Selecting Replacement Trunnion Weight Distribution Spring Bars for Reese WD System

Updated 12/16/2014 | Published 12/15/2014

Question:

I have a 2012 keystone hideout 25rks, dry weight is 5945 with a tongue weight listed by the manufacture of 660lbs. I carry an additional load of approx. 1000lbs will a set of Reese 750lbs bars be sufficient or should I upgrade to the RP66009 bars? I tow with a 2013 Silverado 1500 with all the factory tow equipment/options. I have been having trouble with sway, my current set up also includes the old style dual cam sway control. Thank you,

asked by: Wayne

Expert Reply:

The best-performing weight distribution/sway control systems are those that prevent sway from occurring in the first place, rather than trying to stop it once it starts. Reese Dual-Cam systems are among the better options in such a set-up.

It is absolutely possible to swap out your existing trunnion spring bars to new ones with a more appropriate weight capacity for your trailer's tongue weight.

The way to do this is to measure your trailer's tongue weight with a scale like the # e99044 when the trailer is fully-loaded with all gear and supplies, with full water and propane tanks, and everything else just as it will be when you head out. Knowing your exact fully-loaded tongue weight is critical to choosing a system (or new spring bars) with the right amount of tension - enough to provide the weight shift forward onto your truck's front axle but not so much that it results in a jumpy or erratic ride quality. In addition to what you measure at the trailer tongue you must add the weight of anything in the truck bed that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. Once you know this total effective tongue weight you can select appropriately-rated spring bars.

Ideally your effective tongue weight will fall into the middle of the operating range for the spring bars you're using. The replacement trunnion bar you referenced, Reese # RP66009, is sold individually and rated (when two are used together, of course) for tongue weights up to 1200-lbs. If your total effective tongue weight were to come out at 900 to 1000-lbs, then these bars would be just right.

How you load your trailer can also have some bearing on the amount of sway. You can try moving more of your loaded cargo more forward toward the trailer tongue; this can help to reduce the tendency for sway to start.

expert reply by: Adam R