Weight Distribution System

Since I disagree...some...with Tom, who thinks anyone who disagrees with his opinion is giving out bs, I won’t respond.

There are instructions on how to weigh the individual components as well as the combination to determine all the pertinent weights. It will cost $10-$12 at a commercial scale. Or, start buying hitches without knowing what you need. Which is what a lot of us "Used to do".

nagel wrote:
Truck is a 1/2 ton 4x4. GMC Sierra. GVWR 7000 pounds

So, it sounds like the information I will need is weight of trailer (5400 pounds). Tongue Weight (Not sure can't find that anywhere on trailer or tongue). Best thing is to get the thing weighed and go from there. Hmmmm

The trailer won’t have a listed tongue weight as it varies with the weight of the trailer and depends on where the weight is added to the trailer (ahead/behind axles).

The average trailer should have approximately 13 percent of its loaded weight carried on the tongue for good stability. If your tt is 5400lbs you should have at least 700lbs tongue weight. That amount will exceed your trucks receiver rating unless you use a WD hitch, so yes you do need one.

Hitches are rated for tongue weights usually in 200lbs increments. You’ll want one rated for at least 800lbs. One for 1000lbs wouldn’t hurt and would give some wiggle room. Just about any hitch will do the job but ones with built in sway control will usually do better than ones with sway bars. The popular ones are Equil-I-zer, Reese Dual Cam, and Blue Ox.

Any one of the name brand systems will be fine. I chose the Reese Strait-Line system with the Dual Cam Sway Control. Blue Ox or Equal-i-zer are top notch too. There are a couple, Hensley and ProPride, that are in the multiple thousands of dollars and I think are overkill, but they do have their cheerleaders. I am sure there are others, but that is what comes immediately to mind. Be sure to know the approximate tongue weight of your trailer so you can get the right bars. My TT has a 6000# GVWR, which means I could have up to 900# of tongue weight. My Reese could come with 800# or 1200# bars. I got the 1200# bars because I knew I could always put less tension on them.

Truck is a 1/2 ton 4x4. GMC Sierra. GVWR 7000 pounds

So, it sounds like the information I will need is weight of trailer (5400 pounds). Tongue Weight (Not sure can't find that anywhere on trailer or tongue). Best thing is to get the thing weighed and go from there. Hmmmm

nagel wrote:

Again, looking for guidance on buying a Weight Distribution System with sway bar.

Thanks in advance for you help!!

You are about to be bombarded with page after page of opinions and prejudices concerning hitches. Happens every time the subject comes up. There will be some who will tell you what you need based on the brand of truck and a dozen other guesses. Save yourself some time and eliminate some of the bs by visiting some scales to determine actual weights of truck, trailer, and tongue weight. From there and the payload rating of your tow vehicle, you "might" get some good advice. Without that information, all you are going to get is guesses.

How big is the truck - 1/2, 3/4?
If it's a 3/4T or more, you may not need a WDH at all with a trailer that size.

Oh and, yes, WDH are designed for specific weight ranges.