Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Bighorn

Published 12/14/2018

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:

My 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-Cab Bighorn with a 5.7 Hemi came with the trailer tow group, which included a class IV receiver hitch. I am looking to upgrading to a weight-distributing/sway control hitch system for the 4000+ lb trailer that I recently bought, but I dont know if the factory hitch is rated for weight distributing. Will I need to install something such as the Draw-Tite Item # 41929 before I make this change?

asked by: Troy

Expert Reply:

If you have a Class IV hitch on your 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 it would be rated for use with a weight distribution system.

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

Since your trailer weighs 4,000 lb the tongue weight is going to most likely be between 400 and 600 lbs so the best weight distribution system we can offer that will fit that range is the Reese Strait Line kit part # RP66083 which has a range of 400-800 lbs and features the best sway control that works to fight sway before it starts.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C