Recommended Weight Distribution System for Keystone Springdale Trailer

Updated 07/25/2017 | Published 07/22/2017

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2634)

$18.95

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

(3914)

$20.94

Question:

Hello, Beyond doing some research on your website, I would like to get your specific recommendations on a weight distribution type trailer hitch for towing a travel trailer. I looked at the hitch: Strait-Line Weight Distribution with Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW Item # RP66073 Our specifications are: Tow Vehicle: 2013 RAM 1500 with 5.7 liter HEMI engine, 145inch wheelbase Trailer Keystone Sprindale 256RLL, 26 ft trailer Dry Weight: 4,885 lbs Hitch Weight: 620 lbs Appreciate if you can confirm if the above mentioned hitch is appropriate for this application and if you can recommend a few other hitches that we can consider.

asked by: Andy S

Expert Reply:

The most important factor to consider when choosing a weight distribution system is the total tongue weight of your towing setup. This will include both the loaded tongue weight of your trailer, along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Ram truck. This number will ideally fall somewhere around the middle of the system's operating range that you choose.

Using the dry hitch weight of 620 pounds that you mentioned in your question, we will want to leave some wiggle room to account for this weight when the trailer is fully loaded along with any added weight from behind the rear axle of your truck. I recommend verifying the loaded tongue weight of your trailer, as if it is ready for a trip, with a scale like the etrailer # e99044.

The Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System # RP66073 you referenced is a great system that has a tongue weight capacity of 400 to 800 pounds. Depending on what your loaded total tongue weight ends up being, this system may turn out to be a bit under-rated. If your total, loaded tongue weight creeps up close to or over 800 pounds, I instead recommend going with the Reese Strait-Line # RP66074. This particular system has a higher tongue weight capacity range of 600 to 1,200 pounds, which will likely be better suited to handle your overall setup.

Both of these systems will do a great job of evenly distributing weight over the axles of your Ram and trailer for stability and control. The integrated sway control will automatically adjust and self-center during swaying situations. For either system, you will just need to add an adjustable shank like the Reese # RP3215 along with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank hitch ball. For a 2 inch ball I recommend # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286 is a good option.

I have included a video demonstration on this system along with an FAQ article that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Chris R