Weight Distribution and Sway Control Recommendation for a 2010 Ford F-150 and Coyote Trailer  

Question:

Expert Reply:

To determine the best weight distribution and sway control to use with your Coyote trailer and 2010 Ford F-150, the most important thing to consider is the tongue and gross trailer weights of the trailer. Also, check to make sure your hitch is rated for use with a weight distribution system.

If your trailer weighs 4,500 pounds and has a 380 pound tongue weight, you will need a system that encompasses that range. The Reese Weight Distribution System, # RP66540, is in that range. This system uses friction sway control. This is a reactive system that tries to stop trailer sway after sway has already started.

A better system in terms of sway control would be the Reese Round Bar Strait-Line Hitch with Shank, # RP66086. This system also has a tongue weight capacity of 200 to 600 pounds but it uses pro-active, dual-cam sway control. This type of sway control stops trailer sway before it starts. This system also comes with the necessary shank required to use the system. You would then just need to add a ball, like # A-90 (2 inch diameter) or # 19286 (2-5/16 inch diameter) if you do not already have one.

If 380 pounds is the dry tongue weight, you will need to know the tongue weight of the trailer loaded and ready to tow. Tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of gross trailer weight. If your trailer tongue weight with the trailer loaded and ready to tow is greater than 600 pounds, you will need to move up to the next highest system, # RP66087.

I have also added a video showing a common installation of a weight distribution system and an FAQ article on weight distribution and sway control below.

expert reply by: Michael H

0