Recommended Weight Distribution/Sway Control System for 650 lb Tongue Weight Travel Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a 2018 Ford F-150 and I need a weight Distribution hitch for a travel trailer with a hitch weight of 650 lbs. What do you recommend?

asked by: Stephen N

0

Expert Reply:

To select the proper weight distribution system for your travel trailer, you'll need to figure out its fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight, which should include the weight of anything stowed in the bed of the truck behind the rear axle.
I'd recommend going with a system that provides an integrated sway control component as well, because travel trailers are susceptible to trailer sway caused by cross winds or turbulence from oncoming or passing traffic.

For a budget friendly option, the Curt # C17499 TruTrack you'd looked at is designed for trailer tongue weights between 500-800 lbs. If your as-towed tongue weight is between 800-1000 lbs, use # C17500. The trailer ball is sold separately as # A-90 for a 2 inch ball or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 ball.

For the best system available, I'd go with an Equal-i-zer system, because they've been around a long time and weight distribution is their bread and butter, their primary line of business, and not one of hundreds of different offerings like Curt's TruTrack. Equal-i-zer hitches are manufactured in the USA, a distinction which more and more folks are interested in. For as-towed tongue weights ranging from 600-1000 lbs, I'd recommend the # EQ37100ET, or if the as-towed tongue weight is above 800 but less than 1200 lbs, use # EQ37120ET. The trailer ball is inlcuded, but to install it a 1-7/8 thin wall socket is needed. We offer one as part # EQ70-00-4800.

I'll link you to an article that explains a few ways to determine your trailer's actual tongue weight. A tongue weight scale like # e99044 is a handy tool to have.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

When doing your math on trailer tongue weight (TW) you do NOT need to include the actual weight of your selected weight distribution hitch, such as Curt's TruTrack #C17499, because this weight is essentially suspended between the vehicle and…

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Answer 2

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached…

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Answer 3

The Curt #C17499 TruTrack weight distribution system you'd looked at is designed for trailers with a fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight ranging from 500-800 lbs, which is right around where your Micro Minnie would be. In addition to the…

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Answer 4

The plug for a brake controller on your 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 will be located up under your driver's side dash on the left side (see attached). This is where you will plug in an adapter like the Tekonsha #3064-P for a brake controller like…

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Answer 5

Yes, a weight distribution system like the Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System part #C17499 will add stress to both the trailer and vehicle frame. That said, this stress is not usually enough to cause damage. The only exceptions to this would be…

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Answer 6

The difference between the two systems is basically the attachment point. One is not better than the other except that the trunnion bars are a little easier to install than the round bars that require a clip to hold them into the head. For the round…

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Answer 7

There is the Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - 7-Hole Shank - 6K GTW, 600 lbs TW #BLU36FR which works with total tongue weights from 200-600lbs and still has the sway control you were looking for. Keep in mind that you will need…

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Answer 8

The flanges on the head that attach to the shank on Fastway weight distribution system #FA94-00-1061 will flex some but may not completely "pinch" the shank. But the shank bolts only get tightened to 250 foot pounds each, not 400. The…

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Answer 9

The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached…

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Answer 10

You'll want to choose a weight distribution hitch where the tongue weight of your trailer falls towards the middle of the prescribed weight range of the hitch. I recommend using the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round -…

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Answer 11

Most likely you are going to need the higher rated system part #FA92-00-1200 since by the time you load up the trailer it will have a tongue weight of higher than 1,000 lbs. Also, you have to consider the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of…

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Answer 12

I spoke with my contact at Draw-Tite and he said excessive turning could wear a groove into a hitch ball if the ball is not kept well lubricated. He recommended keeping the hitch ball well lubed with a lithium automotive grease like #58117 to reduce…

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