How to Determine Correct Weight Rating of Weight Distribution System

Updated 08/15/2017 | Published 08/14/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW

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$807.50

Question:

I had a couple of inquiries about a couple of particular weight distribution hitches. I was needing to know the weight of each and which would be better for me. Trailer is 3323 dry weight. About 100-200 lbs of equipment distributed from front to over the axel, when traveling. Will fill 28 gallon fresh water tank at campsite, which I believe would be another 264 lbs. Hitches in questions: Item #C17345 500/5000 and item#17300 600/6000. I am leaning toward #17300. Which would be better and the weight of the hitch?

asked by: Kevin

Expert Reply:

You are correct that a full 28-gallon water tank will weigh 233-lbs without the weight of the empty tank itself. What this actually does to your trailer tongue weight is hard to predict though since we do not know the positioning of the tank. Really the only truly good way to know is to fill the water tank, load the trailer with its expected configuration of gear and supplies and to then measure it with a tongue weight (TW) scale # e99044. Any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle also has to be factored in the measured TW.

Weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) systems' operation is tied to the actual trailer TW. A system rated too low (not stiff enough) will not be able to shift the TW forward onto the tow vehicle's front axle; one rated too high (too stiff) can result in jumpy handling from the trailer. Ideally your total loaded trailer TW plus the behind-the-axle cargo weight will fall into the middle of the system's operating range.

A properly loaded/balanced trailer will have TW that is 12 to 14-percent of the gross trailer weight.
A trailer with a dry weight of 3323-lbs, by the time you add propane tank weight, water tank weight, gear and supplies, could easily weigh 4000-lbs. This translates into TW of 480 to 560-lbs.

Equalizer system # EQ37060ET works for TW up to 600-lbs which is much more likely to be appropriate. You really want to actually measure the fully-loaded trailer TW with a scale in order to know you have selected a compatible setup.

Please note that many systems can be fitted with replacement spring bars that work for other tongue weights. This means that if you substantially changed the equipment on the trailer or how you load it, you could change out the spring bars to allow the system to work properly with that other TW. But still you'd need to know the actual measured TW.

expert reply by: Adam R