WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCHES & SWAY CONTROL SYSTEMS
IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA
A weight distribution hitch is one of the most important towing upgrades for properly matched trailers and tow vehicles. By using engineered spring bars to redistribute tongue weight across the tow vehicle and trailer axles, a weight distribution hitch can improve towing stability, steering response, braking performance, and overall driver confidence.
Many modern weight distribution systems also incorporate sway control technology to help resist unwanted trailer movement caused by crosswinds, passing vehicles, uneven road surfaces, or improper load balance.
Deer Valley Trailer stocks premium weight distribution hitches and sway control systems from trusted manufacturers for travel trailers, RVs, enclosed cargo trailers, car haulers, utility trailers, equipment trailers, horse trailers, and many other bumper-pull trailers. Our experienced towing specialists can help determine whether a weight distribution system is appropriate for your trailer, tow vehicle, and towing application.
WHAT IS A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH?
A weight distribution hitch is a specialized towing system that uses spring bars to transfer a portion of the trailer's tongue weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle to the front axle of the tow vehicle and back to the trailer axles. This redistribution helps return the tow vehicle closer to its normal ride height while improving steering, braking, and towing stability.
Unlike a standard ball mount, a weight distribution hitch becomes an active part of the towing system by helping balance the forces acting between the tow vehicle and trailer.
HOW A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH WORKS
When a trailer is coupled to a tow vehicle, the tongue weight naturally pushes downward on the hitch ball. This force can compress the rear suspension of the tow vehicle while reducing weight carried by the front axle.
A properly adjusted weight distribution hitch uses spring bars as long steel levers to apply upward force at the hitch and downward force farther back on the trailer frame. This redistributes part of the tongue weight across all of the axles rather than allowing most of it to remain concentrated at the rear of the tow vehicle.
The result is a towing combination that is generally more level, more predictable, and easier to control.
BENEFITS OF A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH
When properly selected and adjusted, a weight distribution hitch can provide significant towing benefits.
IMPROVED STEERING CONTROL
Redistributing tongue weight helps restore weight to the tow vehicle's front axle, allowing the steering tires to maintain better contact with the road.
BETTER BRAKING PERFORMANCE
Maintaining proper weight on all axles allows both the tow vehicle and trailer braking systems to operate more effectively.
REDUCED TRAILER SWAY
Many modern systems include integrated sway control that helps resist side-to-side trailer movement caused by wind, road conditions, or passing traffic.
MORE LEVEL TOWING
Keeping the trailer and tow vehicle closer to level improves suspension geometry, towing comfort, and overall handling.
REDUCED DRIVER FATIGUE
A properly adjusted towing system often requires fewer steering corrections during long trips, allowing for a more comfortable driving experience.
WHAT IS TRAILER SWAY?
Trailer sway is the side-to-side oscillation of a trailer behind the tow vehicle. While mild movement is normal, excessive sway can quickly become difficult to control if the underlying cause is not corrected.
Common causes include:
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Insufficient Tongue Weight
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Improper Cargo Distribution
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Excessive Speed
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Strong Crosswinds
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Passing Large Trucks
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Incorrect Tire Pressure
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Suspension Problems
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Improper Hitch Height
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Mechanical Issues
A sway control system helps resist trailer movement, but it cannot compensate for an improperly loaded trailer or exceed the towing limits established by the vehicle or hitch manufacturer.
INTEGRATED SWAY CONTROL
Many premium weight distribution systems incorporate sway control directly into the hitch head or spring bars. Unlike older add-on friction sway bars, integrated systems continuously apply resistance to trailer movement without requiring separate components.
Integrated sway control is popular because it works automatically during normal towing while allowing the trailer to turn naturally through corners.
TYPES OF SWAY CONTROL
FRICTION SWAY CONTROL
Friction sway control uses adjustable friction surfaces to resist trailer movement. This style has been used for many years and remains effective for many lighter towing applications.
FOUR-POINT SWAY CONTROL
Four-point sway control uses friction generated at multiple contact points between the hitch head and spring bars to provide continuous resistance during towing.
CAM-STYLE SWAY CONTROL
Cam-style systems use specially shaped cams and spring bars to help keep the trailer centered behind the tow vehicle while still allowing normal turning.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH?
Many vehicle manufacturers recommend or require a weight distribution hitch once trailer tongue weight or trailer weight exceeds certain limits specified for the tow vehicle or receiver hitch.
A weight distribution hitch is commonly considered when towing:
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Travel Trailers
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RV Trailers
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Horse Trailers
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Car Haulers
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Enclosed Cargo Trailers
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Equipment Trailers
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Utility Trailers Carrying Heavy Loads
Always consult your vehicle owner's manual and hitch manufacturer's instructions to determine whether weight distribution equipment is recommended or required for your specific towing combination.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SYSTEM
Weight distribution hitches are selected primarily by tongue weight—not simply total trailer weight.
Important considerations include:
IMPORTANT FACTORS
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Loaded Tongue Weight
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Loaded Trailer Weight
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Tow Vehicle
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Receiver Hitch Rating
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Trailer Coupler Style
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Hitch Ball Size
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Ground Clearance
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Trailer Frame Design
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Need for Sway Control
PREMIUM WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION BRANDS WE STOCK
Deer Valley Trailer proudly carries weight distribution hitches from manufacturers recognized throughout the towing industry for quality, innovation, and dependable performance.
CURT MANUFACTURING
CURT offers a wide range of weight distribution hitches for recreational and commercial towing. Their systems are available with integrated sway control, multiple tongue-weight ratings, and several spring-bar styles to accommodate a variety of trailers.
EQUAL-I-ZER
Equal-i-zer is one of the industry's most respected integrated sway-control systems. Using a four-point sway control design, these hitches provide weight distribution and sway control without requiring separate friction sway bars. They remain a popular choice among RV owners and customers towing enclosed trailers or travel trailers.
FASTWAY e2
The Fastway e2 weight distribution hitch combines weight distribution with built-in sway control in a simplified design. It is widely chosen by customers looking for an easy-to-use system that delivers dependable towing performance for many recreational trailers.
ROUND BAR VS. TRUNNION BAR SYSTEMS
Most weight distribution hitches use either round spring bars or trunnion spring bars.
ROUND BAR
Round-bar systems attach beneath the hitch head and generally provide excellent performance for many recreational towing applications while offering generous turning clearance.
TRUNNION BAR
Trunnion spring bars insert directly into the hitch head and are commonly selected for higher-capacity towing applications. Their design often provides additional ground clearance and is well suited for larger trailers.
COMMON TOWING MISTAKES
COMMON MISTAKES
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Using the Wrong Spring Bar Rating
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Incorrect Tongue Weight
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Trailer Loaded Too Far Rearward
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Hitch Not Properly Adjusted
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Incorrect Ball Height
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Improper Tire Pressure
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Exceeding Tow Vehicle Ratings
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Forgetting to Recheck Hitch Adjustments
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Assuming Sway Control Corrects Improper Loading
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Mixing Incompatible Hitch Components
MAINTAINING YOUR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION HITCH
Regular inspection helps ensure dependable towing performance and long service life.
Inspect:
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Hitch Head
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Spring Bars
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Lift Brackets
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Chains
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Pins
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Hitch Ball Torque
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Fasteners
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Wear Points
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Lubrication Points
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Sway Control Components
Replace worn or damaged components using manufacturer-approved replacement parts.
DEER VALLEY TRAILER EXPERT TIP
One of the biggest misconceptions about weight distribution hitches is that they are only for very large RVs. In reality, many enclosed cargo trailers, horse trailers, equipment trailers, and utility trailers can also benefit from properly selected weight distribution and sway control when their tongue weight and towing combination warrant it.
The most important factor is not simply the trailer's size—it is the relationship between the loaded trailer, tongue weight, tow vehicle, receiver hitch, and how the trailer is loaded. Our experienced team can help evaluate your complete towing setup to determine whether a weight distribution hitch is appropriate and recommend a system that matches your application.