Weight Distribution System Recommendation Towing 630 lb Tongue Weight Travel Trailer

Published 08/28/2015

Question:

Im sitting on a fence here and need some advice. My 2015 Nissan Frontier has a tow rating of 6300 lbs. with a max tongue weight of 630 lbs. The travel trailer I am looking at is only 4400 lbs. dry weight. We pack pretty light, so I dont think overall weight will be an issue. However, the tongue weight on this particular trailer is 605 lbs. dry. About 17. Seems high to me. Thats pretty close to my max hitch weight, without anything in the trailer I am planning on using the Blue Ox Sway Pro Weight Distributing Hitch. If I purchased the spring bars with the 550-750 lb. rating, would that relieve some of the weight, or distribute it well enough that it would be comfortable, and more-so, safe? I have heard that where you position your cargo in the trailer will affect the tongue weight of the trailer as well. If moving your cargo farther back in the trailer to relieve the hitch weight, would the sway control of the Sway Pro hitch keep the potential extra sway in check from the weight moved to the rear? Long story short, would I be ok with a 605 lb. hitch weight, when my max is 630? With the blue Ox Sway Pro 750? The dealer seems to think I will have no problem. But I also have a check that they want, too. Thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Justin B

Expert Reply:

To avoid trailer sway you want the tongue weight to be 10 percent of the total trailer weight. Your best option is going to be to keep the tongue weight and total trailer weight under the capacities of your vehicle and aim for the tongue weight to also be 10 percent.

A weight distribution system will not change the towing capacities of your vehicle. But a lot of vehicles will have a second weight capacity for towing when a WD system is used so you can check the sticker on your hitch to verify this.

Based on what you think your loaded tongue weight will be and the capacity for your vehicle the Blue Ox System part # BXW0750 that you referenced would work well for you.

expert reply by: Jameson C