Recommended Weight Distribution And Adjustable Shank For 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Updated 07/10/2015 | Published 07/08/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 5.5K GTW, 550 lbs TW

(473)

$809.31

Curt Weight Distribution Shank - 10" Long - 5-3/4" or 6-1/8" Drop - 1,500 lbs TW

(126)

$101.26

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

(2621)

$24.09

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

(3870)

$21.42

Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 15,000 lbs GTW, 1,500 lbs TW

(473)

$878.85

Replacement Spring Bars for Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System - 1,500 lbs TW

(68)

$242.71

Question:

I am interested in purchasing a Blue Ox SwayPro system for my current Airstream Bambi Sport 16. I will be later purchasing a Timber Ridge 250 RDS in 1-2 years and desire a system I can upgrade with more heavy duty spring bars later. I have recently upgraded my TV to a 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD diesel. I believe I will need the BXW4004 11 hole 9inch receiver mount instead of the standard receiver mount. My level Airstream coupler height top of ball is 18, and the Silverado 2500HD has a receiver height mid-tube, retaining pin hole level of 21.5, thereby requiring a of about 3inch for correct positioning of the ball with about 400-500 loaded tongue weight. Please double check my estimate and let me know which is my best option. Thanks,

asked by: Sam Y

Helpful Expert Reply:

From my research I found the Timber Ridge 250 RDS has a dry weight of 6,700 lbs and a maximum weight of 8,500 lbs. I also found the Airstream has a maximuim weight of 3,500 lbs.

For a weight distribution system you will want to know the tongue weight. The tongue weight is typically about 10 to 15 percent of the gross towing weight which would mean for the Airstream it would be between 350 and 525 lbs, and for the 250 RDS the tongue weight would be between 850 and 1275 lbs. This weight would be added to the weight of any cargo you place behind the rear wheel of your towing vehicle.

The weight distribution system I recommend that will allow you to upgrade the spring bars at a later time when needed is part # BXW0550. This system has a capacity of 6,000 lbs and designed for a tongue weight between 350 lbs and 550 lbs. This would work well with your Airstream trailer that has a gross weight of 3,500 lbs. You will need a hitch ball to go with this system. For a 2 inch hitch ball I recommend part # A-90, and for a 2-5/16 inch diameter ball I recommend part # 19286.

The replacement trunnion bars that increase the system to a 15,000 lbs capacity and a tongue weight capacity between 1,000 and 1,500 lbs you need are part # BXW4008.

If you decide to get the newer trailer sooner I recommend the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control, part # BXW1500. This is a clamp-on trunnion system and is designed for tongue weight between 1,000 and 1,500 lbs and a gross towing weight of 15,000 lbs. The system also has sway control which helps when facing high winds or passing traffic.

The adjustable shank I recommend is the Curt Weight Distribution Shank, part # 17120. This shank has a capacity of 15,000 lbs and has a maximum rise of 9-1/4 inches and a maximum drop of 5-3/4 inches.

I have attached a link to a helpful article that explains weight distribution you can check out.