Weight Distribution Recommendation for Trailer With 3800 lb Dry Weight

Updated 01/16/2021 | Published 01/14/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Round Bar Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - 10K GTW, 1K TW

(456)

$400.51

Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems

(323)

$76.84

Curt MV Weight Distribution System - Round Bar - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW

(355)

$350.09

Question:

We have a trailer with dry weight of 3700 lbs, unsure of tongue weight but well have 2 tall propane tanks 8 gallon + battery so Im guessing 500 lbs. We are looking at the Reese 10000 lb model, is this too much or is there such a thing as too much? Just need to know were using the right weight. Thanks!

asked by: Pam

Expert Reply:

As a first step, you really should determine the trailer's tongue weight when it's fully loaded and ready to tow. This would make it much easier to choose the correct system for your needs. I'll link you to a help article that shows a couple of ways to do this, but a tongue weight scale like the etrailer scale # e99044 would be an easy way to figure out your tongue weight.

An 8 gallon propane tank weighs about 33 lbs, and a battery around 40 lbs, so you're looking at roughly 100 lbs or so. Added to the 3700 lb dry weight of the trailer, that puts you at about 3800 lbs. Since a trailer's tongue weight is between 10-15% of it's fully loaded weight, the try tongue weight could be as much as 570 lbs, and this is before you add any cargo. The Curt # C17062 you'd looked at has a tongue weight capacity of 800-1000 lbs, so this would very likely be rated too high, which would be ineffective and would provide a very rough ride.

I believe a system rated for up to 800 lbs like the Curt # C17051 would be a good choice for you. This system doesn't include a friction sway control unit like the kit you'd looked at, but you can add one using part # 17200. This system would be ideal for trailers with fully loaded tongue weighs ranging from about 400-800 lbs, which is the range where yours would likely fall.

I've linked some product and installation videos for you.

expert reply by: Mike L