Selecting Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for Utility Transporting 1200-lb UTV

Question:

I am looking at your FASTWAY e2 weight dis.w/2 point sway control-round 8000lb.GTW/800 lb. tongue weight and wondering if it would be the right hitch for me. I have a 1200 lb. utility trailer that I transport a 1200 lb. utv with. The hitch on my ford explorer sport trac is rated for 500 lbs. Is this the right one for me or would you recommend something different ? Thanks

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

The key to selecting the right weight distribution (WD) and sway control (SC) system is to first determine your trailer's actual fully-loaded tongue weight (TW). This is the measure that will let you select a system with enough stiffness to shift some of that TW forward onto the Explorer's front axle, but without being so stiff that it creates weird handling from the trailer. You also have to account for the weight of anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler, generator or tool box. Once you know this total TW figure you can choose a WD/SC system. Also, make sure your hitch's safety sticker says it is rated for use with WD.

Ideally you'll tow the trailer a few times without WD to give you a baseline understanding of it's handling. This will let you find the best spot for the UTV in terms of minimizing sway. Keep in mind that since your trailer load is a wheeled vehicle, you will want to be consistent with how you load it. Where you position the UTV on the trailer will affect TW. TW should be in the area of 12 to 15-percent of gross trailer weight.

We offer a scale # e99044 that makes this measurement easy but there are also other methods outlined in the linked article. Ideally your total effective TW will fall right near the middle of the operating range for the system you select.

Let's just say you measure your TW and find it to be 400-lbs. Click on that TW figure on the linked page to see suitable WD/SC systems. The best option I can offer is the Reese Strait-Line system # RP66082. The Strait-Line actually prevents sway from starting, rather than reacting to it once you have the problem. You can reverse the trailer without having to remove the system and it is compatible with electric drum brakes. All you need to add is a hitch ball, either 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch # 19286.

The Fastway system # FA94-00-0800 that you referenced works for TW from 400- to 800-lbs; this would be too stiff for your probable TW. A TW of 600-lbs would be ideal for this system.