distribution system down, but just to be thorough it bears repeating that in order to choose the best weight distribution system, you will first need to know your total tongue weight (TTW), which is the tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your 2017 Nissan Armada.
Since your trailer weighs 4,550 lbs fully loaded, depending on how much weight you have behind the rear axle of your Armada a good estimate for TW is around 650 lbs. With that, you could use the Curt Short-Arm Weight Distribution System # C17331 but you would need to use the Bolt-On Chain Hangers # C17005 which will bolt to the side of your trailer frame and not your trailer tongue. With this system you would need a hitch ball as well; # A-90 for a 2" ball or # 19286 for a 2-5/16" ball.
