How to Adjust Weight Rating of Weight Distribution Hitch to Match Loaded Trailer Tongue Weight

Updated 07/23/2019 | Published 07/19/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 7.5K GTW, 750 lbs TW

(495)

$962.62

Replacement Spring Bars for Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution System - 550 lbs TW

(11)

$245.42

Question:

I have a blue ox BXW0750 weight distribution hitch that is a 750 tongue 8000 tow weight, my camper weights 3500 with tongue weight of 300, will the over sized hitch cause damage to my camper frame?

asked by: Brett H

Helpful Expert Reply:

As long as your camper's frame is made of steel and the manufacturer approves use of a weight distribution hitch such as the Blue Ox Sway Pro # BXW0750 you won't hurt the trailer by installing it but you also won't get the best performance from it if the spring bars are rated so much higher than your actual loaded trailer tongue weight.

The actual fully-loaded trailer's tongue weight (TW) should fall in the middle of the system's operating range. If the tow vehicle has any cargo behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator, then this cargo weight should be added to the trailer's own actual loaded TW. For example, if you measure the loaded trailer TW with a scale like # e99044 and find it to be 400-lbs, and you also have a 150-lb generator in the rear of the Durango, then this total of 550-lbs just falls within the operating range for system # BXW0750. This system is appropriate for total TW from 550 to 750-lbs. It would be ideal for a total TW of 650-lbs but it will still work properly with TW as low as 550-lbs.

I recommend you get the scale # e99044 so that you can measure the actual TW of the loaded trailer, eliminating any guesswork and ensuring your system gives you the weight allocation and sway control benefits it is designed to provide.

If you find that you need a lower-capacity system it is easy to simply change out the spring bars to ones that are rated correctly. You do not have to replace the whole system. If your actual total TW falls between 350 and 550-lbs then all you need to do is replace your bars with kit # BXW4005.

expert reply by: Adam R