Recommended Fastway Weight Distribution System for 4,400 Pound Trailer

Question:

Im looking for a weight distribution setup for a Keystone Hideout 177lhs which I believe has a GVWR of 4400 and a TW of 450. Being these are max rating numbers, the actual weight will most likely be less. I will be towing with a 17 Toyota Tacoma V6. Which kit would I need? Im looking at the Fastway 92-00-0450, so I am as close to the weight as possible however, if I put anything in the bed of the truck I do not want to cancel out the weight distribution. Therefore, I was also looking at FA92-00-0600. My thought of going with this one is it may be too much. Please help, Im confusing myself..

asked by: Nick L

Expert Reply:

You are on the right track. In order to choose the best weight distribution system, you will want to factor in the total tongue weight of your towing setup. This includes both the loaded tongue weight of your trailer (as if ready for a trip), along with any added cargo coming from behind the rear axle of your truck. This would include anything loaded in the truck bed, as you mentioned. Ideally, you will want this number to fall somewhere near the middle of the system's operating range.

A trailer's tongue weight should be 10-15% of its total weight. Using the 4,400 pound GVWR that you provided, this will give us an estimated loaded tongue weight of 440 to 660 pounds (660 pounds being on the very highest end, depending on how you distribute the load on your trailer).

With this in mind, the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution System # FA92-00-0450 you referenced, with a tongue weight capacity of 450 pounds, might be just a tad under-rated. If you were to exceed its capacity, it would essentially be like not having a weight distribution system at all.

The Fastway e2 Weight Distribution System # FA92-00-0600 you also mentioned might be a better fit. This system has a tongue weight capacity of 600 pounds but a minimum of 250 pounds. So even if your total tongue weight ends up being on the lower end, this system will still work great. I recommend verifying your trailer's total tongue weight with a scale like the etrailer # e99044, since it's still possible that you might exceed this system's capacity when considering the trailer's GVWR and any added weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Tacoma.

Since the above higher-rated system might still be cutting it close, I recommend taking a look at the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution System # FA94-00-0800. This system has a tongue weight capacity of 400 to 800 pounds. This range fits perfectly with the total tongue weight on your setup, so you should have no issue at all with falling below or over this system's limits.

Regardless of the Fastway system you choose, you will just need to add a compatible hitch ball like the 2 inch # A-90 or the 2-5/16 inch # 63840.

I have attached a short video demonstration on this product that you can check out along with an article on weight distribution systems that you might find helpful.