Recommendation for WD/Sway Control for 2007 Fleetwood Saratoga and 2010 Ford Flex

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Patrick, Here are the answers to your questions. This is from the Flex owners manual: ------------------------------------------------------ For towing trailers up to 3500 lb (1588 kg), use a weight carrying hitch and ball which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through the vehicle underbody structure. For towing trailers over 3500 lb (1588 kg), up to 4500 lb (2042 kg), it is recommended to use a weight distributing hitch to increase front axle load while towing. Hitches Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15 percent of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue. Weight distributing hitch When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the following procedure: 1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it can level. 2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of the vehicle. 3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper height is within 1/2 inch (13 mm) of the reference point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in Step 2. WARNING: Do not adjust a weight distributing hitch to any position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the weight distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and could result in serious personal injury. -------------------------------------------------------------- The tow length is 17 feet 3 inches. This Flex came from the factory with the Class III tow package, pre-wired for brake controller, and had built in sway control (must be part of the traction control system)

asked by: Ken G

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Expert Reply:

Tongue weight will depend on how you load it. I would check the Flex owners manual to see what the weight distribution capacity of the vehicle is. Some vehicles cannot use weight distribution systems. I am not sure on the Flex, but to be safe, I would strongly recommend checking the owners manual.

Some of the aftermarket hitches we have do allow use of weight distribution system and some do not. The ones that do, do not allow an increase in tow capacity. So I would imagine if your factory hitch cane be used with WD, it will still be limited to 450 pounds tongue weight.

The way to determine what weight distribution system you need is to establish the loaded tongue weight of the trailer. Loaded tongue weight can be estimated as 10-15 percent of the gross loaded trailer weight.

Since the GVRW of the trailer is 3500 pounds, that means the trailer cannot weigh more than that when fully loaded. That puts the tongue weight, when properly loaded within capacity limits, at 350 to 525 pounds. Assuming the WD can be used and you will be limited to 450 pounds tongue weight, you should use a weight distribution system with a tongue weight range of 100-600 pounds that way your tongue weight falls in the middle.

I know all this info may be a bit confusing, but I can help you work it out and recommend a specific kit or two. I will just need some more info from you first. Let me know what you find in the vehicle owners manual about use of weight distribution. Let me know the length of the trailer, this will help us determine if you need sway control and what kind.

expert reply by: Patrick B

0

Ken G.

7/13/2010

Patrick, Here are the answers to your questions. This is from the Flex owners manual: ------------------------------------------------------ For towing trailers up to 3500 lb (1588 kg), use a weight carrying hitch and ball which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through the vehicle underbody structure. For towing trailers over 3500 lb (1588 kg), up to 4500 lb (2042 kg), it is recommended to use a weight distributing hitch to increase front axle load while towing. Hitches Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15 percent of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue. Weight distributing hitch When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the following procedure: 1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it can level. 2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of the vehicle. 3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper height is within 1/2 inch (13 mm) of the reference point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in Step 2. WARNING: Do not adjust a weight distributing hitch to any position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the weight distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and could result in serious personal injury. -------------------------------------------------------------- The tow length is 17 feet 3 inches. This Flex came from the factory with the Class III tow package, pre-wired for brake controller, and had built in sway control (must be part of the traction control system)

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Patrick B.

7/13/2010

Perfect, thank you for the information. So, you have found that you have a 450 pound tongue weight capacity and 4,500 pound GTW capacity when using weight distribution. To allow full use of the 450 pound tongue weight capacity, one of the 100-600 pound WD systems would be best. Just make sure you load your trailer so that the tongue weight is 10-15 percent of the total weight and does not exceed 450 pounds tongue weight. If you are going to rely on the Ford Anti-Sway system, I would use Reese Heavy Duty Round Bar System, part # RP65509. This is a weight distribution system without sway control, but you can add it later if the Ford system is not enough. You will need a 2 inch ball # A-90 or 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286 as well. As I understand it, the Ford Anti-Sway system uses the computer to selectively apply the brakes to hold the vehicle in a straight line and the trailer will follow suit. This is a first in the automotive industry and I do not know how effective it is, as it is a new technology. If you would rather have an additional weight distribution system and not need it than be in the reverse situation, you can select a weight distribution system that includes sway control like part # RP66072. You can remove the dual-cam sway control if not needed. I would stay away from the WD systems that have integrated friction sway control as the sway control is not removable and we simply do not know how these systems interact with the Ford Anti-Sway system.

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Recommendation for WD/Sway Control for 2007 Fleetwood Saratoga and 2010 Ford Flex

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