Best Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System for a 2016 Keystone Cougar Travel Trailer

Question:

my trailer is 8800 lbs gvw and 800 tongue weight. Do I need the 10,000 lb sway control system or the 12000lb system or higher?

asked by: Carl A

Expert Reply:

For your 2016 Keystone Cougar Travel Trailer, it's best to use the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System that's rated for 12,000 lbs gross trailer weight, part # EQ37120ET.

The reason for going with a system that has a higher gross trailer weight capacity for your Travel Trailer is because of the tongue weight, which is the most important factor when choosing a weight distribution system. The dry tongue weight of your trailer is about 800 pounds. However, when that is loaded, that will change. Depending on how it's loaded, the tongue weight can be anywhere between 10 and 15 percent of the gross trailer weight, which equates to 800 to 1320 pounds. You can help with that by evenly distributing the weight of luggage/material loaded into the trailer. With more weight loaded in the back, the tongue weight will be lower. With more in the front, the tongue weight will be higher. Be sure to keep everything evenly distributed or, if you have a lot to load, offset the additional weight on the tongue by loading in the back.

The tongue weight capacity of the Equal-i-zer I mentioned above is in fact 800 pounds to 1200 pounds, which is why it's the best version of the Equal-i-zer for your Travel Trailer. I've linked to a video review of this weight distribution system for you.

If you absolutely have to pack a large amount of weight in the front of the trailer (thereby pushing the tongue weight to even more than the 1200-pound limit of the Equal-i-zer), then you need to get a weight distribution system that can handle that, like the Reese Strait-Line System, part # RP66130. This one can handle up to 1500 pounds of tongue weight. I've linked to a video review of this system as well.

That Reese system does not have a shank. A shank I recommend for this is the Reese Weight Distribution Shank, part # RP54970. It ranges from a 2" drop to a 6-1/2" rise. I've linked to this shank's video review, too.