Weight Distribution and Sway Control for a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 Towing a 9,300 Pound Trailer

Updated 03/26/2012 | Published 03/25/2012

Question:

I have a 96 Dodge Ram 2500 and have just bought our first trailer and dont know which weight distribution system to go with.I will be pulling a 30foot trailer that dry weight is is 7100lbs and when all tanks are full will be 9300lbs not counting food,clothes and miscellaneous items to be kept in trailer.Would like a recommendation on which one to go with and should i include a sway control with the weight distribution system.

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

At 9,300 pounds, that would put the tongue weight of the trailer between 930 and 1,400 pounds. That also does not include the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle that also counts towards tongue weight. Based on this I would say that you need a system with a tongue weight capacity range of 800 to 1,500 pounds.

A trailer that is this heavy, if it starts to sway, can have a real negative impart on the towing vehicle so I absolutely recommend going with sway control. I recommend a system that has dual-cam sway control that proactively and aggressively resist the start of sway by forcing the vehicle and trailer to ride in straight line.

Based on all of the above factors, a Reese Strait-Line system, # RP66130, would be the way to go. This system comes with the dual-cam sway control, but you will need to add a shank, # RP54970, and ball, # 63840 (2-5/16 inch diameter). I have included a link to the installation instructions and a link to our FAQ article on weight distribution and sway control for you.

expert reply by: Michael H