Which Weight Distribution Style is Better, Trunnion Bar or Round Bar

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Question:

Ive got a Honda Ridgeline (5K tow rating) and plan to pull a travel trailer with about 465lbs tongue weight. From what I understand, the load in the pickup bed needs to be added to the tongue weight, also. So, I was figuring to get a hitch system that would go up another hundred pounds or so. What do you think?

asked by: Samuel D

0

Expert Reply:

You will hear arguments for both, the general consensus around etrailer.com is that trunnion systems are the better design. The bars are very easy to remove and install in the head. Since there is no bend in them, they are considered stronger and more durable. Since the head does not come down and the bars do not stick out of the bottom, there are less ground clearance issues. Some people argue that round bar systems are easier to adjust, but you set the brackets and head once and as long as you are towing the same trailer, you usually do not have to adjust them again.

The top of the line system we offer is the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System with Trunnion Bars like part # RP66074. The trunnion bars are typically easier to install and remove from the head and the Dual Cam sway control system that comes in the Strait-Line system is the top of the line sway control that Reese offers. It is a pro-active system that works to prevent sway before it even starts.

If you are pulling a boat trailer with surge brakes, you would not be able to use a system with Dual Cam sway control. Chain attached systems prevent trailer momentum from activating the surge coupler, so you would need to use a friction system like the # RP66153 kit that you were looking at.

If you write back with the gross weight and tongue weight of your trailer, I can recommend some specific kits for you.

expert reply by: Patrick B

0

Samuel D.

4/18/2010

Ive got a Honda Ridgeline (5K tow rating) and plan to pull a travel trailer with about 465lbs tongue weight. From what I understand, the load in the pickup bed needs to be added to the tongue weight, also. So, I was figuring to get a hitch system that would go up another hundred pounds or so. What do you think?

Patrick B.

4/19/2010

If this is the factory hitch, you will need to check the owner manual to verify the tongue weight capacity of the hitch and truck. Using a larger weight distribution system will not increase the tongue weight capacity. Some hitches have two sets of ratings, one for load carrying and one for weight distribution, so check to see if your Ridgeline has two capacities listed. You have to take the weight of the cargo in the bed, behind the rear axle and add that to the total tongue weight load. For sake of discussion, say your tongue weight capacity with weight distribution is 500 pounds. With your trailer at 465 pounds, that means you can only have 45 pounds of cargo in the bed, behind the rear axle. The weight of the bed cargo will have no effect on which weight distribution system you should select. With a 465 pound tongue weight, I would select a weight distribution that has a 200-600 pound tongue weight range. This would put your trailer about in the middle of the range, which is where you want to be. I will list 3 options below, a sort of good/better/best line up. First would be a basic weight distribution system, part # 49585. It has the right tongue weight range for you and a 10,000 pound gross trailer weight capacity with an included shank. Since it is a travel trailer and probably has a notable length to it, you may want to consider a weight distribution system with sway control. You could go with a friction sway control equipped Reese High Performance WD system like part # RP66151. Same weight range and capacity, includes a shank but has a friction sway control system that works to correct a swaying trailer. Finally, the top of line choice for you would be the Reese Strait-Line WD system part # RP66072. Again, same weight capacities, but this system includes the dual-cam sway control system. This system out performs the friction system because the dual-cam is pro-active. It works to prevent sway from ever happening in the first place by literally forcing the trailer to stay behind the truck. You would need to add a shank to this system like part # RP54970 or part # AMAC1.

Which Weight Distribution Style is Better, Trunnion Bar or Round Bar

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