Weight Distribution Hitch for 2018 Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS Travel Trailer

Updated 02/06/2018 | Published 02/05/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Replacement Spring Bars for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - Qty 2 - 1,400 lbs TW

(24)

$252.47

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Raw Finish - 30,000 lbs

(507)

$38.17

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW

(840)

$698.80

Question:

Hi, What Weight Distribution hitch would you recommend for me. I currently have an Equalizer 14000/1400 model that was perfect with my former travel trailer 1250 tongue weight. My new travel trailer has a tongue weight of 1400lbs and thats dry - no cargo loaded yet. I expect the tongue weight to increase as I load my trailer with items from my last trailer dishes, towels, blankets, lawn chairs, etc... The Equalizer wont work with the increase in tongue weight. What WDH would you recommend for my current situation? My new travel trailer is a 2018 Grand Design Reflection 315 RLTS UVW-8994 lbs, Hitch Weight-1400Lbs, GVWR, 10995 lbs, Length-37foot 11, Height -11foot 6. I was looking at the Blue OX but that may be too stiff 1600-2000lb tongue weight, then I saw the Reese Strait-Line 1700. Although the Reese Strait-line appears although its not as straight of an install as the Equalizer or the Blue Ox. Thanks in advance for your help.

asked by: Jim F

Expert Reply:

Sometimes just use of new spring bars can update a weight distribution hitch to match the tongue weight (TW) of a new trailer, but in the case of your Equal-I-zer system, part # EQ37140ET, the highest-rated bars are the 1400-lb set # EQ90-01-1499 that you now have.

I noticed the various trailer specs you provided seemed not to match up; the dry tongue weight of 1400-lbs that you quoted seemed high for a trailer with a GVWR of 10995-lbs. I checked the specs for the 315 RLTS on the Grand Design website and it lists the trailer's dry hitch weight as 1065-lbs.

With that starting hitch weight we can figure that by the time you fill your two propane tanks and water tank, and load your supplies and gear, you will probably add a good 300-lbs to the tongue weight. So, we'll figure you're at 1400-lbs. You can always use a trailer TW scale # e99044 to eliminate any guesswork.

Remember that any cargo in the truck that sits behind the rear axle also acts just like trailer TW and it needs to be factored in. Let's say you had a generator or a big, loaded cooler in the back of the bed; that could add as much as 200-lbs more to the system. Something to keep in mind.

I recommend the Reese Strait-Line system # RP66075 because it perfectly matches your TW range. The ideal is for your actual total TW to fall in the middle of the system's operating range. This Reese system operates well from 1000-lbs to 1700-lbs so it is a good choice. The Strait-Line also provides effective sway prevention instead of reacting to sway after it starts.

All you need to add is the hitch ball and shank, such as # C40085 and # RP54977. You can use any brand of shank that gives you the appropriate rise/drop; shanks are shown on the linked page.