Weight Distribution and Sway Control for a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe and 1,890 Pound Trailer

Updated 06/30/2015 | Published 06/27/2015

Products Featured in This Question

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(2621)

$23.67

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(465)

$212.28

2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000

(3871)

$21.44

Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 3.5K GTW, 350 lbs TW

(473)

$821.05

Question:

We have a 1890 lb. Trailer dry weight , and a 180 lb tongue weight .What do we need for weight distribution and sway control. Also what does it mean when your sway control says does not allow back up? Thanks for your great site.

asked by: Kirk E

Expert Reply:

The first thing to check is if the hitch and vehicle are rated for use with weight distribution. For the trailer hitch there should be a sticker on it. If rated for weight distribution it will have 2 sets of capacities; one set for weight carrying (not using weight distribution) and another for weight distributing. If the hitch does not have a separate capacity for weight distributing then you would need a hitch that does such as # 75684.

For the vehicle just check the towing section in the manual.

If the hitch and vehicle are both rated for use with weight distribution then the next step is to calculate the total tongue weight. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

Considering that the dry tongue weight and gross weight is so low it is not likely that the total tongue weight will be too high. But once loaded the tongue weight will increase. A light duty system such as # BXW0350 could work. It is rated for up to 350 pounds tongue weight and 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight. The sway control is built in and you would only need to add a ball, # A-90 for a 2 inch or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch.

This system will allow backing up without having to remove the spring bars. Systems that do not allow backing up require removing the spring bars and/or disengaging the sway control. This is because there are different forces applied to the system when going in reverse that could damage certain weight distribution and sway control systems.

I have included a link on determining tongue weight. Once you have a better idea of the total tongue weight you can determine if the 350 pound system will work. I have also included an article on weight distribution and sway control for you.