Weight Distribution Introduction
Best first watch: how spring bars redistribute tongue weight to the front axle and trailer axles.
Watch on YouTube →Weight Distribution Hitch Guide (Canada)
When a heavy trailer squats the rear and lightens the front, a plain ball mount is not enough. This guide covers weight distribution (WD), sway control, and tongue weight — with CURT videos near the top.
Built for Canadian shoppers. Free shipping on CURT towing gear from Lots of Parts.
Pair this with the hitch buying guide, how to choose a hitch, and the trailer hitches collection. Prefer the full index? Open the towing guides hub.
Pair this with the hitch buying guide, how to choose a hitch, and the trailer hitches collection. Prefer the full index? Open the towing guides hub.
Official CURT videos (weight distribution)
Public videos from the CURT YouTube channel (@curtmfg). Watch here, then keep reading.
If an embed does not load in your browser, use the YouTube link under each card.
How To Set up A Weight Distribution Hitch
Walks through coupler height, target ball height, coupling, and chain adjustment so the tow vehicle sits level.
Watch on YouTube →Weight Distribution Trailer Hitch Install: 17200 Sway Control Kit
Useful when your trailer needs both load leveling and a dedicated sway-control path.
Watch on YouTube →TruTrack Weight Distribution Hitch with integrated Sway Control
Overview of a WD system that builds sway resistance into the head — compare with add-on sway bars.
Watch on YouTube →WD vs a plain ball mount
Plain ball mount
Fine for lighter loads
A standard shank + ball is enough when tongue weight is modest, the rear barely settles, and steering still feels normal.
- Match shank size, ball size, and drop/rise
- No spring bars or frame brackets
- Still limited by the lowest rating: vehicle, hitch, mount, ball
Weight distribution
When the front unloads
WD uses spring bars (or an integrated head) to push load forward onto the front axle and back onto the trailer axles.
- Need it when the rear squats, lights aim high, or steering feels light
- Receiver must be rated for weight-distributing loads
- Often paired with sway control on taller travel trailers
Tongue weight (the number that decides)
- What it is: Down-force on the hitch ball — usually about 10–15% of gross trailer weight (check your trailer manual).
- How to get it: Scale the coupler. Do not guess from GVWR alone.
- WD rating: Match the kit’s tongue-weight range to what you measured.
- Lowest rating wins: Vehicle WD capacity, hitch WD capacity, ball, and WD kit must all clear the load.
Sway control basics
Idea
Reduce yaw
Sway control resists side-to-side motion from wind, trucks, and sudden steering.
Types
Add-on vs integrated
Friction or cam bars bolt on. Some WD heads (like TruTrack) build sway resistance into the head.
Canada tip
Highway crosswinds
Prairie and coastal highways amplify sway. Once tongue weight is high, set up WD properly.
Limits
Not a magic fix
Bad loading, soft tires, or over-rating will still sway. Fix weight and pressure first.
Quick decision path
Step 1Confirm ratings
Vehicle + hitch class and WD rating on the product page / manual.
Step 2Measure TW
Tongue weight with a realistic travel load (water, cargo, batteries).
Step 3Choose WD
If the rear squats or the maker requires WD, pick a kit in the right TW band.
Step 4Add sway if needed
Tall trailers and windy routes often need sway control — see the sway guide.
Related guides & shopping
Hitch Buying GuideClass I–V, receivers, capacity basics
Choose a Hitch + VideosTruck / SUV / crossover recommendations
Ball Mount GuideDrop vs rise when WD is not required
Class 3 vs Class 4Receiver class comparison for Canada
Towing Guides HubAll guides + popular YMM landers
Trailer Hitches Collection
Shop CURT receivers rated for weight-carrying and weight-distributing loads. Confirm WD capacity on the product page before you order a WD kit.
Open trailer hitches →Also useful
Leveling starts with the right receiver and a correct ball height. Browse mounts when a full WD system is not required.
Ball mounts →Shop hitch by vehicle →
More help: towing guides hub · 5th wheel vs gooseneck · wiring & electrical · contact support
Trailer Hitches Collection
Shop CURT receivers rated for weight-carrying and weight-distributing loads. Confirm WD capacity on the product page before you order a WD kit.
Open trailer hitches →Also useful
Leveling starts with the right receiver and a correct ball height. Browse mounts when a full WD system is not required.
Ball mounts →Shop hitch by vehicle →
More help: towing guides hub · 5th wheel vs gooseneck · wiring & electrical · contact support
