Weight Distribution for a Toyota FJ Cruiser and Forest River Rpod 178

Question:

I have a Toyota FJ Cruiser and tow a 20foot forest river rpod 178. Dry weight 2700 lbs. Two golf cart batteries, 1 propane tank on tongue. Little weight in rear of vehicle. I want sway control that I do not have to remove for reversing. Is this unit the best one for me?

asked by: Rpod178

Expert Reply:

To choose a weight distribution system you will need to go by the total tongue weight of the set up. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

So let's say the trailer weighs 3,500 pounds when ready to tow. That would put the tongue weight at 350 to 525 pounds (10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight). A 1,000 pound system such as # EQ37100ET would be rated much too high.

For a system with sway control that allows backing up and that is rated for 200 to 600 pounds tongue weight I recommend the Reese Strait-Line system # RP66082. This system uses dual-cam sway control that prevents sway from starting. You would just need to add a ball, # A-90 for a 2 inch or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch. The included shank has a max rise of 6-1/2 inches and max drop of 1-1/4 inches. Other shanks are available separately if more rise or drop is needed.

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

expert reply by: Michael H