Weight distribution!?

[JayT54]

Hey there so I just bought a trailer and my spring bars are rated for 4-600lbs and my tongue weight is 700lbs I’m wondering if I can get a set of spring bars that are 8-1400lbs instead of the 6-800lbs does it make a difference if the spring g bars are rated for more than my trailer tongue weight, I can just get a used set of the 8-1400 bars cheaper than the 6-800 it is the husky brand

 

[Martian]

You need the 800 pound bars. 1400 pound bars will not act like springs and can damage equipment because of that.

 

[JayT54]

So even if there rated for 800-1400 I should get the 600-800

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Yes. And you may not even need those. It isn't always necessary to re-distribute every single pound of tongue weight, so the 600 lb (max) bars could well be sufficient. If you can properly level out the tow vehicle and trailer without applying max force to the 600 lb bars, you are good to go. By max force I mean adjusting the bar to maximum tension, e.g. the last adjustment position.

 

[SpencerPJ]

The ideal is 600-800 as Gary said. I certainly would try what you got first. I think the 8-1400# ones IMO, would be a bit stiff. Is the 700# tongue scaled weight? or best guess?

 

[JayT54]

The tongue weight is what is listed on rvusa it’s 697lbs, so I just figured bars that are800-1200 may be better but if I need the 600-800 then I’ll get those was just curious

 

[Moho81]

Solid advice above. Too heavy of bars can put to much stress on the frame of both the tow vehicle and the trailer.

 

[JayT54]

Here are the specs, would the propane tanks add weight as well so instead of 697 I would be close to 800

 

[Ex-Calif]

To me tongue weight seems to always be listed at the empty weight in this case tongue weight is about 10% of the empty weight.

At MGWR the tongue weight needs to be more like 950-1,000 pounds.

I'd get the 800-1400 pound ones.

 

[JayT54]

And see that’s what I was thinking otherwise the 600-800 I would be pretty much maxed

 

[SpencerPJ]

Plot twist with better details. Dry weight 6700#, realistically looking at 7700# wet weight. 12-14% will be tongeweight, You will be close to 1000#. Get the bigger bars.

 

[JayT54]

This is what I’m thinking for a set just wanted to make sure it wasn’t overrated

 

[Tulecreeper]

You can add ~30% to the dry hitch weight to get the weight of the loaded tongue. So about 900 pounds for your set-up.

 

[SpencerPJ]

If those are the bars that mate to your head, they are what I would select.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Solid advice above. Too heavy of bars can put to much stress on the frame of both the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Too heavy a bar rating isn't a frame stress problem unless you over-tighten the bar tension. It doesn't automatically apply the full rated pressure and you (the operator) must adjust the amount of bar tension to the minimum amount needed to restore the tow vehicle to its normal attitude (level in most cases).

The issue with a extra-heavy bar is that at the low end of the tension range it's not easily adjustable. You will likely jump from 0 tension to 800+ lbs at the lowest adjustment point.

However, I agree with the others that the spec tongue weight you are looking at is almost meaningless. Your actual tongue weight needs to be 10-13% of actual trailer weight, so likely in the 800-1000 lb range. Whether you actually need to transfer (i.e. distribute) all of that tongue weight is shear guesswork and depends on the tow vehicle suspension capacity and loading. Most pick-up trucks can handle that amount of weight without much sagging in the rear, but most SUVs or sedans need a lot of help. Try the bars you have and see if you can achieve a good distribution, but heavier bars may be needed.

Your WD hitch should have come with instructions on setting the tension properly and you can usually find the manual for it if you don't have one. We also have a tried & true technique in this forums RESOURCE library at https://www.rvforum.net/resources/using-adjusting-a-weight-distributing-hitch.71/download

 

[Steven L]

Here are the specs, would the propane tanks add weight as well so instead of 697 I would be close to 800 View attachment 166699View attachment 166700

DO NOT trust RVUSA.com for accuracy with any specs they post on their site. I've seen enough instances now where they are off (wildly at times even) on everything from tougue weights to O.A.L.s to UVWs and GTWRs. Confirm them with the manufacturer to verify accuracy always.

Especially where published tongue weight is concerned, go out to a dealer what has a model your looking into and measure it yourself for the actual hitch weight. I've found examples where the hitch weight was over by as much as 300# or even greater than the published values online or in printed brochures.

 

[JayT54]

Thanks for all the info, so I think I am going to purchase this set then I believe it to be correct as what has been stated by everyone

 

[JayT54]

It is stranger tho these bars I’m gunna get are rated 801-1400lbs and I can’t find any record of husky making those bars or another set even on the hitch it doesn’t say that range anyone know if they are actually legit

 

[rgsauger]

When in doubt, drop the coin for an equalizer 10,000 hitch. It is a fabulous weight distributing hitch that does an excellent job carrying weight and also reducing sway.

 

[nate mcnett]

Ever consider a rv trailer toad? I can get you hooked up if you are interested. I have one and I really like it.