Weight Distribution Hitch Recommendation for 6000 lb Grand Design Imagine Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a new Grand Design XLS Imagine 22MLE on order and need to upgrade my hitch. Im estimating my loaded weight to be somewhere at or near 6,000 pounds. Im guessing that my tongue weight will be near 720 pounds 6,000 X 12. Ive been looking at the Blue Ox Track Pro but having trouble deciding between the 800 pound and the 1,000 pound versions. Im not feeling comfortable with the 720 pounds being so close to the 800 pound capacity. And Im not sure how badly the 22MLE will get bounced around at 6,000 pounds on 10,000 pound spring bars. I suspect the 1K version is the right choice but looking for a little reassurance. Also, anyone know what the hitch ball height should be for the MLE? I keep getting conflicting reports. Help?! Thanks!

asked by: Gary P

Expert Reply:

The most accurate way to spec out a weight distribution system is to positively determine the tongue weight of the RV when it's fully loaded up as you'd typically have it when towing. To that figure, you'd add the weight of anything carried in the bed or cargo area of the tow vehicle that's behind the rear axle. This combined weight which is sometimes referred to as total tongue weight is the weight you'll use when choosing the proper weight distribution system for your needs. In your case, this isn't possible since you don't have the RV yet.

According to the specs I found online, the dry hitch weight of the 2021 Grand Design XLS Imagine 22MLE is 490 lbs. With a GVWR of 6995 lbs, your tongue weight would be somewhere in the range of 700-900 lbs which puts you right on the line between the # BLU77FR on the high side which is good for 800-1000 lbs of tongue weight and # BLU47FR which is good for 600-800 lbs. That's about as close as I can get you without actually weighing the trailer's tongue weight and the weight of stuff carried behind the tow vehicle rear axle.

So, you could possibly wait until you get the trailer and confirm the tongue weight, and then choose between the two Blue Ox TrackPro systems, or you could go with a system that would have one offering that covers the entire 600-1000 lb possible range of tongue weights like the Equal-i-zer # EQ37100ET. A third option would be to choose the higher rated # BLU77FR TrackPro using your 720 lb guess plus the weight of stuff in the rear of the tow vehicle.

I'd personally recommend the Equal-i-zer system, as they make an awesome product, their customer support is second to none and because we know without guessing that it'll cover the tongue weight of your Grand Design XLS Imagine, even if you have it loaded up to near the GVWR.

I've linked to some videos for the Equal-i-zer and the TrackPro systems mentioned above that will show how the systems are set up.