Recommended Weight Distribution System for a 3,500 lbs Airstream Trailer

Question:

Hi there. I have never towed anything in my live so I’m a little confused as to what I need. I have a 2022 Ford F250 truck and a 16 foot Airstream trailer. I’m try to find a hitch that will fit the truck to the trailer but my concern is the safety of my family. I’ve read articles and seen videos and quite frankly don’t know if my potential set up would require sway bars and weight distribution since the trailer is not that big. A friend recommended a Gen Y torsion hitch. Again I’m concerned about any sway that may occur. I was hoping I could get recommendations from your team.

asked by: Ed P

Expert Reply:

I understand your concerns and I'll be happy to help you. You have a lot of truck and not much camper. From what I can find it looks like a 16' Airstream trailer tops out around 3,500 lbs. The Gen-Y Torsion 2-Ball Mount item # 325-GH-1324 you were looking at will do a great job of absorbing road shock and bounce but it will not address sway in any way.

Since you're worried about sway, I recommend adding a weight distribution system to your set up. This would keep your trailer in line with your F-250 while you are going down the highway and get passed by a semi, make a sudden move, or encounter a strong gust of wind.

Weight distribution systems are recommended off of tongue weight. Tongue weight is typically 10% - 15% of your trailer's total weight so your Airstream's tongue weight would be between 350 lbs and 525 lbs. Another issue you will have to deal with is a crowded trailer tongue. Most Airstream trailer's don't have a lot of room on the tongues because of the propane tanks and jack.

With this in mind, I recommend the Strait-Line Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control item # RP66072. This system has a 200 lbs - 600 lbs tongue weight range so it would be perfect for your set up. This system comes with chain hangers that clamp over your tongue. However, if there's no room you'll need to use the Reese Bolt-On Chain Hangers item # RP58305, which would allow you to bolt the chain hanger to the side of the trailer frame.

The bolt-on chain hangers will attach differently then the lift up brackets. You will need to attach the trailer to the ball mount and then jack up both trailer and truck with the trailer jack. You can then attach the spring bars which will provide the appropriate tension.

I wasn't sure if your truck had a 2" receiver or a 2-1/2" receiver which is why I recommended a system without a shank. I have listed both options below. You'll just need to pick the one that matches your truck.

2" Shank - Weight Distribution Shank for 2" Hitches item # BXW4002

2-1/2" Shank - Weight Distribution Shank for 2-1/2" Hitches item # BLU26FR

This system does not include a hitch ball. Depending on your coupler size you will either need a 2" Hitch Ball item # A-90 or a 2-5/16" hitch ball item # C40030.