Weight Distribution for a 2015 Toyota Tundra and 6,300 Pound Dry Weight Travel Trailer

Updated 07/18/2016 | Published 07/15/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Round Bar Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - 14K GTW, 1.4K TW

(475)

$417.84

Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(639)

$609.95

Question:

Hello, Im looking to purchase a 27foot travel trailer with a dry weight of 6,355 pounds and a tongue weight of 720 pounds. My tow rig is a 2015 crew max Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 iforce engine. The towing capacity is 9,800 pounds and it has a class 4 hitch, everything Ive researched points toward the truck can handle the load with a weight distributing hitch. I plan to buy a hitch and the Tekonsha P3 together but Im not sure which weight rating I should get in the hitch. Given the dry weight, and tongue weight of the trailer, should I purchase the 10,000 GTW/1,000 TW, or should I purchase the heavier 14,000 GTW/1,400 TW?

asked by: John O

Expert Reply:

To choose a weight distribution system you will need to go by the total tongue weight of the set up. 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.

We know that the minimum tongue weight will be 720 pounds. We also know that the truck maxes out at 9,800 pounds gross trailer weight. So the feasible range of the tongue weight is 720 to 980 pounds (assuming the truck tongue weight capacity is 10 percent of the gross trailer weight capacity).

The Curt system # C17063 is rated for 1,000 to 1,400 pounds tongue weight. Basically, based on the above estimates this system will be rated too high since the truck maxes out at 980 pounds in this scenario.

I recommend going with the Curt TruTrack system, # C17500, because it is rated up to 1,000 pounds and comes with built-in sway control. It also comes with a shank and a 2-5/16 inch ball so it is ready to go!

I have also included some links on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H