Recommended Weight Distribution System For Trailer With 358 lb Loaded Tongue Weight

Question:

I have need towing for 2 years now without a WDH, here is my set up....WDH for 2010 AWD Ford Flex with factory tow trailer is 3300lbs/358 TW vs the Flex 4500lbs/450 TW The back end of the flex is sagging more, noticed the chain are lower and dragging across speed bumps and driveways. I do load up the trailer but conscious of where my weight Id distributed in the trailer. 3 kids and a big dog with tons of camping stuff. A couple of questions.... Will WDH reduce the sagging or do I need up grade the suppension? I am concerned air bags will puncture and I do not know where to purchase and install in Vancouver BC. Will the WDH be a solution and how does anti sway work with Ford having on built into the receiver? Also need to divide a way to bring 4 bikes along without loading the hitch weight?

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

For your 2010 Ford Flex and your trailer with 358 lb tongue weight, I recommend you get a weight distribution system rated for up to 600 lbs. The reason for this is any cargo behind the rear axle of your vehicle acts like tongue weight for your system and is added to your total tongue weight rating. This will give you adequate weight for your cargo as well as accommodate your trailer loaded tongue weight.

For this system I recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW # EQ37060ET. This will ease the sag in your Flex by distributing the weight better. It will also give you integrated sway control for your trailer that is metal on metal friction that will be far superior to any factory hitch sway control. This system comes with a hitch ball, and I recommend the 1-7/8" 12pt Socket - 3/4" Drive - Chromium-Vanadium Steel # ALL643216 for that installation. This system is rated for 200-600 lbs total tongue weight and ideally you want to be close to the middle of that range.

If you want to further help your suspension system and give it a longer life, I recommend adding the Air Lift AirLift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs - Rear # AL60821. These springs do not replace your current suspension so if anything were to go wrong, you would still have your current working suspension. They are manual adjustable so you can account for off-center loads.

To give you the bike rack option without loading the tongue, I recommend adding a hitch to your trailer like the Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver for RVs, 22" to 72" Wide # 13703. This is a weld on or bolt on hitch for using an RV rated bike rack like the Swagman Trailhead 4-Bike Rack for 2" Hitches - Non-Folding # S63381. For a hanging rack like this, I recommend the Swagman Deluxe Bike Frame Adapter Bar for Women's, Children's, and Alternative Frame Bikes # 64005.