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Old 08-26-2018, 11:13 AM   #5
Chuck v
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,026
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The 15% total trailer weight on the hitch ball is a good rule of thumb and will definitely be the most stable distribution. The "weight distributing" hitch does nothing for this requirement, its job is to level the tow vehicle and keep some weight on the front (steering) axle.


If your dry weight of your trailer is 6000 lbs and your tow rating for your truck is 8000 pounds you are dangerously close to the anther rule of thumb for safe conventional towing -- which is staying under 75% of rating at ALL TIMES. Adding even a can of soup, let alone extra weight beyond the end of the trailer impacts both this percentage and the hitch weight so measure, do not estimate.


A third factor that impacts trailer stability is the overall length of the trailer compared to the wheel base of the tow vehicle. I think it is basically 110 inches of wheelbase for a 20 foot trailer and add a foot of trailer length for each additional 4 inches of wheelbase on the tow vehicle. This is a conservative rule, but short tow vehicles make for white knuckle travel so longer is better. Your Crew Cab should have a long enough wheelbase for this 24 foot trailer.


Since you don't yet have a proper hitch, maybe you don't have any sway control apparatus either...that would be yet another factor.


You owe it to yourself, your family, your heirs and everyone else on the road to tow safely, so hope you get it sorted out and ask any additional questions you may have on this forum.


Chuck
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