weight distribution hitch question

[chrisb]

What size hitch should I get? I tow with a jeep liberty and just bought a jayco 184 bh. It states trailer weighs 29 and change with a max at 3500. My tongue weight states around 3 but feels more like 400. Would a 1000 pound tongue hitch be to much. Im thinking a 400-600 but don't want to under do it either

[KiltDog]

For 3500 gtw I'd shoot for 500

[cekkk]

Kiltdog's advice is where I'd go. You want the bars to be rated at lease as high as your actual TW but not a lot higher. A thousand is way too much. Head for a CAT scale and find out what you are dealing with. Don't rely on spec numbers, it's your actual loaded weights that matter, full trailer, your Liberty with people/fuel/gear. There are lots of posts on how to weigh and get the numbers you need.

[Crabman]

Agree with above. On the liteweight units you do not want overkill with your WD system. 100 lbs above tongue weight is fine but not 500.....

[Threebutchers]

Ditto on the 4000/400... I had to take off a 6000/600 WDH the dealer installed on my vehicle. The hitch and bars accounted for 25% of the weight on my receiver and the over-rated bars were too heavy to provide any flex.....the ride was stiff.

I went down to a 3500/350 (Reese Ultralight 350) and it's a world of difference. My loaded TT is between 2,900-3,000# and I pack my TT for a tongue weight of 300-310#

[chrisb]

Thanks guys I'll look for a 500. Then I should be safe with 2 kids and a dog. I always pack the front light