How to Select Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for 36-Foot 9000-lb Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a 2013 F150 4x4 super crew with the 3.5l Ecoboost. If I use the Superspring SSA28 kit, do I need to use a weight distribution setup with friction antisway? I am pulling a 36foot travel trailer at around 9,000lbs. Note: I have pulled this with one friction antisway and the weight distribution setup, works ok but not great on a windy day or passing a large truck.

asked by: Rob O

Expert Reply:

Friction bar anti-sway systems work better on smaller and lighter trailers although doubling up with two units can work satisfactorily with some longer trailers. Still, the performance of an integrated weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system will beat simple friction units any day of the week. I suggest you first install a properly-rated WD/SC system, before making mods to your truck's suspension, since you may find that you do not need the Superspring kit at all.

The key to choosing a WD/SC system is knowing the actual measured tongue weight (TW) of the trailer, with all gear and supplies loaded, and to this adding the weight of anything in the truck bed that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator, since this too acts just like trailer TW. We offer a handy scale # e99044 but other methods for measuring TW are outlined in the linked article.

All WD systems operate over a range of TW. The ideal is having your total TW fall near the middle of the system's operating range. This means the system will be stiff enough to provide the desired weight shift up to your truck's front axle but without causing any weird handling effects. For an example, we will assume your 9K trailer has a TW of about 1200 to 1300-lbs, which is about 14-15% of its gross weight.

The linked page displays all WD/SC systems for 2-inch hitches that include the shank component. Just click on your total measured TW to see suitable options. An excellent choice is the
Equal-i-zer system # EQ37140ET which works over a TW range of 1000 to 1400-lbs. This system comes complete with a 2-5/16-inch hitch ball. All you might want to add is a thin-walled socket # EQ70-00-4800 for ball installation.