Recommended Weight Distribution System for 2009 Silverado 1500 Towing 24ft Boat with Surge Coupler
Updated 01/09/2014 | Published 01/07/2014
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Question:
Total boat and trailer weight is around 5500 lbs but Im not sure of tongue weight. I need a sway control/weight distribution solution. Whats my best bet?
asked by: Michael B
Expert Reply:
We typically calculate tongue weight as being 10-15 percent of the weight of the trailer plus its load. Since boats tend to be heavier at the rear due to the motor and fuel tank, you will probably at or below the10 percent figure. This being said, we recommend using a tongue weight or truck scale to definitively find your trailer tongue weight. I have linked you to an FAQ article that shows how to do this.
To choose the proper system, you need to find the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of the trailer. TTW is the tongue weight PLUS the weight of anything stowed behind the rear axle in the cargo area or bed of the tow vehicle. Your TTW should fall someplace near the center of the effective range of the system you choose. Since your boat uses a surge or hydraulic coupler, you will need to choose a system that is compatible with that type of braking system. The traditional chain-suspended type of W/D system can prevent the surge coupler from working properly.
Take your 5500 lb boat/trailer, for instance. With a full load of fuel and gear, the TTW is probably someplace in the neighborhood of 500-600 lbs. If this is indeed the case, I would recommend the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System, part # RP66558. This system is effective on trailers with tongue weights ranging between 400-600 lbs, and would offer weight distribution along with proven sway resistance.
Most boat trailers have a straight pole tongue. If yours does have a pole tongue then you would also need a pole tongue adapter, # RP58393.
The Reese system includes a weight distributing shank, but the appropriately-sized trailer ball is sold separately. If you need a 2 inch ball, use part # A-90 or part # 19286 for a 2-5/16 ball.
I have also linked you to the install/set-up instructions for the system, as well as to another FAQ article that explains what a W/D system does and how it works.
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