Will an Oversized Weight Distribution System Damage a Trailer

Published 01/26/2009

Question:

Hi, I have a 2000 dodge 3/4 ton, with the Cummins and have VERY stiff rear springs 2000 lbs of rock over the rear axle and the truck sits level. My question is, if I get a weight distribution hitch with sway control, for my travel trailer 2008 Star stream 23 foot, 640 lb tongue weight, 6100 loaded trailer weight, will I wreck my trailer by putting too much stress on the trailer and not on the tow vehicle if I have 800 lb bars? Ive read that you can wreck your trailer by having too stiff of bars. When hooked to the trailer, the truck only squats about an inch. I really want the sway control as we are planning on going to the mountains this summer for holidays and I prefer not to die there.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

The key to successfully using a weight distribution system is to match the spring bars fairly closely to the tongue weight of the trailer as it is typically loaded. The 800 lb figure is the maximum weight that those bars are rated for. They will work on tongue weights of between probably 400 and 800 lbs. Since your trailer, when loaded, has around 650 lbs of tongue weight, you are almost dead center in that range. Those bars should work perfectly for you. Do not set the spring bars any higher than what is necessary to keep the trailer and vehicle level.

Measure the wheel space of the front and rear of the truck without the trailer attached. When you hook up the trailer and weight distribution system, make sure you are close to the truck has not raised or lowered the front or rear out of proportion from the original measurements.

expert reply by: Mike L