Can Weight Distribution System be Rated Too High

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution system's rating isn't directly related to the capacities of the tow vehicle. If you make sure the system is appropriate for the loaded trailer's weight and the loaded trailer is within the capacities of the vehicle then you'll be just fine. So your concern here isn't the 500 pounds tongue weight rating of your 2016 Toyota 4Runner.

Instead you need to make sure the system is appropriate for the new trailer. The best way to do this is to find its loaded tongue weight. There's a few ways to do this and I've linked a help article going over them. The easiest is with a tongue weight scale like part # e99044 or the electronic device like the Curt BetterWeigh, part # C51701.

You want the trailer's tongue weight while it's loaded. Not the dry weight or its max weight. A trailer's tongue weight should fall within 10 to 15 percent of its total weight. You also need to add the amount of weight you're going to add to the 4Runner behind its rear axle. This counts as tongue weight when it comes to weight distribution.

If your trailer's maximum weight is 3,500 pounds then its tongue weight sholdn't be anymore than about 525 pounds. With that being the case a 1,000 pound system is going to be too high for your trailer and I recommend an 800 pound system like the Fastway e2 # FA94-00-0800.

The Fastway doesn't come with a hitch ball though. Use part # EQ91-00-6100 for a 2-5/16 inch or part # EQ91-00-6080 for a 2 inch. The ball requires a 1-7/8 inch thin walled socket to install which is part # ALL643216.

expert reply by: Charles S

0