Buying guide · 10 min read · Updated October 2, 2026

6 Best Weight Distribution Hitch For Travel Trailer in 2026: A Practical RV Guide

A travel trailer weight distribution shortlist with one 13,000 lb and two heavy-rated kits, sized by tongue weight, plus three CURT parts for existing hitches.

By Bowen HigginsRV Editor at RV Gear Lab6 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

At a glance

Our top picks

Travel trailers put a lot of weight on the ball in a short distance, which is why a weight distribution hitch is standard equipment for many of them. This shortlist has three complete kits (Blue Ox, Camco and CURT) and three small parts for CURT hitches, so the first job is deciding whether you are buying a hitch or repairing one.

Size the kit to the trailer's loaded tongue weight, which is commonly 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight, and ask whether the tow vehicle's maker allows weight distribution. The picks are ranked by how clearly their listings state ratings, not by price.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Rig Fit Check

Start with the job: Blue Ox BXW01350 TrackPro Weight Distribution Hitch leads this shortlist for Large travel trailers. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
Specs that separate the picks: The first details to compare are 13,000 lb, 1,300 lb tongue weight, 1,200 lb TR3 kit, 14,000 lb MV round bar. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
Trade-off to plan for: 2-inch receiver only

Before you buy

What Matters Before You Choose a Weight Distribution Hitch For Travel Trailer

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

01
Travel trailer tongue weight
A loaded travel trailer often puts 10 to 15 percent of its weight on the ball, so a 7,500 lb trailer lands between 750 and 1,125 lb. Spring bars rated for a figure at or somewhat above that restore weight to the front axle without being too stiff. Weigh the trailer loaded for a trip, because cargo and full tanks change the number.
02
Gross rating versus tow vehicle
Blue Ox BXW01350 states 13,000 lb, but the tow vehicle's tow rating, gross combined rating and receiver rating still apply. The weakest rating limits the whole rig, regardless of what the hitch states. Read the door-jamb and owner's manual figures before choosing.
03
Sway control you can switch off
Clamp-adjusted sway control such as Camco TR3 1,200 can be turned off for backing and slippery roads. Some owners prefer that, while others prefer a system that stays engaged. Check the manual for when to release it.
04
Grease and maintenance
CURT 17057 has a grease zerk, and its listing says grease must be applied. Neglected round bar contact points can wear and make noise. Plan a regular greasing routine before choosing a round bar hitch.
05
Spare parts compatibility
CURT 17350 Bolt Kit and CURT 17111 Chains fit named CURT models, and Perfect Pairz Retainers list CURT 17600 and 17601. A part that does not match the model stamped on your hitch is useless. Compare the part number before ordering.

Our standards

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

At RV Gear Lab, we compare products based on rig fit and power or hookup compatibility, verified specifications, usability, setup requirements, weight, durability, and real-world trade-offs. We do not rank products purely on marketing claims or commission rates.

We have not personally tested every product listed. Where hands-on testing is not available, recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product documentation, use-case fit, and comparative research.

How we review RV gear →

Detailed reviews

The 6 best weight distribution hitch for travel trailer, explained

Best Overall · 1 of 6

Blue Ox BXW01350 TrackPro Weight Distribution Hitch

13,000 lb, 1,300 lb tongue weight
TrackPro, 2-inch receiver
7-hole shank, 2-5/16 ball

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Large travel trailers

Our take

Best for a large travel trailer with a tongue weight up to about 1,300 lb.

Why it made the shortlist

Blue Ox's BXW01350 TrackPro states a 13,000 lb gross towing rating and 1,300 lb tongue weight with a 2-inch receiver and a pre-installed ball. Blue Ox's BXW01350 TrackPro is a weight distribution hitch with spring bars rated 1,300 lb tongue weight and 13,000 lb gross towing, a 2-inch receiver, a 7-hole shank and a pre-installed 2-5/16 inch ball.

It states more than Camco TR3 1,200 and has a higher tongue weight rating than the CURT 17057 listing, which gives none.

What works

Bars rated 1,300 lb tongue weight
Rated 13,000 lb gross towing
Pre-installed 2-5/16 inch ball
Manages sway from roads, wind and weather

Watch out for

2-inch receiver only

Check price on Amazon

Best Sway-Switchable · 2 of 6

Camco Eaz-Lift TR3 Camper RV Weight Distribution Hitch Kit

1,200 lb TR3 kit
2-5/16 inch ball, 15,000 lb
Clamp-adjusted sway control

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Switchable sway control

Our take

Best for a mid-size travel trailer with a tongue weight under 1,200 lb.

Why it made the shortlist

Camco's TR3 is a 1,200 lb kit with clamp-adjusted sway control that turns off for backing. The title lists the kit as 1,200 lb, while the text cites a 2-5/16 inch ball rated 15,000 lb and 1,500 lb tongue weight.

The title's 1,200 lb figure is the safer one to use.

What works

Sway control adjusts by clamp and switches off for backing
Hitch ball rated 15,000 lb
Built to avoid metal-on-metal wear
Pre-assembled TR3 kit

Watch out for

Title says 1,200 lb but text cites 1,500 lb ball

Check price on Amazon

Best Round Bar Value · 3 of 6

CURT 17057 MV Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch

14,000 lb MV round bar
2-inch shank
Grease zerk fitting

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Round bar value

Our take

Best for a travel trailer owner who accepts greasing and will add sway control separately.

Why it made the shortlist

CURT's 17057 is a 14,000 lb MV round bar hitch with a grease zerk and a 2-inch shank. The listing says grease must be applied to keep the bars lubricated.

What works

Rated up to 14,000 lb
Round bar design with grease zerk
Redistributes part of the tongue weight

Watch out for

Grease must be applied at the zerk
No sway control included

Check price on Amazon

Best Trunnion Spare · 4 of 6

Curt Manufacturing 17350 Bolt Kit for Trunnion Bar Weight Distribution

Trunnion bar bolt kit
For CURT trunnion hitches
Zinc finish

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Bolt kit

Our take

Best for restoring a worn CURT trunnion hitch.

Why it made the shortlist

CURT's 17350 is a bolt kit for CURT trunnion bar hitches. CURT's 17350 is a bolt kit for CURT trunnion bar weight distribution hitches with a corrosion-resistant zinc finish.

It is a repair part rather than a hitch and sits far below the kits above in cost.

What works

Compatible with CURT trunnion hitches
Strong steel
Corrosion-resistant zinc finish

Watch out for

Not a hitch, just bolts
Fits only CURT trunnion models

Check price on Amazon

Best Chain Spare · 5 of 6

CURT 17111 Replacement Weight Distribution Hitch Chain Kit

Replacement chain kit
All CURT WD except TruTrack
U-bolts included

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Chain kit

Our take

Best for replacing damaged chains on an older CURT hitch.

Why it made the shortlist

CURT's 17111 is a replacement chain kit for CURT weight distribution hitches except TruTrack. CURT's 17111 is a replacement chain kit for CURT weight distribution hitches except TruTrack. It attaches to spring bars with the included U-bolts and offers multiple links for tension.

It replaces the chains that connect spring bars to the frame and costs far less than a new hitch.

What works

Compatible with most CURT weight distribution hitches
Attaches with included U-bolts
Multiple links for tension

Watch out for

Not a hitch, just chains
Not for TruTrack

Check price on Amazon

Best Retainer Spare · 6 of 6

Replacement Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch for CURT 17109 Retainer Package for RVs

Round bar retainer package
2 clips, 2 pins, 2 rivets
For CURT 17600 or 17601

Check price on Amazon

Best for: Retainer package

Our take

Best for replacing lost round bar retainers.

Why it made the shortlist

Perfect Pairz sells clips, locking pins and rivets that keep round bar spring bars on the bracket. Perfect Pairz sells a replacement retainer package for round bar weight distribution hitches with two clips, two locking pins and two rivets.

It is a third-party retainer set for CURT 17600 and 17601 style systems and costs about the same as other retainer parts.

What works

Includes two clips, two locking pins and two rivets
Keeps the spring bar locked to the bracket
Fits CURT 17600 or 17601

Watch out for

Not a hitch, just retainers
Third-party part

Check price on Amazon

Methodology

How We Built This Shortlist

Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Rating clarity

Listings that state both gross trailer weight and tongue weight were placed above those that give only one.

Travel trailer loads

Stated ratings were compared with the 10 to 15 percent tongue weight guide for loaded travel trailers.

Sway features

Sway control wording was noted, including switchable and bolt-on types.

Hitch versus part

Parts were separated from complete kits so a bolt kit does not look like a hitch.

Maintenance

Grease zerks and replaceable parts were weighed as long-term costs.

Decision guide

Match a Weight Distribution Hitch For Travel Trailer to Your RV

By Tongue Weight

Your situation	Recommended pick	Why
Up to about 1,300 lb	Blue Ox BXW01350	States 1,300 lb tongue weight.
Up to about 1,200 lb with switchable sway	Camco TR3 1,200	1,200 lb title with clamp-adjusted sway.
Around 1,000 lb, round bar, no sway included	CURT 17057	14,000 lb round bar with no stated tongue weight.
Repairing a CURT trunnion	CURT 17350 Bolt Kit	Bolt kit for trunnion hitches.
Replacing chains on a CURT hitch	CURT 17111 Chains	Chain kit except TruTrack.

By Budget

Budget	Recommended pick
$0 to $20	Perfect Pairz Retainers or CURT 17111 Chains
$40 to $330	CURT 17350 Bolt Kit or CURT 17057
$520 to $760	Camco TR3 1,200 or Blue Ox BXW01350

Round Bar vs Switchable Sway Kit

Round bar

Round bar kits are simple and usually cheaper but need greasing. CURT 17057 is the round bar pick here.

Switchable sway kit

Switchable sway kits add an on and off control for backing. Camco TR3 1,200 is the example.

Most travel trailer owners should start with Blue Ox BXW01350 if the tongue weight is high, and Camco TR3 1,200 if switchable sway control matters.

By Maintenance Preference

Preference	Recommended pick
Low maintenance, no grease	Blue Ox BXW01350
Clamp-adjusted sway control	Camco TR3 1,200
Willing to grease for a lower price	CURT 17057
Replacing worn retainers	Perfect Pairz Retainers

For a Loaded Weekend Trailer Specifically

Look for

Look for stated tongue weight, gross trailer weight and an included shank and ball.

In this comparison

Blue Ox BXW01350 states both ratings and includes a pre-installed ball, while CURT 17057 states only the gross rating.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

Spend more for stated ratings and a pre-installed ball, where Blue Ox BXW01350 beats CURT 17057.

Save if

Save with CURT 17057 if you will grease it and add sway control separately.

FAQ

Before You Bring One Home

How much tongue weight does a travel trailer have?

A loaded travel trailer typically puts 10 to 15 percent of its weight on the ball. A 7,500 lb loaded trailer is therefore roughly 750 to 1,125 lb. Measure it with a tongue scale for a reliable number.

Do I need a weight distribution hitch for every travel trailer?

Not every one, but many travel trailer and tow vehicle makers recommend or require one above a stated trailer weight. Check the tow vehicle's manual for its rule. If the rear sags or the front steering feels light, a weight distribution hitch is the usual fix.

Is Blue Ox BXW01350 worth more than Camco TR3 1,200?

It states a higher tongue weight and gross trailer rating, so it suits heavier trailers. Camco TR3 1,200 adds switchable sway control. Choose by your trailer's loaded tongue weight first.

How do I adjust the bars on a travel trailer?

Level the trailer first, then tension the bars until the front wheel well recovers about half of the height lost. Measure again after loading. Keep the bars close to parallel with the A-frame.

What should I check on a used travel trailer hitch?

Look for worn washers, damaged chains or missing retainers. Parts such as CURT 17350 Bolt Kit and CURT 17111 Chains replace those pieces on CURT models.

Bottom line

The short version

Browse more weight distribution hitch for travel trailer on Amazon →

About the author

Bowen Higgins

RV Editor at RV Gear Lab

Bowen covers RV power, water systems, towing and leveling, upkeep and interior comfort, with a focus on matching gear to the rig, the hookups and the way you actually travel.

6 Best Weight Distribution Hitch For Travel Trailer in 2026: A Practical RV Guide

Our top picks

The Rig Fit Check

What Matters Before You Choose a Weight Distribution Hitch For Travel Trailer

Travel trailer tongue weight

Gross rating versus tow vehicle

Sway control you can switch off

Grease and maintenance

Spare parts compatibility

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

The 6 best weight distribution hitch for travel trailer, explained

How We Built This Shortlist

Rating clarity

Travel trailer loads

Sway features

Hitch versus part

Maintenance

Match a Weight Distribution Hitch For Travel Trailer to Your RV

By Tongue Weight

By Budget

Round Bar vs Switchable Sway Kit

By Maintenance Preference

For a Loaded Weekend Trailer Specifically

When to Spend More

Before You Bring One Home

How much tongue weight does a travel trailer have?

Do I need a weight distribution hitch for every travel trailer?

Is Blue Ox BXW01350 worth more than Camco TR3 1,200?

How do I adjust the bars on a travel trailer?

What should I check on a used travel trailer hitch?

The short version

Bowen Higgins

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