Why Can't Trailer with Weight Distribution Hitch Be Reversed

Updated 11/08/2021 | Published 02/17/2021

Question:

Just purchased a 2012 Forest River Rockwood Roo toy hauler camper and I am looking for a weight distribution hitch. Some I have looked at say that you cant back up with them installed. Why is this? Are there units that will allow you to back up while they are installed? Thanks.

asked by: Tom E

Expert Reply:

With weight distribution systems like the Curt part # C17062 the reason backing up isn't recommended is because if you jackknife the trailer the spring bars will either pop out of the system with a lot of tension/force or a component of the system will bend/break.

So what you can do is back up basically totally straight with the system installed or you can remove the bars before making tight turn maneuvers.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Ned H.

11/5/2021

Bought a 2017 Forest River 28’ Vengeance Toy hauler. Drive a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4. The spec sheet I can find for the trailer show dry vehicle weight of 6604 and max GVW of 9985lbs (fully loaded capacity) and 926Lbs tongue weight. Cant find dry Tongue weight, but intend to tow pretty much dry, then fill up tanks upon arrival and drain before departure (want to travel with least weight for fuel efficiency mostly) I’m looking at the Curt C17062 WD hitch w/ friction sway control. Suppose its safe to assume dry Tongue weight will be within the range of this particular hitch system?

Victoria B.

11/8/2021

@NedH It is hard to say if the Curt system # C17062 will work for your trailer without knowing the tongue weight. That system is designed for trailers with a tongue weight between 800 - 1,000 lbs. A trailer's tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of the total weight. So the dry tongue weight should be between 660 - 990 lbs. Based on this I would not assume the dry tongue weight will work for this system. In order to get the best system for your setup, it is key to accurately know the tongue weight of the trailer when it is loaded and ready to tow. If you can weight the trailer tongue and let us know what you find, we can make a recommendation that will best do the job you need it to do.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-accessories_and_parts-pt-tongue_weight_scale.aspx