Weight Distribution and Sway Control for a 2004 Ford F-250 Towing 6,900 Pound Trailer  

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Expert Reply:

When choosing weight distribution you will want to go by the total tongue weight. This is calculated by taking the tongue weight of the trailer when loaded and ready to tow and adding to it the weight of anything loaded behind the rear axle of the truck.

For argument, lets say that you are towing the trailer and it weighs all of 6,900 pounds and there is nothing in the truck bed. The tongue weight, which is normally 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight, would be 690 to 1,035 pounds. Empty the range would be 500 to 752 pounds. So basically the tongue weight of just the trailer could be anywhere between 500 and 1,035 pounds.

This puts the trailer sort of in between the ranges for systems I would recommend. First, we have a 550 to 750 pound range like # PS49582 that could work for you. It comes with a friction sway bar to help with that sway issue. This is an all inclusive system so you will not need to add any additional parts. I have included links to the instructions for you.

If you determine that the tongue weight will be more than 750 pounds then I recommend a system rated for 750 to 1,000 pounds like # PS49583 that you have referenced. This system also comes with everything you will need. For either system, if you need more drop to tow the trailer level, you would need to replace the shank with # RP3344 which has more drop.

These systems are good entry level systems and should work out well for you. If you need additional sway control help I recommend adding another sway bar, # 83660, especially if the trailer is over 25 feet long. A single friction bar is not effective if the trailer is that long. I have included some links on calculating tongue weight and on weight distribution for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

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