How to Select Correctly-Rated Weight Distribution System for Travel Trailer  

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Expert Reply:

Weight distribution/sway control systems (WD/SC) are really tuned to the trailer's actual fully-loaded tongue weight (TW), more than to the tow vehicle itself. These systems need to be matched to the total effective tongue weight of the trailer, with all gear and supplies loaded, water and propane tanks filled, just as when you head out on a trip. You also need to factor in the weight of any cargo in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle since this too will act like TW. The weight of an item like a fully packed cooler or a generator sitting in the rear cargo area must be added to the trailer's actual TW to get the total weight the system will have to handle.

We offer a handy TW scale from # e99044, but other methods for measuring trailer TW are outlined in the linked article. I also linked an article with general WD info you can check out if you like.

If your Forest River has a dry hitch weight of 415-lbs, then by the time you fill your tanks and load your supplies and recreational items you are likely to be looking at an actual TW of about 700-lbs.
Try to load the trailer as consistently as possible on your trips so that your WD/SC system can do what it is intended to do: shift trailer weight forward to the tow vehicle front axle and to prevent the trailer from going into swaying mode from wind gusts and passing trucks.

The linked page displays all WD/SC systems for 2-inch hitches that include a shank. Click on your total TW figure to see suitable options. For a 700-lb TW you can consider the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37100ET which works over a TW range from 600- to 1000-lbs. It includes everything but you might want to add the thin-walled socket # EQ70-00-4800 for hitch ball installation. This system's frame brackets are smaller than most, making them easier to place on the trailer frame. Please refer to the linked video for more.

expert reply by: Adam R

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