Product Expert Lindsey S's Opinion
This weight-distribution system will help to evenly distribute the load over the axles of both your tow vehicle and trailer for a smooth, controlled ride. Shank included. Hitch ball sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
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Create a stable ride for your tow vehicle and trailer with a weight-distribution hitch. Adding spring bars to your towing system applies leverage, which transfers the load that is pushing down on the rear of your vehicle to all the axles on both your tow vehicle and your trailer, resulting in an even distribution of weight throughout. The result is a smooth, level ride, as well as the ability to tow the maximum capacity of your hitch.
The tongue weight rating is the most important factor in determining which size weight-distribution system you should use. If the bars of the system you choose are rated too high for your setup, they will create a rigid ride, which can result in a bouncing trailer. If, on the other hand, the bars are not rated high enough, the system will be unable to properly distribute the weight, rendering it virtually useless.
To determine the proper weight rating for a weight-distribution system, you must first determine your trailer's tongue weight. Then add to that the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. These two measurements make up the tongue weight rating for a weight-distribution system.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today, we are going to be taking a look at part number 17300. This is the Curt Trunnion the style weight distribution system. It's going to include the adjustable shank as well as the 58 inch hitch pin and clip To hold this inside of your 2" x 2" hitch. This unit is going to evenly distribute the weight of your axles of both the tow vehicle and your trailer. It's going to provide stability and control. Ultimately, the unit is going to create a more level ride for both the tow vehicle and your trailer.
Now, this unit is going to feature the Trunnion style string bars. These are going to be constructed of solid forged steel for strength and durability. Here at the brackets, we are going to have the chains on there. That way, you can adjust the spring bar tension. All you have to do is switch the links in the lift chains to fine tune your system depending on your application. Here at the head assembly, you can see that it does not have a hitch pull.
It's the only thing that is required that is not included with the kit or with this part number. The diameter of that Paul is going to measure an inch and a quarter so that's the size of the shank on the hitch point you need to make sure you have in order to work with this system but this head can be tilted using the traditional washer design. It's going to come with these two washers right here, it's going to come with two different size spacer rivets and it's going to come with the tilt adjustment instructions. These are going to walk you through the different combinations of washer and spacer rivets you can use to get the desired tilt that you need for your application. All you have to do is add or remove the washers, use whatever style rivet that you want for your application and it's going to allow you to tilt that head as needed. There's going to be a space in here, inside the head unit, kind of this whole right here if you can see it.
That's going to be where that spacer rivet goes and then, also it's going to come with a set screw to help hold that position, which installs and the bottom hole here in the head assembly The overall unit is made from a steel construction, has a really nice black powder coat finish on it. That's going to ensure that it lasts a long time and that it stands up well against the elements and is protected from rusting and corrosion. This bar right here is going to be our snap up lever, this is going to ease the installation of our brackets by being able to gain the proper leverage to raise and lower the snap up brackets. It's also going to reduce the lifting required by the trailer jack, really simple though. You can see these brackets, the position and the up position is going to be held in place with that pen right there so you can lower it and set the chain where you need to, raise it up using the lift bracket, it goes over that portion there, it's got a nice rubberized handle on the end of it so you can get a nice, secure grip and it's got a bend in it for even more leverage and also just to make sure that you remain a safe distance away from the moving components on the system. Secure is in place using the large clip, this site over here is going to be identical.
Now, you we're going to get two sets of bolts for the lift brackets. You can see I have the longer bolts installed. It's going to be what holds the lift brackets to the trailer frame. Now if you have a really large A frame, according to the instructions, you can figure out whether or not you may need to use the 2 inch long bolts instead of the 4 inch long bolts. The 2 inch long bolts are supplied with this part number. That way, you can use whatever ones are going to best fit your particular application. Now, these brackets are going to take up about 4 inches of space along the trailer frame and then, the opening right here from inside edge to the inside edge would measure 2 3/4 of an inch so you need to make sure that your trailer frame is not wider than that measurement. That way, it will fit perfectly and the two and three-quarter inch opening is ideal to fit trailer widths or trailer frameworks of 2 1/2 inches. Again, the system is going to include everything you see here on the table. I have it all assembled. You've got the large bolts and the washers as well is the lock nuts to hold the unit onto the adjustable shank. The adjustable shank is made from a solid steel construction, very strong and durable and it's going to have that black powder coat finish on it as well. Now, the head unit right here has the small hole located on each side. That way, it's designed to accept a friction weight control system. The only thing about having those holes on either side is you can put that frictions weight control system on either side of the unit that you need to. When it comes to the tongue weight on this weight distribution system, the maximum tongue weight is going to be 600 pounds. The maximum gross towing weight is 6000 pounds. This is designed by 2" x 2" trailer hitch receivers that are rated for used with a weight distribution system. Now, back here on the shank, measuring from the very end of the portion that goes into the hitch to the very front face, that's going to give us a shank length of 12 inches. We're going to have a six hole design on that adjustable shank so you can adjust the head as needed. It can be used in the drop or rise position. With it in the rise position and the head assembly at the very top of mounting holes, that's going to give us a maximum rise of 6 inches. That's measuring from the inside top edge of the receiving inaudible 05:05 hitch to the top of our ball platform. If we we're to put this over in the drop position and lower the head to the very lowest setting, that's going to give us a maximum drop of 2 inches, again, from the inside top edge of the receiving inaudible 05:17 hitch to the top of that ball platform. You're also going to get a nice, detailed set of instructions, this is going to be your owners manual. It's going to walk you through your installation process, the parts list, how to connect to the snap up brackets, how to use the chains to best fit your particular application, it's going to give you some towing tips and safety tips as well as maintenance tips. That's going to do it for today's look at part number 17300. This is the Curt Trunnion style weight distribution system.
Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (13 Customer Reviews)
This weight-distribution system will help to evenly distribute the load over the axles of both your tow vehicle and trailer for a smooth, controlled ride. Shank included. Hitch ball sold separately.
Awesome WD hitch and fits my needs perfectly. I use it to Tow a travel trailer that weighs about 4,200 lbs. and does a good job. When using a WD hitch with this type of bars, UNHOOK the bars before backing in to your campsite to keep from damaging the hitch head. 485305
Weldon - 03/16/2019If you're backing up in a situation where there's no danger of jackknifing, it's not necessary to remove the spring bars. However as you've learned, it doesn't hurt either.
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Mike L - 3/16/2019Great product. 592465
Highly successful in keeping the trailer straight when towing. 513649
Excellent product used many times or our trailer so far. Grease it a little connect & go! 489754
looks great 444120
For my lightweight trailer and Ranger pickup, this hitch is as good as it gets for a low cost and optimum performance. And the folks at etrailer make it simple to choose the correct model and the best price. 435856
Perfect! Great product.... 357300
Ordered over weekend and weight distribution hitch arrived today. Package in great shape now just need weather to brake in MI so I can install on our trailer. Great price and co isn't. 330171
Neal S - 01/05/2018This product really helped with distributing the weight of the camper to all 4 wheels of my tow vehicle. Makes all the difference when towing. love it. 287603
Sal M - 08/25/2017Unbelievable difference in towing - I tow a 21 Foot cuddy w/ a jeep cherokee - 1 trip over a thousand miles - would not even think of it w/ out the stabilizers. awesome product, 246695
I really like the way it works. It took a little work to find room on the trailer frame but after moving the battery bracket it fit just fine. It might be a little overkill for my full size tent trailer, (Coleman Grandview SP) with two kings and a side slide out. But with a SUV tow vehicle the extra weight on the front axle was worth it. Thanks, Kevin 241306
Arrived quickly, went together easily, especially considering this was my first time doing such a task. Got a few hundred miles on the rig at this point, all is well, would purchase again. 200748
Exellent product and Etrailer.com is it pure joy to do business with. 99823
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