How to Select Weight Distribution/Sway Control Hitch for Travel Trailer  

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When a trailer is loaded correctly its actual measured tongue weight (TW) should be in the range of 12- to 14-percent of the trailer's gross weight. A loaded trailer that weighs 1600-lbs would then have TW in the range of 192-lbs to 225-lbs.

Many hitches can tow higher weights when a weight distribution (WD) system is employed. The safety sticker on the hitch will indicate its specific TW and trailer weight ratings when such systems are in use. The weight of the WD set-up itself does NOT add to the tongue weight; using the system actually shifts some of that trailer TW forward to the vehicle's front axle. If your hitch sticker says you can use a WD system, and the resulting weight rating is enough for the trailer, then you are good to go.

The best way to go about this is to measure the actual TW of the fully-loaded trailer using the handy etrailer scale # e99044. To this measured trailer TW you will add the weight of any cargo in the vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler, since this will act like trailer TW. With this total TW known you can choose a system so that your total TW figure falls in the middle of its operating range.

Let's say you have a total TW of 400-lbs between the trailer and cargo. A perfect choice then is the
Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37060ET which works well from 200- to 600-lbs TW. All you need to add is a thin-walled socket for installation of the included 2-inch hitch ball; use part # ALL643216.

The linked videos and article will give you more helpful information.

expert reply by: Adam R

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