Do I need Weight Distribution Sway Control and Trailer Brakes on 3500 lb Trailer Towed By Ram 1500

Question

Question:

I have a 15 Dodge and a camper tgat weighs 3500 loaded. Do I need sway bars and a brake system?

asked by: Bethany H

0

Expert Reply:

I took a look at the Ram's owners manual and it states if the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs loaded, it should have its own brakes. Towing the 3500 lb trailer without braking could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances in the truck. I would need to know a little bit more information about the trailer to help you add brakes. I need to know the axle capacity on the trailer. This can usually be found on a sticker on the axle or stamped into the axle. If you are not able to find that information it helps to know which size wheel is on the trailer now. I do recommend adding brakes to the trailer if you do not have them already.

If the trailer already has electric brakes and you need a brake controller for the ram, I recommend Curt Brake controller part # C51180. The Curt Echo plugs into the 7-way at the rear of your Ram and connects to your smartphone with an app. There is not any extra wiring with the Curt Echo as long as your 7-way has an active power wire that connects to the vehicle's battery. The Echo's internal sensor senses when the vehicle is braking and sends a signal to the trailer brakes to activate.

The owner's manual also states if your trailer is 5,000 lbs or more it is mandatory to use a weight distributing hitch. Since your trailer weighs 3500 lbs loaded then you may not need weight distribution or sway control unless you begin to experience sway or rear vehicle sag.

If you begin to experience sway or rear vehicle sag then it is a good idea to add a weight distribution system to your setup. I recommend the Fastway e2 part # FA92-00-0600 because it's going to prevent side-to-side movement with the 2 point friction points on the brackets. The spring bars hold the trailer in line so you're not going to experience as much sway when there's a sudden gust of wind or a big truck passes you on the highway. The trunnion bars insert into the front of the weight distribution head without having to get on the ground and put the bars into the bottom of the weight distribution head like round bar systems. The spring bars are rated between 200 and 600 lbs of tongue weight so they are rated for your trailer tongue weight which should be 10-15% of the 3500 lb loaded weight.

You do need a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank for the weight distribution system. I recommend part # A-90 for a 2" ball and part # 19286 for 2-5/6" ball.

expert reply by: Heather A

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Answer 1

A 2016 Forest River Flagstaff Hard Side T21DMHW has a GVWR of 3,382lbs so you'd be looking at a tongue weight around 300-400lbs. If you're experiencing some sway while towing your trailer then I recommend the Fastway e2 Weight…

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Answer 2

An underslung trailer coupler is one that attaches to the bottom of the trailer frame and an overslung one is one that attaches to the top of the frame. Measuring is not required if you just take a look at your coupler and see where it attaches to…

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Answer 3

For your 2019 Toyota Tacoma the best and easiest to install brake controller is the Curt Echo Mobile part #C51180. All you have to do to install this is plug it into your 7-way and then sync it to your smart phone and you're ready to tow.…

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Answer 4

In order to install the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller part #RED24FR or Tow Pro Elite part #RED44FR on a 2015 Toyota Tacoma you'll need the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter part #3040-P, the Redarc Tow-Pro Wiring Adapter for Tekonsha…

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Answer 5

The 60/40 axle placement formula is a great starting point and does take into account the tongue of the trailer from where the trailer sits on the hitch ball. Please keep in mind that this is a very basic formula or estimate for axle placement. For a…

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Answer 6

I recommend 2 sets of the Inno Velo Gripper Bike Rack for Truck Beds - Clamp On part #INRT201 for the bed of the 2020 Chevy Colorado. The Inno Gripper does not require cutting the bed liner in the new truck (if the truck has a bed liner) like with…

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Answer 7

The mounting bolt pattern for the Demco Trailer Coupler #DM79FR measures 4-1/2" from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the next bolt hole. Attached is a photo of the dimensions and a review video for you to check out.

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Answer 8

I took a look in the owner's manual for a 2019 Ram 1500 and it states that the towing capacity with the bumper hitch is 5,000 lbs. If you don't already have one, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13419 is what I recommend which attaches…

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Answer 9

You can use the Curt #C13419 on your 2020 Ram 1500 and it will handle the weight of your 3800-lbs Winnebago Micro Minnie trailer, however if you're ever planning on towing anything larger there is a better solution. I recommend using the Curt…

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Answer 10

I would be happy to help you and have a perfect set up to pull your Winnebago Micro Minnie with your 2021 Ram 1500. I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver item #C13419. This is a custom fit 2" hitch receiver that has a 6,000 lbs gross…

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Answer 11

The Class III OEM bumper mounted hitches for your 2022 Ram 1500 have a similar design to the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13419 which is a simple 3-bolt installation that attaches to the bumper. It looks really clean but the bumper isn't a…

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Answer 12

2022 is a split model year for the Ram 1500. There's the new body style, which is simply referred to as the Ram 1500, or the previous body style that's been carried over as the Ram 1500 Classic. Since the hitches aren't interchangeable…

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