Recommendation for Weight Distribution and Sway Control When Towing a 4,000 Pound Trailer

Updated 01/25/2011 | Published 01/22/2011

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2635)

$24.28

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

(3940)

$20.94

Question:

At what weight do I need a weight distrabution hitch. My trailer gvw is 4000 lbs.I am towing with a full size 1/2 ton.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Weight distribution is a good idea when the gross trailer weight is 50 percent or more of the vehicle weight or if you are experiencing sag at the rear of your truck. Weight distribution, as the name implies, takes the weight of the trailer and transfers to all the axles of both the towing vehicle and the trailer.

For a trailer weighing 4,000 pounds with a tongue weight at 400 to 600 pounds (10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight), I recommend Reese Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit, # RP67509, which comes with a shank so you would just need a properly sized ball like # A-90 (2 inch diameter) or # 19286 (2-5/16 inch diameter). This kit does not include sway control.

If you are experiencing trailer sway, I recommend going with a system that includes dual-cam sway control. Dual-cam sway control is a pro-active system that stops trailer sway before it starts. For a weight distribution with sway control, I recommend Strait-Line Weight Distribution System, # RP66087. I have included links to the installation details for this system, along with a link to our weight distribution FAQ article for reference.

expert reply by: Michael H