Sizing & Weight Guide for Safe Towing

Choosing the correct trailer sway control hitch isn’t about guessing — it’s about understanding real hitch weight, not marketing numbers. Selecting the right ProPride 3P® Hitch ensures maximum safety, proper weight distribution, and complete trailer sway elimination.

This guide walks you step-by-step through how to choose the correct ProPride 3P® model with confidence and avoid the most common mistakes that lead to poor towing performance.

Why Proper Hitch Sizing Matters More Than Most People Think

Many towing problems don’t come from the hitch design — they come from choosing the wrong capacity.

An undersized hitch can:

• Reduce the weight distribution effectiveness
• Increase stress on components
• Compromise handling and braking
• Lead to unsafe towing conditions

The ProPride 3P® Hitch is engineered to eliminate sway, but it must be sized correctly to perform at its best.

Hitch Weight vs Tongue Weight: What’s the Difference?

This is where most buyers get it wrong.

Tongue Weight

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer applies to the hitch ball.

Hitch Weight (What Really Matters)

Hitch weight is tongue weight plus the weight of everything attached to the hitch, including:

• The hitch head
• Spring bars
• Accessories
• Any add-ons or modifications

👉 ProPride 3P® model ratings are based on loaded hitch weight — not just tongue weight.

Why Manufacturer Tongue Weight Numbers Are Often Misleading

Trailer manufacturers typically list dry tongue weight, which does not include:

• Propane tanks
• Batteries
• Cargo
• Water
• Aftermarket accessories

In real-world towing, actual tongue weight is often hundreds of pounds heavier than advertised.

That’s why ProPride recommends sizing based on realistic, loaded conditions, not brochure numbers.

ProPride 3P® Hitch Models Explained

The number in each ProPride 3P® model represents the maximum weight distribution capacity for loaded hitch weight.

ProPride 3P-800

• Distributes up to 800 lbs of loaded hitch weight
• Ideal for lighter travel trailers

ProPride 3P-1000

• Distributes up to 1,000 lbs of loaded hitch weight
• Most common choice for mid-size trailers.

ProPride 3P-1400

• Distributes up to 1,400 lbs of loaded hitch weight
• Designed for larger trailers and heavier tongue weights

Is It Okay to Choose a Higher-Capacity Model?

Yes — and it’s often the best decision.

Choosing a higher-capacity ProPride 3P® Hitch:

• Does not harm your vehicle
• Provides additional top-end capacity
• Improves long-term flexibility
• Accounts for real-world loading

A higher-rated hitch gives you more margin and better weight distribution control.

How to Estimate Your Loaded Hitch Weight

If you don’t have access to a scale, follow this practical approach:

1. Start with the estimated loaded tongue weight
2. Add the weight of:
   1. Hitch components
   2. Accessories
   3. Any front-mounted cargo
3. Round up, not down

When in doubt, choose the next higher ProPride 3P® model.

Common Hitch Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Using Dry Tongue Weight

Dry numbers rarely reflect real towing conditions.

Mistake #2: Choosing the Minimum Capacity

Running at the top of a hitch’s rating leaves no margin for error.

Mistake #3: Assuming Bigger Trucks Fix Sway

Truck size does not change the trailer’s pivot point. Only the hitch geometry does.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Future Trailer Upgrades

Why ProPride 3P® Hitch Weight Is an Advantage

The ProPride 3P® Hitch weighs more than conventional anti-sway hitches — and that’s intentional.

More steel means:

• Greater strength
• More precise control
• Increased durability
• Long-term performance stability

This mass contributes to superior trailer sway elimination, not reduced capability.

Final Buying Advice: When in Doubt, Go Bigger

The ProPride 3P® Hitch is designed to be the last hitch you ever buy. Choosing the correct model ensures:

• Maximum safety
• Optimal weight distribution
• Full use of your tow vehicle’s capacity
• Consistent, stress-free towing

If you’re between sizes, the answer is simple: choose the higher-capacity ProPride 3P® Hitch.

Final Thoughts: Sizing It Right Means Towing It Right

A premium anti-sway hitch deserves proper sizing. When matched correctly, the ProPride 3P® Hitch delivers unmatched control, confidence, and true trailer sway elimination — mile after mile.

Sizing isn’t guesswork. It’s a safety decision.