Recommended Weight Distribution System For Towing A Forest River Flagstaff Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a 2021 Ford F-150 super crew 5.5 ft bed .towing a flagstaff by forest river 6049 lb travel trailer. It’s 26.11 ft long. I need a sway control bar . I was looking at the curt with friction and sway control. I need help making the right choice .

asked by: Maggie L

Expert Reply:

Finding the correct weight distribution system will ultimately depend on the tongue weight of your Forest River Flagstaff travel trailer when fully loaded. There looked to be a lot of variation between tongue weights for the different models of the Flagstaff travel trailers, so it will be something to double check.

With that said, if the 6,049 pounds you mentioned is loaded, something like the Curt MV Weight Distribution System # C17062 may be too high of a capacity. Tongue weight is generally 10% to 15% of the loaded weight, so if you are closer to the 10%, it will be too heavy. If you are closer to 15%, it will be an option. This will have a range of 800 pounds at the minimum and 1,000 pounds at the maximum, so if you fall anywhere in that, you are good to go. The friction sway control that comes with this will help to diminish sway when it starts to occur, but you will need to disconnect it every time you back up the trailer. It will also require drilling into the frame to get it installed. These types of systems do work well, but it is not my preferred way to go.

Be aware that this system will be quite a bit more expensive and will need a ball, like the 2-5/16" # 19286, to complete it, I prefer the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System # RP66084. This has a tongue weight range of 600 pounds at the minimum and 1,200 pounds at the maximum, so even if you are closer to the 10% for your tongue weight, it will work for you. The sway control on this will also require drilling into the frame, but it actively works to prevent sway before it starts and you can actually feel it trying to pull and keep the trailer straight and in line. It also doesn't need anything to be disconnected before reversing, which is a plus for me since I would forget. So, is it expensive? Yes. Will it work with your travel trailer? Yes it will. Is it the one I recommend? Not to sound like a broken record, but yes it is.

expert reply by: Lazer S