Recommended Weight Distribution for Forest River Salem FSX 178BHSK With 4870 lb GVWR

Question

Question:

Looking for recommendation on weight distribution \ sway control for a 2020 Ford F150 and a 2021 Salem FSX 178BHSK travel trailer 22. Thank you!

asked by: Kevin P

0

Expert Reply:

It's usually best to positively determine the trailer's as-towed tongue weight using a tongue weight scale like # e99044 before choosing a system, but because your travel trailer's specs are readily available, we can make a very good educated guess.

According to the specs listed online, your Forest River Salem FSX 178BHSK has a GVWR of 4870 lbs, which would put it's fully loaded tongue weight range in the neighborhood of between 500 and 750 lbs.

Because travel trailers are especially susceptible to trailer sway caused by crosswinds and passing or oncoming traffic I'd highly recommend going with a system that uses an integrated sway control system which will make your towing experience much more pleasant.

I'd recommend the Fastway e2, part # FA92-00-0800 which is rated for trailers with tongue weights ranging from 400-800 lbs, which would be absolutely perfect for your travel trailer. In addition to proven weight distribution, the system will also work great combatting mild to moderate trailer sway. You'll also need a trailer ball with a 1-1/4 inch shank. For a 2 inch ball, use part # EQ91-00-6080 or # EQ91-00-6100 for a 2-5/16 inch ball. You'll also need a 1-7/8 inch thin wall socket to install the ball. We offer one as part # EQ70-00-4800.

I'll link to an install/setup video where my buddy Randy shows how to set up a typical system.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

Answer 1

If the rear end of your vehicle sags significantly when the trailer is hooked up then you could have an unsafe condition and your front end and tires will not wear properly. The weight is taken off of the front wheels of the vehicle and can cause…

view full answer...

Answer 2

A 13,500 btu air conditioner normally draws right at 1,300 watts which the solar panel kit part #34282184 can only provide up to 380 watts at peak performance. The highest wattage setup we have from solar panels is the #34282185 which is capable of…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Yes, we do have a wiring harness that has both a 7-way and a 4-way for your 2020 Subaru Ascent. However, you will need a 4-way connector on your car before this will work though. I recommend the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Hubs will heat up when driving, but if it feels like they are getting too hot, then you will want to look at a few things on your hub. My guess is that the spindle nut is too tight and the added stress on the bearings is overheating the bearings and…

view full answer...

Answer 5

I checked your order notes and the leaf springs you bought last year were the part #e28SR which are for 5k axles. Since this is over the capacity of your axle failure would not have been caused by over loading the trailer assuming you stayed under…

view full answer...

Answer 6

I would be happy to help you determine the correct replacement leaf springs for your 2016 Grand Design Reflection 29RS with tandem Lippert 4400lb axles, but unfortunately the axle tags like the one shown in your picture do not have leaf spring…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Though I do tend to warn people about the ride getting stiffer when upping the capacity of their leaf springs, you are correct in that you will technically never be fully "unloaded". I do have to mention that this could still happen, but…

view full answer...

Answer 8

Normally, the tongue weight should be somewhere between 10 and 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight. For your trailer it would mean somewhere between 780 and 1200-lbs. The #C17501 system is designed for tongue weight between 1,000 and 1,500-lbs so…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Your Springdale 179QBWE trailer has a GVWR of 6030 lbs and a dry weight hitch weight of 530 lbs. You will want to check the tongue weight of the trailer fully loaded and add any cargo weight behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle to get your total…

view full answer...

Answer 10

A weight distribution system's rating isn't directly related to the capacities of the tow vehicle. If you make sure the system is appropriate for the loaded trailer's weight and the loaded trailer is within the capacities of the vehicle…

view full answer...

Answer 11

I spoke to my contact at Fastway and he informed me that on a shorter wheelbase vehicle like your 2003 Ford Expedition a good starting point would be 5-6 washers, but the reason they do not list a recommended amount in the instructions is because the…

view full answer...

Answer 12

The arms on your Fastway e2 Weight Distribution System #FA94-00-0800 can be removed by either pulling on the keeper tab to release them, or by swinging them outward to be perpendicular to the tow vehicle. At this point, the arm should drop freely…

view full answer...

Recommended Weight Distribution for Forest River Salem FSX 178BHSK With 4870 lb GVWR

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching