Recommended Weight Distribution/Sway Prevention for 7K Travel Trailer

Question:

Hello, I am in process of purchasing a TT with a 5220# dry weight and 7000 gvwr with an estimated 650# TW. My tow vehicle is a Ford Raptor with 6.2L gas engine. I am looking at the reese RP66084 WDH and wanted to get your opinion if this was the best option for my setup. Im looking for anti-sway with backup ability and hopefully no- low noise level while turning as Ive read that this is an issue on some setups. Thanks.

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

The key to selecting the right weight distribution/sway control system is to match it to your actual fully-loaded trailer tongue weight (TW) with all gear and supplies loaded. To this figure you'll add the weight of anything in the truck bed that sits behind the rear axle, say a loaded cooler or generator.

With this total TW figure known you can choose a system rated appropriately to give you the desired shift of trailer TW forward onto the truck's front axle, but without being so stiff that it leads to weird handling from the trailer. Ideally your total TW will fall right near the middle of the operating range for the system. Ways to measure TW, like scale # e99044, are noted in the linked article.

The Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution/Sway Control System # RP66084 works with TW ranging from 600- to 1200-lbs, meaning that an actual total TW of around 900-950-lbs would make it an ideal choice. This advanced system is widely considered to be among the best available options; it is compatible with electric trailer brakes and it allows backing up the trailer. All you need to add is the hitch ball, part # A-90 for a 2-inch or part # 19286 for a 2-5/16-inch. A review video for this system is linked for you. Note that the 5-1/2-inch-wide lift brackets will mount on your trailer frame about 30-inches back from hitch ball.

If your TW is not suitable for this particular system you can use the linked page to select your actual
total TW figure and see systems with the correct stiffness. Or, if your trailer frame does not have enough room for the Reese brackets then a system like the Equal-i-zer # EQ37120ET, which works with TW from 800- to 1200-lbs, may be a better choice due to its much smaller brackets that are only 2-inches wide. A thin-walled socket # EQ70-00-4800 is recommended for installing the hitch ball in this system.

All WD system will generate some amount of noise in normal operation.