Leveling and Weight Distribution for a Truck with Camper Pulling a Trailer

Question:

I think this Fastway Item # FA92-00-0600 solves all of my issues. 12 foot enclosed utility trailer. 500 lbs TW and 3000 GTW. I run air bags, so leveling is not my problem. I want to get some of the weight off of the hitch. Would like closer to 300 lbs, not 500. Short trailer tongue. 28 inches center of coupler to the trailer body. Its a V nose. Ground clearance. I pull with a truck camper with a 48 inch hitch extension, so dragging in dips and curbs is a problem . This trunnion system appears to have the best clearance I have seen. Side mounted swing a way jack. Chain type bars just dont look like they will work. I think the trunnion system will. Now my problem. My current hitch has 3 1/4 inches of to get the trailer to run level when attached to the truck. How can we solve the hitch problem? This picture should give you an idea of my setup. Thanks for all of the help.

asked by: Loren W

Helpful Expert Reply:

Prior to purchase, I want to recommend a few things to double check before purchasing your kit.

First, you'll check with your trailer manufacturer to be sure that your trailer is approved for use with a weight distribution system. Some trailers, especially aluminum ones, can be too weak to stand up against the forces applied by a distribution system and can fail.

You'll also verify that your extension and hitch are rated for use with weight distribution systems.

Next, you'll verify that you have enough room to install the Fastway e2 Weight System, part # FA92-00-0600. You'll need to have a space available between 27 and 30 inches away from your hitch ball in order to properly mount the system onto your trailer.

Finally, you'll need to weigh your loaded truck with camper and loaded trailer on a commercial scale to determine the actual tongue weight. For weight distribution, tongue weight includes anything carried behind the rear axle of the trailer, and in your case this means the bulk of the camper. If a weight distribution system is too low, it won't have any effect, and if its rated for a much higher weight, it will be so rigid that you'll be unable to turn the vehicle well.

I've included an article about how to use a few different methods to measure your tongue weight. I recommend specifically measuring using the commercial scale method, because of the camper.

With all that checked out, if you're still in the 500-600 range, get the Fastway e2 system. You'll need a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 diameter shank like part # EQ91-00-6080 for a 2 inch diameter ball, or part # EQ91-00-6100 for a 2-5/16 diameter ball. If you want to be more in control of your drop, then I recommend an Equal-i-zer weight distribution shank, part # EQ90-02-4300 to get up to a 6 inch drop to better control your trailer's height.

If your vehicle is heavier than the 500-600 range, I recommend an Equal-i-zer 1,000 pound tongue weight system, part # EQ37101ET, with the above shank, part # EQ90-02-4300. This system goes up to four point sway control, reducing sway even further, and with the shank can adjust through a range of options for the right height. Additionally, it includes its hitch ball.

If space on the trailer runs short, you can use chain hangers, part # BXW4021 in this case, to attach a mounting point for your chains to the trailer frame's side.