Weight Distribution for a 7,000 Pound Travel Trailer and 2015 Toyota Tacoma  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

To choose a weight distribution system you will need to go by the total tongue weight of the set up. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

The 7,000 pounds is the gross trailer weight rating which is the most that the trailer can weigh. You may not have it loaded that heavy all the time if at all so we will use 7,000 pounds as the high end.

Tongue weight is usually 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. At 7,000 pounds gross trailer weight that would be 700 to 1,050 pounds. But what is the dry gross trailer weight? I checked with Winnebago and it appears to be 3,705 pounds dry. So if the dry tongue weight is 410 pounds that would be 11 percent of 3,705. If we apply the same 11 percent to the gross at 7,000 pounds that would make the tongue weight 770 pounds. So our tongue weight range is 410 up to 1,050 pounds as described above.

That is a fairly large range to cover but the trailer will weigh more once loaded and ready to tow. Plus if you have anything loaded behind the rear axle of the Tacoma that will count towards the tongue weight too.

Fastway system # FA94-00-1000 is rated for 600 to 1,000 pounds tongue weight so it is possible that this system will work out fine. You will also need a ball such as # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch.

Also you cannot exceed the tongue weight or gross trailer weight capacity of the hitch on your 2015 Toyota Tacoma. The hitch might have a separate rating listed when using weight distribution so look for a sticker on the hitch that says this. Whatever the maximum tongue weight is for the hitch is what you have to go by. Weight distribution will not increase the capacities of a hitch. It will only maximize what it is capable of.

expert reply by: Michael H

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