Adjusting Reese SC Weight Distribution or Using Air Bags to Compensate for ATV in Truck Bed

Updated 01/26/2012 | Published 01/23/2012

Question:

I was just wondering I have a Reese SC w/d system. I drive an 03 Chevy 1500 and the camper has 630lbs dry weight, I haul a four wheeler when I tow, but when I hook the camper up to the pickup it s my rear end 2.5 in. Just curious if that hitch should be adjusted tighter so it doesnt sag at all or should I resort to air bags for the pickup? Thanks!

asked by: Devon M

Expert Reply:

Air bags are primarily designed to help suspend loads carried in the truck bed, and will not do much to distribute any of the trailer tongue weight to the front truck axle.

Once your ATV is loaded into your truck bed, you will need to consider about 1/2 its weight (the portion located behind the rear truck axle) as tongue weight. You will need to ensure that the tongue weight of the trailer, plus the weight of anything in the bed behind the axle does not exceed the tongue weight rating of your Reese system. If the extra tongue weight added by the ATV still leaves you within the capacity of the system, you should be able to adjust the tilt of the weight distribution head to compensate for the extra weight of the ATV. Tilting the weight distribution head rearward will create additional force on the spring bars, thus applying more upward leverage to the rear end of your truck. The install instructions included with your system will outline how to measure the wheel well heights in order to adjust the system so that everything is nice and level. (See diagram and linked instructions).

I've also linked you to our FAQ article that shows how to find your trailer tongue weight.

expert reply by: Mike L