Selecting Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for Travel Trailer with 450-lb Dry Tongue Weight  

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Expert Reply:

The best trailer weight distribution/sway control system we offer is the Reese Strait-Line. Good as the Blue Ox and Curt products are, the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083 actually prevents sway from starting in the first place, instead of trying to fix it once it starts. Also the S-L allows you to back up the trailer without disconnecting anything and it is compatible with the electric brakes on your Fun Finder travel trailer. The two linked videos will show you the system's features.

Selecting a WD system requires you to know your fully-loaded trailer's tongue weight (TW) just as it will be loaded when you head out. All your loaded supplies and gear, filled water and propane tanks, etc will affect your TW. You also need to account for anything in the Tacoma's bed that is behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. This total figure is what you need to choose a WD system that has the correct stiffness to transfer weight onto your front axle without causing odd handling from the trailer. Ideally your total TW will fall into the middle of the operating range for the system you choose.

Reese system # RP66083 works for TW between 400 and 800-lbs. If your trailer's dry TW is 450-lbs, then once loaded it will likely be in the 550-600-lb range, which is perfect for this Reese system. All you need to add is a hitch ball like 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch # 19286.

The lift brackets for the S-L need about 5-1/2-inches of space along the sides of the trailer frame and they will install about 30-inches behind the hitch ball. If you don't have the space for the standard brackets you can use bolt-on brackets # RP58305.

expert reply by: Adam R

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