Is Weight Distribution System Beneficial if Near Tongue Weight Capacity  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The short answer is yes, a weight distribution system will be a good idea. The fact you are near the tongue weight capacity of your hitch won't actually have a bearing on the effectiveness of a weight distribution system; the general rule is that if your loaded trailer weighs more than 50% of your vehicle's weight you need a weight distribution system, and a lot of vehicle owner's manuals specify the use of a weight distribution system for their vehicles if they are towing over a certain weight. The reason is this will ensure your vehicle does not sag so your front wheels will make more contact with the ground, greatly improving your vehicle's handling. It is also a very good idea to get a system with sway control to maximize the benefit of a weight distribution system.

Your max tongue weight leads me to believe that you will need a weight distribution system, and the ideal system would be one in which your total tongue weight (tongue weight of your fully loaded and ready to go trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle) falls somewhere in the middle of the weight distribution system's tongue weight capacity.

For your tongue weight, I recommend checking out the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control # FA94-00-0800 because this system uses 2 points of sway control via friction in the spring bars which means a high level of sway control so you can drive to your destination with more ease than with a similar system that did not have this type of control. It also uses clamp-on brackets so you won't have to drill along your trailer frame, and allows you to back up with the system on.

This weight distribution system will require a hitch ball, either # EQ91-00-6080 for a 2" ball or # EQ91-00-6100 for a 2-5/16" ball. I have added a link to a video review of the Fastway system, as well as a link to a help article on weight distribution systems which I recommend checking out.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0