Camco Elite Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control
Camco Elite Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control — Product description
The Camco Elite weight distribution hitch takes the tail-wag out of towing your boat. It's a round-bar kit rated for 8,000 lb gross trailer weight and 800 lb tongue weight, with built-in sway control, a 2-5/16 inch ball, and the shank all in the box. Level truck, straight-tracking trailer, confident tow.
If you tow a boat of any real size, you already know the feeling. The trailer's back there doing its own thing, the truck's nose feels light over bumps, and a passing semi sets the whole rig rocking. The Camco Elite weight distribution hitch is built to take that out of the equation. It spreads the trailer's tongue weight back across the truck's front axle and the trailer's own axles, so the tow vehicle sits level and steers like it should. Built-in sway control keeps the trailer tracking straight behind you instead of wandering.
This is the round-bar Elite kit rated for 800 pounds of tongue weight and 8,000 pounds of gross trailer weight. For most single-axle and lighter tandem-axle boat trailers, that covers a lot of ground. Think a loaded 20 to 24 foot bowrider, a center console with a full fuel tank, or a small cruiser on a tandem trailer. If your tongue weight lands under that 800 pound ceiling with the boat loaded the way you actually tow it, gear and coolers and all, this hitch is in its window.
The kit comes ready to bolt up. You get the head assembly, the round spring bars, the shank, and a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball already included. So you're not hunting down a ball in the right size or a separate shank before your first tow. Slide the shank into your receiver, set the head at the right angle, hang the bars, and you're distributing weight. We always tell folks to set it up once in the driveway with the boat loaded, get the head angle and bar tension dialed in, then mark your settings so every hookup after that is quick.
A few things worth knowing before you tow. Tongue weight matters more than people think. Measure it on level ground with the boat loaded the way you tow, and keep it under that 800 pound rating. Go over and the sway control stops doing its job the way it's meant to. The round bars want a little grease on the contact points once a season, otherwise they'll squeak under load on a long haul to the lake. And the spring clips that hold the bars in the brackets are wear items, so eyeball them before every trip and swap them yearly. None of this is hard. It's just the difference between a hitch that works for years and one that gets annoying.
On the towing side, this pairs naturally with a proper 7-way trailer plug and a brake controller rated for your trailer's weight. If you're towing a boat near the 8,000 pound mark, you want trailer brakes doing their share, and the weight distribution hitch keeps the truck planted so those brakes and your steering stay predictable. One note on shank length: boats with a deep V-hull sometimes sit tall on the trailer, and you may need a drop or a longer shank to get the coupler level. Measure your coupler height loaded before you assume the included shank drop is right for your setup.
Who's this for? Anybody towing a real boat behind a half-ton truck or SUV who's tired of the tail wagging the dog. First-time boat owners who just moved up to a trailer that outweighs what their bumper hitch was ever meant to handle. And seasoned trailer-boaters who want built-in sway control in one kit instead of bolting on a separate friction bar. Who's it not for? If your loaded tongue weight runs over 800 pounds, or your trailer's gross weight tops 8,000, you've outgrown this kit and want to step up to a heavier-rated setup. Match the hitch to the load, not the other way around.
Bottom line, a weight distribution hitch is one of those upgrades you feel the first mile down the road. The truck sits level, the steering firms up, and that white-knuckle sway when a gust or a semi hits just isn't there anymore. For towing your boat to the ramp and back with confidence, the Camco Elite kit is a straightforward, well-priced way to get there.
Key Features
- Round-bar spring bar design rated for 8,000 lb gross trailer weight and 800 lb tongue weight
- Built-in sway control keeps the trailer tracking straight in wind and passing traffic
- Includes a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball, so there's no separate ball to source
- Shank included, the kit bolts straight into a standard receiver
- Distributes tongue weight to the truck's front axle for level stance and predictable steering
- Adjustable head angle and bar tension so you can dial it in for your loaded trailer
- Elite-series kit ships complete and ready to set up in the driveway
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Camco reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Camco Elite Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control |
|---|---|
| Brand | Camco |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 48191 |
| UPC | 014717481915 |
| Series | Elite |
| Bar Style | Round Bar |
| Maximum Tongue Weight | 800 lb |
| Maximum Gross Trailer Weight | 8,000 lb |
| Sway Control | Built-In |
| Hitch Ball | Included |
| Hitch Ball Size | 2-5/16 inch |
| Shank | Included |
| Kit Type | Weight Distribution Hitch Kit |
Frequently asked questions
What weight can the Camco Elite hitch handle?
It's rated for a maximum tongue weight of 800 pounds and a maximum gross trailer weight of 8,000 pounds. Measure your loaded tongue weight before you tow and keep it under that 800 pound ceiling so the sway control works the way it's meant to.
Does the kit include a hitch ball?
Yes. A 2-5/16 inch hitch ball is included in the box, so you don't have to buy one separately. Just make sure your trailer coupler is also a 2-5/16 inch size.
Does it come with the shank?
It does. The shank is included, so the kit slides straight into a standard trailer receiver. You may still want a different drop or rise if your loaded coupler height needs it.
How does the built-in sway control work?
Sway control is integrated into the head assembly, so you don't have to bolt on a separate friction bar. It resists the side-to-side wander that wind gusts and passing trucks cause, keeping the trailer tracking straight behind you.
Can I use this to tow my boat trailer?
Absolutely, that's exactly what it's built for. As long as your loaded boat and trailer stay under 8,000 pounds gross and 800 pounds on the tongue, this kit levels the truck and steadies the tow to the ramp.
How do I set the right tongue weight?
Measure tongue weight on level ground with the boat loaded the way you actually tow, coolers and gear included. Aim to stay under the 800 pound rating. Too much tongue weight overwhelms the sway control and unloads the truck's front axle.
Do the round bars need maintenance?
A little. Grease the bar contact points about once a season or they can squeak under load on long tows. Also check the spring clips that hold the bars in the brackets before every trip and replace them yearly, since they're wear items.
What else do I need for a safe tow near the top of the rating?
Pair the hitch with a proper 7-way trailer plug and a brake controller rated for your trailer's weight. When you're towing close to 8,000 pounds, you want the trailer brakes carrying their share while the weight distribution keeps the truck planted.
Will the included shank clear a deep V-hull boat?
Sometimes a deep V-hull sits tall on its trailer and raises the coupler height. Measure your loaded coupler height first. You may need a drop or a longer shank to get the coupler level, which is what keeps the bars lifting evenly.
