Will Weight Distribution Help with Sag and Sway on a Trailer Towed by a 2012 Ford F-150
Question:
I have a 2012 F150 crewcab with ecoboost and tow a 24foot enclosed tandem axle trailer. The trailer has an Onan generator mounted on the tongue. This causes some sag on my rear end of the truck so I installed air bags. But I still have a sag problem and sway problem. The ball is 2 5/16. I am doing some research and see that there are many different brands. Which one would you recommend that I go with?
asked by: Rick
Expert Reply:
The best thing for vehicle sag caused by a trailer is to use weight distribution. I recommend removing the air from the air bags when using the weight distribution system you choose because otherwise the two systems can work against each other.
To choose the best weight distribution system you will need 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 that the weight of any cargo loaded behind the rear axle of your 2012 Ford F-150.
Once you know the total tongue weight we can make some recommendations. I have included some links on weight distribution, sway control, and determining tongue weight for you.
For weight distribution, trunnion style bars are easier to install and have better ground clearance compared to round bar systems. For sway control, dual-cam works the best because it forces the trailer to ride in a straight line behind the truck.
And finally, you will need to know how much rise or drop you will need to tow the trailer level. I have included a link to an article that explains how to take these measurements. The article is on regular ball mounts but the same method for measuring applies in this case as well.
