Weight Distribution Hitch for 2018 Coleman 263 BH Tandem Axle Travel Trailer GVWR 7600-lbs
Question:
I have a 2018 Coleman 263 BH with a 775 lb tongue weight. I bought the 1000lb Equalizer thinking it was the right one. But now Im starting to question that. The dry weight of the TT is 5820 with a carrying capacity of 1780. Im not carrying that much weight though. Maybe 1200lbs of cargo. My TV is a 2016 Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4. Do you think the 1000lb is enough or should I have bought the 1200lb.
asked by: Matthew T
Expert Reply:
The specs I found for the 2018 Dutchmen Coleman Lantern 263BH tandem axle travel trailer indicate a dry weight of 5871-lbs and a payload capacity of 1729-lbs. Added together these become the GVWR for the trailer, the gross vehicle weight rating, the most it can weigh when fully loaded and ready for the road. In this case that GVWR is 7600-lbs.
The rule of thumb is that a trailer must have tongue weight (TW) of 10 to 15-percent of the trailer's gross weight. I would suggest to try to stay within 12 to 14 percent. If this trailer were loaded up to its maximum 7600-lb capacity the TW figure should range from roughly 900-lbs (about 12%) to roughly 1100-lbs (about 14%).
But if you do not load your trailer to its maximum you may be fine with your current system. The way to know without any doubt is to fully load your trailer for a trip and measure its loaded TW with a scale # e99044. Measure the trailer with all your usual gear and supplies in place, water and propane tanks filled, etc. Also include the weight of any cargo in your Ram that sits behind the rear axle, say a generator or loaded cooler, since this cargo will act like trailer TW as far as the weight distribution system is concerned.
The ideal is that your total TW figure (loaded trailer plus cargo) will fall near the middle of the system's operating range. The Equal-I-zer system # EQ37100ET that you referenced works over a TW range from 600 to 1000-lbs so it would be perfect for total trailer TW of 800-lbs. It may be a touch under-rated but may still be usable. It just depends on your actual total TW.
Do keep in mind that you can alter your loading scheme to reduce the loaded TW a bit. You want to stay within the appropriate range noted above but you do have some ability to tweak this TW through different loading.
If your TW scale measurements shows you are near the 1000-lb top-end limit for your system it is simple enough to swap out the spring bars for ones such as # EQ90-01-1299 which are the ones from the 1200-lb system # EQ37120ET. These bars works from 800 to 1200-lbs and they would be better if your TW is actually 1000-lbs.
Products Referenced in This Question
etrailer Tongue Weight Scale for Campers and Utility Trailers - 2,000-lb Capacity
- Tongue Weight Scale
- Analog Scale
- 2000 lbs
- etrailer
more information >
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 1000 lbs
- 1100 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Replacement Spring Bars for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - Qty 2 - 1,200 lbs TW
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Spring Bars
- 1200 lbs TW
- Square Bar
- Equal-i-zer
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 800 lbs
- 900 lbs
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
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on Weight Distribution Hitch
Robert
1/11/2021
Hello, my trailer dry 5870lbs, TW loaded 7250lbs as per specs. Would Equilizer 4 point 10,000/1000 be ok towing with 16 f-150 max tow?