Recommended Weight Distribution System for 6,000 Pound Kodiak Camper

Question:

I have a 2007 Chrysler Aspen and just purchased a 2005 Kodiak by Scamper RV trailer, it is rated at just under 4000 lbs GTW and 6000 lbs full, I couldnt find the tongue weight anywhere. I wanted advice on a weight distribution hitch. I am looking at the Fastway e2 8,000 lbs. GTW, 800 lbs. TW. I have bikes that will be on the back of the tow vehichle and will load the trunk. I have 4 kids with my wife and myself. Any advice would be appreciated. I have towed pop-up trailers before with a standard hitch. I am pretty sure the ball is 2. I have a ball here from my previous pop-up

asked by: Kevin R

Helpful Expert Reply:

When choosing a weight distribution system, the most important factor to consider is the total tongue weight of your towing setup. This will include the loaded tongue weight of your Kodiak Camper along with any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Chrysler Aspen, which will include the bike rack you mentioned. You will want this number to fall somewhere around the middle of the tongue weight capacity range for the system that you choose.

A trailer's tongue weight should be 10-15% of its total weight. Using the 6,000-pound loaded weight you referenced in your question; we can estimate your trailer's loaded tongue weight to be between 600 and 900 pounds. For easy e99044.

We can estimate around 200 additional pounds of weight that will be coming from behind the rear axle of your Aspen, especially when factoring in the bike racks and loaded bikes. This will give us an estimated 800 to 1,100 pounds of total tongue weight.

If you determine that your total tongue weight is equal to this estimate, then the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution System # FA94-00-0800 referenced in your question might be a bit under-rated. This system has a tongue weight capacity of 400-800 pounds.

I instead recommend looking at a higher-rated system like the Reese Steadi-Flex # RP66560. This system has a tongue weight capacity of 600 to 1,200 pounds and features integrated sway control to limit side-to-side movement of your trailer. The adjustable shank is included and you can use your existing 2 inch hitch ball as long as it has a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank.

I have attached a video demonstration on this system as well as an FAQ article on weight distribution systems that you might find helpful.