How Close to My Vehicles Tongue Weight Capacity Can I Be  

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Expert Reply:

I'll start off by saying that you cannot increase the tongue weight capacity on your vehicle by adding a weight distribution hitch like the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083, but it will help prevent trailer sway before it starts as well as create a much safer and comfortable towing experience. With that being said, you generally want your trailer's tongue weight to be between 10-15% of the total weight of the fully loaded trailer. Since the unloaded tongue weight of the trailer is showing at 540-lbs, you will need to find a way to move 50-lbs of gear to the back of the trailer to get under the capacity on your 2015 Ford Explorer. As long as you're under the tongue weight capacity of your vehicle, you'll be fine. I recommend using a tongue weight scale like the etrailer # e99044 to verify the tongue weight before towing so that you can ensure that you're not creating a potentially dangerous or damaging situation for your vehicle.

When it comes to adding a weight distribution hitch, the Reese Strait-Line system is a great choice because of the dual-cam sway control system. However, I recommend going with the # RP66086 since your tongue weight will fall closer to the middle of the range of this system than it will with the # RP66083 system. When choosing a weight distribution hitch, you generally want your tongue weight to fall in the middle of the prescribed range, so the RP66083 will put you at the bottom edge of the range on this hitch if your tongue weight is roughly 475-lbs; conversely that weight puts you near the middle of the 200-600lbs range on the # RP66086 system.

Since these weight distribution hitches do not come with hitch balls, you'll need one with a 1-1/4" diameter shank. You can use the # 19286 for a 2-5/16" ball or # A-90 for a 2" hitch ball.

I've linked some informational videos on these items that you may want to have a look at and see how they work.

expert reply by: Erik B

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