Weight Distribution With Sway Control Recommendation For 5,000 lb Travel Trailer

Question:

I need a little direction here. I have a 21 Ram 1500 ecodiesel that is able to tow well over 12k. I have a new travel trailer that has a gross weight of 4,900 pounds and 540 pound hitch weight. Since my trucks hitch sits pretty low, Im using a 6 inch rise hitch for towing. However, on a recent trip with the camper, it was windy on the highway, and I noticed a significant sway and reduced control as the driver. I am going to assume I need a distribution hitch however, I have no idea which one to get. The price range is mind-boggling. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!

asked by: CHRISTOPHER S

Expert Reply:

We can help you out, as you're right, this stuff can be pretty confusion, so I'll do my best to clear it up for you so you can get the best weight distribution with sway control. Also, thanks for the very cool photo, that looks pretty fantastic, though I also have to mention that there is definitely some sagging there at the rear of your truck, which is something else weight distribution will clear up.

So let's go ahead and start with the right sizing, and that will depend on your loaded tongue weight, which is going to be in the range of 10 to 15 percent of your GVWR. So for your 5,000 lb GVWR travel trailer you'll have a loaded tongue weight in the 600 lb or so neighborhood, and the best system will be one which your 600 lb tongue weight falls somewhere in the middle of the weight distribution system's tongue weight capacity. With that in mind, I highly recommend an option from Fastway, and you'll also need the accompanying hitch ball:

- Fastway e2 Weight Distribution with 2-Point Sway Control # FA92-00-0800

- 2-5/16" Hitch Ball # 63840

This system is rated for tongue weights between 400 lbs and 800 lbs so it is rated perfectly for your trailer, and is by far the best value among weight distribution hitches because it pairs high quality with relative cost-effectiveness. As you can see by the hundreds of reviews on the product page, our customers who have used it have given it a nearly 5-star rating.

The e2 # FA92-00-0800 has superb sway control created by friction on the brackets and is going to give you a much more controlled ride than other options. The system, which comes with a shank that has a maximum rise of 6-1/4 inches, is also really easy to set up, especially compared to systems that use chains, saving you a lot of of time.