Weight Distribution for 7,000 Pound Trailer and Backing Up at Tight Angles

Question:

I need to tow a travel trailer with a 2017 F150 that can tow up to 11,800 lbs. I MUST be able to back up approximately 90 degrees from truck to trailer. My tongue weight will be up to 600 lbs, and tow weight up to 7,000 lbs. Can you recommend something that either i can back up without disconnection of any of the equipment, ii can back up with very minimal effort to disconnect equipment.

asked by: Jeffrey E

Expert Reply:

Trailer tongue weight is usually 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. I bring this up because 600 pounds is awfully low for a 7,000 pound trailer. And for weight distribution the total tongue weight is extremely important. Total tongue weight is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer, when loaded and ready to tow, and adding to that the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle.

What we can do is look at systems that have wide tongue weight capacity ranges using 600 pounds as our starting point. Fastway system # FA92-00-0800 is a great option. It is rated for 400 to 800 pounds tongue weight. It also comes with built-in sway control. Since you will be frequently be at sharp angles I recommend placing the frame brackets as far forward as they can go within the range specified in the linked instructions. This is so a bar doesn't slip out. You will not have to disconnect anything when backing up with this system.

The only other item needed is a properly sized ball, # EQ91-00-6100. I have also included some helpful links on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.

expert reply by: Michael H