Weight Distribution System for 2011 Range Rover Sport with Air Suspension

Question:

Hello, I am looking to purchase a weight distribution hitch with sway control for my 2011 range rover sport supercharged. My owners manuals states to not use weight distribution hitches. Reading further, it seems the issue is related to the airbag suspension that returns the vehicle the level once loaded in the rear. It looks like lots of people online are going either way, can you please advise. Please explain the reason why you advise one way or another. If you advise against weight distribution, is there a solely sway bar system you can suggest? Thanks in advance

asked by: Steven

Expert Reply:

A trailer weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system is appropriate under a number of conditions, such as when the trailer weighs more than half the weight of the towing vehicle, when the vehicle headlights point upward when it is hitched, if steering and braking performance suffer or if there is rear-end sag in the vehicle. The linked article and video on WD/SC go into detail about these conditions.

Vehicles that have an automatic leveling system can still use WD/SC. The procedure to follow is to hitch the trailer, allow the system to auto-level, and then to install the appropriately-rated WD/SC hitch system, one that is tuned to the actual tongue weight (TW) of the towing system.

The easiest way to know your trailer's actual loaded TW is to load it just as you will on a typical trip and to then measure that loaded TW with a scale like # e99044. This is what you need to know to choose the right WD/SC system. Ideally your total TW figure will be near the middle of the system you select.

For example, if your total TW were to be 300-lbs then the Equal-i-zer system # EQ37040ET would be perfect. If it were to be 400-lbs then the right choice would be # EQ37060ET. If it were 700- to 900-lbs then instead system # EQ37100ET would be the appropriate choice.

Please feel free to tell me a bit about your trailer (type, weight, frame size and loaded TW) and I will be glad to help you find the best option. I also linked sway-control-only devices like the Reese # 83660.