Weight Distribution

[Sydow1sc]

Hello everyone. I am new to pulling an RV and new to this forum. I've seen several posts about what weight distribution hitch to use. I was looking for guidance on how to calculate if one is even necessary.

I have a 2022 half ton silverado. 9,500 towing capacity. My camper is a 26ft bunkhouse that weighs 6000lbs dry. Figure once we load it down we might add 1000 lbs

Should I spend the money on a weight distribution or will a reg ball hitch be just fine?

Thanks

 

[Savoyguy]

Not all receivers are made for weight distribution hitches. Sometimes there is a sticker on the receiver that states gross weight without and a gross weight with weight distribution. If it doesn't have a sticker that says with weight distribution then it is not made for it. On my motorhome mine is rated 5000 lb without and 10,000 lb with.

 

[TeeJay72]

Get the weight distribution hitch with sway control, no calculating about it will make so much difference.

 

[Rich W.]

If the rear of your vehicle sags at all with the trailer attached (which is quite likely) you will benefit from a weight distribution hitch.

 

[Fulltime2022]

Get the weight distribution hitch . I tow with a 2016 Silverado 1500 and have only been towing a 23T6 travel trailer believe me wdh makes a big difference

 

[Bob K4TAX]

We tow with a 2011 Chev Silverado LTZ. 5.3L, 3:42 rear end. 9500 lbs towing capacity. Cargo weight capacity 1385 lbs.

The TT is rated at MAX 7685 lbs. The hitch weight was measured at 775 lbs. With trailer on and WDH in place, the rear, and front of the tow drops 1/2" to 3/4". Without the WDH, the tow drops about 4" to 5" in the rear.

YEP, you need a WDH with sway control for the rig. You the driver will feel much more in control. Without the WDH, the tail wags the dog.

 

[Rich W.]

and with a 4-5“ drop you’ll have light (potentially unsafe) steering and your headlights will be raised to the point that your lowbeams will look like high beams to oncoming traffic and will be less effective for driving. Plus your rig will look poorly put together. The best sway control is proper loading whoch puts more weight in front of the trailer axles and so more tongue weight and more need for a WDH.

 

[Texas Trigger]

I am new to the RV Forum and I have 2 travel trailers I use to rent out. I have a Ford F350 SRW 8ft box 4x4. I use it for pulling the TT and have pulled with a conventional hitch and I have used a weight distribution hitch. Either way I get the swaying on the trailer, Yes using the distribution hitch with the bars is better but still having the issue.

Any ideas?????????????

 

[Voyageurs]

I am new to the RV Forum and I have 2 travel trailers I use to rent out. I have a Ford F350 SRW 8ft box 4x4. I use it for pulling the TT and have pulled with a conventional hitch and I have used a weight distribution hitch. Either way I get the swaying on the trailer, Yes using the distribution hitch with the bars is better but still having the issue.

Any ideas?????????????

Hi Trigger. What is your hitch weight. You should try to target 10 to 15 percent of the trailer weight.

Do you have one of those decks on the back of the trailer that are used for cargo? Those are horrible for causing sway.

And last but not least. Speed causes sway. What speeds are you travelling at. 60 to 65 mph should be about max.

Cheers.

 

[Texas Trigger]

I never pull the trailer over 65, I think that's plenty fast. No it's not a toy hauler just a conventional TT.
No I have not looked into the hitch weight, figured having a F350 it would be sufficient

 

[Rich W.]

No I have not looked into the hitch weight, figured having a F350 it would be sufficient

It’s not the tow vehicle but the way the trailer is loaded. Thats why you want more weight in front of the axles providing some tongue weight. F350 is plenty of tow vehicle but any trailer will sway if its not loaded correctly.

 

["EZ"]

You have too much weight behind the trailer axles. You need to move more weight to the tongue. This is what is causing your swaying. The truck has nothing to do with it.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Be sure the tow vehicle tires are properly inflated, to or at near max specs, to reduce sidewall flexing. We use 30 lbs psi normally for a better ride, and 40 lbs psi when towing.

 

[Texas Trigger]

You have too much weight behind the trailer axles. You need to move more weight to the tongue. This is what is causing your swaying. The truck has nothing to do with it.

EZ I would agree with you on moving weight to the front BUT the trailer has nothing in it other than what the factory installed. Thats what is crazy there is nothing to move.

 

[Rich W.]

How about filling your water tank, propane tanks, etc. - Im sure that is part of the load equation. Also if it has forward storage areas, this is where you can store your heavy stuff. Do whatever you have to with loading so you have enough positive tongue weight to achieve proper towing characteristics.

 

[Texas Trigger]

How about filling your water tank, propane tanks, etc. - Im sure that is part of the load equation. Also if it has forward storage areas, this is where you can store your heavy stuff. Do whatever you have to with loading so you have enough positive tongue weight to achieve proper towing characteristics.

I pulled it Friday and I did fill the water tank and it did better but normally I dont need the water tank full as we have full hook ups. I think it is a factory miss calculations. I rent this trailer out so I have been delivering and setting up and I am afraid if someone was come and pick it up they would have a lot of problems

 

["EZ"]

EZ I would agree with you on moving weight to the front BUT the trailer has nothing in it other than what the factory installed. Thats what is crazy there is nothing to move.

Then it's a poor design from the factory. Not enough tongue weight. A longer tongue would help. Or move the axles back 6-12".

 

["EZ"]

Try this..............find something that weighs 100 lbs and strap it to the tongue with some ratchet tie downs. Then pull your trailer. Better? Can you try 200 lbs? I bet it cures the problem. The best way to solve this issue would be to move the trailer axles back some. This would load the tongue more. It may not be the cheapest way but it would solve the issue.