Weight Distribution for a 2015 Ford F-250 and 4,500 Pound Casita Travel Trailer

Question:

MY Tow Vehicle: 2015 F250 Diesel, 4x4, 10,000 GVWR w/ Air Lift spring assists My trailer tongue weight is currently is 400 lbs with no water in the rear tank. I am adding a battery and steel fabricated carrier that could add 80-100 lbs to the tongue weight. These WDH hitches are about 75 lbs. Total trailer weight 3500-4500lbs Casita. I have a modified suspension. I carry max cargo in the truck, and with the tongue weight I could be very close to my 10,000 Tow Vehicle GVWR. Realistically my tongue weight could vary between 400 and 600 lbs. With some weight in the rear of the trailer and not Your part# RP66558 tongue weight range is 200-600 lbs. Your part# RP66559 tongue weight range is 500-1000lbs. Which should I get. I still want good anti-sway with lighter tongue weights too.

asked by: Byron

Expert Reply:

When calculating tongue weight for a weight distribution system you don't factor in the weight of the system itself but you do factor in the weight of anything carried behind the rear axle of your 2015 Ford F-150. This is because the weight distribution system would have to lift cargo behind the rear axle in the tow vehicle.

Based on the weights you have specified in your question I recommend going with the 600 pound system, # RP66558. This system comes with a shank so you will just need a ball, # 19286. The included shank has a max rise of 7 inches and max drop of 1-1/4 inches. Other shanks are available separately if more rise or drop is needed.

Please note that trailer tongue weight alone is usually 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight and that is not counting anything carried behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. So if the trailer is 4,500 pounds maximum the tongue weight of just the trailer would be 450 to 675. If the weight in the truck bed behind the rear is greater than 125 pounds you would need to go up to the next highest rated system, # RP66560, rated for 600 to 1,200 pounds tongue weight.

I have included some helpful links on weight distribution and on determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H