What is Purpose of Long Spacer Plate in Curt Friction Sway Control # 17200

Question:

what on earth is the point of 8 screws for the spacer plate when only four are holding the ball onto the frame? Why weaken the frame more with 4 useless holes. Expert Reply: The spacer plate included in the Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems # 17200 is optional and only needs to be installed if achieving proper alignment is needed. The additional holes on the plate are for added adjustability as to where the ball can be positioned on the spacer plate. - I must be seriously missing something. I can not for the life of me figure out what you mean by adjustability of the spacer plate. The sway bar trailer ball is a part of a square plate with 4 holes and the 24inch measurement determines where you drill for these 4 holes. The spacer plate just goes underneath it and adjusts only the distance the ball is from the trailer frame by about 3/16. Any 4 hole square spacer the size of the 1st one could do that. So why this long spacer plate with 4 more holes 2 of which appear to be completely useless. Does adjustability mean that the 24inch measurement is adjustable? This has me baffled and I fear I am missing something and installing this wrong. Please advise.

asked by: Phil

Expert Reply:

The included spacer plate on the Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems # 17200 is completely optional. If it is needed to achieve proper alignment, the additional holes on the plate offer various mounting locations for the ball. Then the remaining holes are to provide further attachment points to the trailer frame for added stability using the self-tapping screws. I have attached a video review and the explanation and visuals of how exactly the plate is used comes in at around the 1:32 mark.

expert reply by: Chris R