Recommended Weight Distribution System for 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Arising V-nose Trailer

Question:

HI, great resource here, Ive read a lot, but... Ive got a 15 Grand Cherokee with tow package, self-leveling suspension and sway control. Im towing a 7x12 tandem Arising enclosed V-nose with an HD Tri Glide ~1300 pounds and additional items total trailer weight is 3700 pounds loaded, and tongue weight is about 410 pounds, weighed at the local grain elevator. 8880# total weight with everything fully loaded, no passengers. I situated the trike to get this balance at about 11. Everything is well within the vehicle spec limits. First, after 3,000 miles pulling the trailer so far with no load distribution or sway control it tows really well. It is very stable, no ducking or bobbing, no sway in highway traffic including some cross-winds. You can feel it gently pull to the side when you pass semis, but it doesnt feel unstable. Reasonable maneuvers dont feel uncontrolled. Stable under practice panic braking, the electric brakes were easy to set properly. We load the Jeep to keep the other things we take as far forward and as low as possible heavy stuff in the passenger footwells there may be 150-250 pounds of cargo in the jeep, but with the very short rear overhang past the axle some of that weight is born by the front end, too. Likewise all of the weight in the trailer is low. However, I found out that Chrysler recommends using weight distribution for anything over 360 pounds tongue weight. I would like to use weight distribution even though there arent any symptoms of problems, so I would imagine that the lightest applicable system would work to provide some reasonable margin for safety. In addition, with the high receiver on the Jeep, in order to get the trailer level Id need about 5inch of drop, most packages dont go that low. The place that set it up didnt think about the automatic leveling system, and after a few miles the front of the trailer is about an inch high with the current 4inch . What would you recommend for this combination? With some research, the following looks like it would be correct, except for the max is only 2inch and I need more than that can a different shank be substituted? Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 4,500 lbs GTW, 450 lbs TW, Item # FA92-00-0450 Thanks for your help, muchly appreciated.

asked by: Nate F

Expert Reply:

Thanks for all the information. The Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control # FA92-00-0450 will be at the top of the capacity, so I recommend going with the 600 lbs # FA92-00-0600 instead. This will still allow for your 410 lb tongue weight and any additional cargo weight that may end up added to the trailer or the Jeep behind the rear axle as it is rated for 250-600 lbs.

For a 2 inch ball, you will want # EQ91-00-6080 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # EQ91-00-6100.

For the drop needed, I recommend the Curt Weight Distribution Shank 13" Long - 9" or 10" Drop # C17124 which is compatible with your Jeep and the Fastway system. With the self-leveling, you will want to turn it off to set-up your system and then you can turn it back on if desired.