Recommended Weight Distribution System for 11,000 Pound Travel Trailer

Updated 08/25/2017 | Published 08/24/2017

Products Featured in This Question

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

(3870)

$21.42

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

(2621)

$24.09

Reese Weight Distribution Shank - 16,000 lbs

(30)

$198.96

Question:

Will the WS4-25 work with a WD/Anti sway hitch. Looking at purchasing a TT - UVW=7450, GVWR= 11100, Hitch Weight= 935. Any advance info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. - Jeff

asked by: Jeff M

Expert Reply:

Verifying your trailer's loaded tongue weight is a great idea, but you will not be able to use the Weigh Safe 2-Ball Mount with a weight distribution system. Weight distribution systems will require a specialized shank and will not attach directly to a ball mount like the Weigh Safe product. To check the loaded tongue weight of your trailer, I recommend using a scale like the etrailer # e99044.

The most important factor when choosing a weight distribution system is the total tongue weight of your towing setup. This includes both the loaded tongue weight of your trailer (as if it is ready for a trip), along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. Most likely, the 935 pound hitch/tongue weight you provided is the empty tongue weight of your trailer. We can take an estimate of its loaded tongue weight using the GVWR of 11,100 pounds, as the tongue weight should be between 10-15% of its total, loaded weight. With this in mind, we can estimate a loaded tongue weight of 1,110-1,665 pounds - although I still recommend verifying this. You will want the total tongue weight to fall somewhere around the middle of the operating range for the system you choose.

Using the above estimated total tongue weight, I recommend looking at the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System # RP66075. This system has a tongue weight capacity of 1,000 to 1,700 pounds and will do a great job of evenly distributing weight over the axles of your trailer and tow vehicle. It features self-adjusting, self-centering sway control that will hold your trailer steady. You will just need to add an adjustable shank like # RP54998 along with a compatible hitch ball like the 2 inch # A-90 or the 2-5/8 inch # 19286.

I have attached a video demonstration on this system along with an article that further details the benefits of and selecting the proper weight distribution system.

expert reply by: Chris R