Weight Distribution System for Keystone Passport Ultra Lite 2850RL Towed by 2012 Ram 1500

Question:

I will be towing a Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring 2850 RL trailer behind a 2012 Ram 1500. The trailer has a dry weight of 5085 pounds .The Ram can tow up to 10100 pounds. Should I use a weight distributing hitch with the Dodge?

asked by: Tricia S

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system is usually required when a loaded trailer weighs more than half the weight of the tow vehicle. The Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring 2850RL has a GVWR of 7200-lbs so weight distribution/sway control system will benefit you in keeping your Ram level for good steering and braking performance. A system with built-in sway prevention (recommended) will also keep the trailer steadier when it is hit by wind blasts from passing vehicles.

The trailer's dry hitch weight is 650-lbs, so by the time you fill your tanks and load your supplies your actual tongue weight will be closer to 900-lbs. The ideal situation is that your total TW, which includes the loaded trailer TW plus the weight of any cargo behind the truck's rear axle (like a generator), will fall in the middle of the system's operating range. We offer a handy scale # e99044 but other methods to measure TW are noted in the linked article.

The Equal-I-zer system you referenced, part # EQ37060ET, works over a TW range of 200- to 600-lbs so it will be too light for your trailer. You will want to use a system rated for higher TW, such as # EQ37100ET which works for TW from 600- to 1000-lbs. This is shown in the linked videos. You'll also need a thin-walled socket # ALL643216 to install the included hitch ball.

expert reply by: Adam R