Is a Weight Distribution System Needed for a KZ Sportsmen S240FB

Question:

I just bought a used travel trailer, 2010 KZ-S240FB. The specs I see on-line show a hitch weight of 390, although some other sites show 527. The The GVRW seems to be 6000 lbs. It came with a wdh but I cant tell the manufacturer. It seems over sized for this trailer. My tow vehicle is a 2014 F350 crew can super duty with a full size bed. The water tank is 40 gallons and under the bed in front, so the majority of weight when full is skewed toward the hitch. So, that another 330 lbs mostly toward the hitch. My question are: 1. Do I need a weight distributing hitch - if so what do you recommend? 2. Do I need sway control given my tow vehicle? 3. What hitch would work well with the Lippert Components Straptek Weight Distribution system and do you recommend that in lieu of chains? Does it perform well in the sway control function? Thanks,

asked by: Glenn H

Expert Reply:

The use of a weight distribution system and or sway control device is rarely required but the reason you see them used so much is because they just make the towing experience that much better. The use of a weight distribution system will give you more stopping power, help improve the life of your tow vehicle's suspension, improve stability while towing, and reduce/prevent trailer sway among many other things.

That said, the rule we use for whether or not a weight distribution system should be used is if the loaded weight of the trailer is more than half that of the vehicle which is true in your case so I do recommend a weight distribution system, the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution part # FA94-00-1000 in particular. The Fastway e2 has sway control and you don't have to deal with the troublesome chains or the Lippert Components Straptek. The Hitch Ball for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems part # EQ91-00-6080 or part # EQ91-00-6100 would be the only other part needed.

Please note, the Lippert Components Straptek does not allow for integrated sway control so you would be better off getting rid of this and just using the Fastway e2.

expert reply by: Conner L