How to Select Weight Distribution System for Use with Multiple Trailers

Question:

I am looking for a weight distribution hitch and thinking about the Fastway. We currently have a popup that we are pulling with a mini-van - so I dont need anything hefty. But in the future I can see us upgrading both to a truck and a bigger camper. My question is, is there any reason I shouldnt go ahead and purchase a bigger hitch that can handle more weight so I dont have to upgrade in the future?

asked by: Kent W

Expert Reply:

Weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) systems really need to be tuned to the actual tongue weight (TW) of the fully-loaded trailer, with all cargo and supplies in place and with tanks filled.
Different systems have spring bars that are rated for a specific TW range, usually a range of several hundred pounds. It is possible to select a system now for your current pop-up, and when the time comes to get a new larger trailer just change the spring bars to a set that is rated appropriately for the new trailer's actual loaded TW. You can also swap out the shank for one that will work with a taller vehicle like a pickup.

To the actual measured trailer TW you need to add the weight of anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a fully-loaded cooler or generator. This behind-the-axle cargo acts just like trailer TW so it needs to be added in to allow you to choose a system that will work correctly. A system rated too low will not give you the desired forward weight shift you want to keep your vehicle level; one rated too high can result in a jumpy ride from the trailer.

We offer a TW scale # e99044 that makes measuring easy but other methods are outlined in the linked article. Most WD/SC systems work over a range of several hundred pounds. The ideal is that your actual total TW figure will fall in the middle of the system's operating range. This will ensure it does what it is supposed to do without causing any weird handling side-effects.

The linked page displays all WD/SC systems for 2-inch hitches that include the shank component and that allow you to back up the trailer without having to disconnect anything. These have sway prevention that is integrated right into the head, rather than using a separate friction type arm that you would have to disconnect each time you need to reverse. These integrated systems will deliver superior performance.

Let's say that your current fully-loaded trailer has 300-lbs of measured TW, and that you have a 100-lb cooler in the back of the van. This total 400-lb TW means that now you can use a system like the Equal-i-zer # EQ37060ET which works well over a TW range of 200- to 600-lbs. When the times comes to get a new trailer, and let's say total TW will be 700-lbs, you can just install a set of bars like # EQ90-01-1099.