Weight Distribution Recommendation for Trailer with 565 lb Tongue Weight

Question:

I have been towing an Airstream Sport 16rb using the vehicle stated in the subject of this email. When I bought it my Airstream dealer felt that there would be competition between the air suspension and a WD hitch so they recommended that I not use a WD hitch. I have been towing with a basic ball hitch and a simple Camco Sway Control. This has worked out well for me. I have never had a problem with sway and had minimal hobby horsing when driving on very uneven road surfaces. I am in the process of upgrading to an Airstream Caravel 20fb which has a GVWR of 5000 lbs and a tounge weight of 565 lbs. This is within my tow capacities of 6200lbs and 620lbs and is probably the largest trailer I would want to tow with the Jeep. Will I need a WD hitch? Is there a brand of hitch that works best with an Airstream? Is there a hitch that will work with my Jeep now and with a Ford F150 in the future? Thanks.

asked by: Larry P

Expert Reply:

For a trailer with a loaded tongue weight of 565 the best weight distribution system with sway control is the Reese Strait Line part # RP66083 which has a tongue weight range of 400-800 lbs and features a sway control that works to fight sway before it starts. This would work great on your Jeep now and an F-150 truck as well.

At one point people though that air bag suspension enhancement and weight distribution would fight each other but they do work great together. You would see a big benefit from running a system like this so we recommend it highly.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C