Weight Distribution for 2015 Ford Expedition XLT Towing 7000-lb Glacier Bay Boat/Trailer
Question:
We plan to tow a 7,000# Glacier Bay with this vehicle. What is involved in using a weight distributing hitch? and will installing one void the warranty? Thanks.
asked by: Carol R
Expert Reply:
To tow your 7000-lb Glacier Bay boat/trailer with your 2015 Ford Expedition XLT and a weight distribution (WD) set-up you will first want to confirm that the specific version of the Expedition you have, and your installed hitch, both have the required towing capacity. Towing capacity varies depending on engine and transmission. Your hitch must also be rated for use with WD; it's safety sticker will indicate this along with its specific capacities.
Use of a WD system that is properly selected and installed will not void any warranties as long as the hitch and vehicle are appropriately rated for the load and providing that your trailer's design allows use of WD. Some boat trailers have a straight pole tongue (not an a-frame) that can require an adapter # RP58393 to allow the lift brackets for the WD system to be mounted on the trailer. Some aluminum trailers cannot use weight distribution systems so if your trailer is aluminum, check with the manufacturer (using the trailer VIN) before installing a WD system.
The key to selecting a WD system is knowing your fully-loaded trailer's actual tongue weight (TW) and adding to this the weight of anything that will sit in the vehicle behind the rear axle, say a loaded cooler for example. A WD system needs to be matched to your actual total TW in order for it to work properly. Ideally your total TW will fall right near the middle of the system's operating range. A tongue weight scale like the etrailer # e99044 is one of the ways to measure TW but others are outlined in the linked article.
Once you know your fully loaded trailer's TW you can choose a system that is rated appropriately to shift some TW forward onto the Expedition's front axle, but without being so stiff that it creates weird handling from the trailer. TW is usually in the range of 12 to 15-percent of gross trailer weight.
This would likely mean a TW in the range of 700 to 1000-lbs. For a 900-lb TW the Curt TruTrack system # C17500 would work well. It includes a 2-5/16-inch hitch ball.
I included a link to all WD systems. Click on your measured total tongue weight to see suitable options.
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 900 lbs
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Adapters
- Pole Tongue Adapters
- Reese
more information >
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