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Best Weigh Safe Weight Distribution Hitch For Brinkley I275 GVWR 9,600 lbs  

Updated 04/22/2026 | Published 04/15/2026

Question:

Hi, I have a Brinkley I275, GVWR 9,600 pounds. Would I need the Weigh Safe True Tow Middleweight or Heavyweight sway control hitch for my trailer? I currently tow with a 2017 Ford F250 4x4 crew cab short bed. Thanks!

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Expert Reply:

Hey Brad, thanks for reaching out, and nice camper! With your Brinkley I275 you are right in the sweet spot for the Middleweight system. The Weigh Safe Middleweight is designed for trailers in the 8,500–12,500 lb range, while the Heavyweight jumps way up into 18,500–22,000 lb territory. That means the Heavyweight is overkill for your setup. You actually don’t want to oversize a weight distribution hitch too much, because it can make the ride harsher and put unnecessary stress on the trailer frame.

With a trailer like yours, the Middleweight is going to give you the right balance sway reduction and ride leveling without being too stiff. It'll be a great choice for your camper.

Just keep in mind the frame brackets for this system must be placed between 27" and 32" back from the hitch ball. You'll definitely want to measure this out and make sure you have room in this location and there aren't any obstructions like gas tanks or batteries. As long as you have room, you will be good to go.

Where do you usually tow? Mountain passes, windy plains, or long highway cruises?

expert reply by:
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Jesse M
Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 2" Shank - 6" Drop - 12.5K GTW, 1.2K TW
Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 2" Shank - 6" Drop - 12.5K GTW, 1.2K TW
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Brad T. profile picture

Brad T.

4/21/2026

I called the factory and they recommend the heavyweight. I imagine they're basing that on the GVWR of the trailer @ 9,600 pounds times the upper end of the target tongue weight of 15% which comes out to 1,440 pounds. The Weighsafe website indicates the middleweight has a max tongue weight of 1,250 pounds. At 9,000 pounds trailer weight x 15% would be 1,350 pounds tongue. At 8,500 pounds trailer weight x 15% would be 1,275 pounds tongue. Yes, one can fiddle the numbers. with a lesser tongue weight. I had my tongue weight measured today, it was a 1,100 pounds. I have an Equalizer hitch head with Rock Tamers installed and that weighs 75 pounds, the bars weigh? I probably have a hundred pounds behind my truck rear axle, and the front pass through on the trailer is close to what I'd be towing at but there will be another 50 pounds or so in there. My Trucks payload is 3,111 pounds. I do haul some weight in the truck too, probably 750 pounds or so.

Jesse M. profile picture
Etrailer Expert

Jesse M.

4/22/2026

@BradT I could see the heavyweight recommendation making sense if you were loading the trailer to the absolute max it can handle but it sounds like that's not the case. Measuring the actual loaded tongue weight was a great idea and with that being around 1,100 lbs even with the added weight in the bed it sounds like you are still within the range for the middleweight system. You could definitely still install and use the heavyweight system but there might not be enough tension on the bars to get the results you are wanting.

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