How to Adjust Weight Rating of Fastway e2 Weight Distribution Hitch

Question:

Are there any problems using a wd anti sway hitch rated much higher than the trailer requires ie: 4,000 lb trailer and 10,000 lb hitch ?

asked by: Barry L

Helpful Expert Reply:

Weight distribution hitches like the Fastway e2 # FA94-00-1061 are weight sensitive. You do not want to use one rated lower or higher than the actual tongue weight of the setup. An under-rated system will not be able to do its job of shifting trailer tongue weight forward as it should and an over-rated one will result in jumpy handling from the trailer.

It is possible to swap out the spring bars in the hitch to have a different weight capacity. We have three sets of Fastway round bars that allow you to change the capacity. Two of bar # FA94-02-1099 provide capacity up to 1000-lbs; two of bar # FA94-02-0899 provide capacity from 400- to 800-lbs; and two of bar # FA94-02-0699 work for TW from 200- to 600-lbs.

To work correctly these systems, need to be selected to match the actual tongue weight (TW) of the towing setup. This weight includes the actual loaded trailer TW that you can measure using scale # e99044 plus the weight of any cargo in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle. This combined TW is what you want to use to choose a WD hitch, and it should fall near the middle of the WD system's range.

Fastway e2 # FA94-00-1061 works effectively over a TW range of 600 lbs - 1,000 lbs so it would be perfect if the total TW were 800-lbs.