Recommendation for Fighting Trailer Sway

Question:

Thank you. I would like to use one of the WDH you sell, but my TV is a 2011 Honda Ridgeline with a factory installed hitch. Honda does not recommend using a WDH, but I know that plenty of Ridgeline owners use one. What do you recommend?

asked by: Dale S

Expert Reply:

If you are wanting to use a Friction Sway Control Kit, like part # 83660, then all you will need is the Reese Sway-Control Bracket # RP26003 for your 2 inch ball mount.

As convenient as the price of a sway control kit is, I highly recommend going with a Weight Distribution (WD) system instead. Not only will it ensure that your towing setup is level, but it will also have an integrated sway control that allows you to back up, unlike the kit.

When you choose a WD system you will want to make sure that the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of your setup falls within the Tongue Weight (TW) range of the WD system. You can find your TTW by adding the TW of your fully loaded and ready-to-go trailer along with the weight of any cargo behiind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. Keep in mind that a properly loaded trailer will have a TW that is 10-15% of the loaded weight of your trailer.

I recommend going with the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution # FA94-00-0600 as it is a great cost-effective option that has received many excellent customer reviews. You will need to make sure that your TTW falls in the middle of the 400 -lb - 600-lb TW of this system though. One of the best things is that it has integrated sway control which allows you to backup and doesn't require setting something else up.

You will need to supply your own hitch ball to use this system. You can use the 2 inch # EQ91-00-6080 or 2-5/16 inch # EQ91-00-6100 hitch ball depending on your application.

I have attached a review video for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

Dale S.

10/13/2017

Jon G.

10/13/2017

Since the owner's manual for your 2011 Honda Ridgeline says that using a WD system is not recommended, it would be best to follow their guidelines since they have done the testing on your vehicle. Because of this you would be better off using the Friction Sway Control Kit # 83660 and the Reese Sway-Control Bracket # RP26003 that was referenced above. If you check out the linked installation instructions you can get an idea of where it will sit on your towing setup.