Troubleshooting Trailer Sway on 2014 Keystone Impact 301 Toy Hauler with Reese Weight Distribution

Question

Question:

I have a new 2014 Keystone Impact 301 Toy hauler and pull it with a 2011 F-350 Crew Cab 4x4. I bought a Reese 66131 WD hitch to use with this equipment. My trailer specs are: 34’8” long 102” wide body. Hitch weight 1495, dry weight 9080, fresh water capacity is 106G 884 lbs Fuel capacity is 30G 187.5 lbs, the garage capacity is: 2.5K combining for a GVWR of 13,000. We went on our inaugural trip this past weekend and experienced a lot of trailer sway at speeds over 55 MPH. For this trip the trailer was configured with only food, clothing and 2 ATVs combining for appox total cargo weight of 1.7K. No fresh water or fuel on board. Is the 66131 hitch the right set-up for my situation? Would the Reese Dual Cam High-Performance Sway Control help my situation and is it compatible with my current 66131? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please note that our normal trailer configuration will include full fresh water and fuel. Our last trailer was the same size and specs except the TW was only 1.4 K 2013 Dutchman Rubicon 2900. We used an Eaz-Lift 48064 1,400 lbs Elite Bent Bar Weight Distributing Hitch and could run down the interstate at 70 MPH with no issues. I’m sure the Reese system is a better set-up. I just need to figure out where I’m going wrong.

asked by: Ed

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Expert Reply:

The most important thing about picking the right weight distribution system for a setup is the loaded tongue weight of the setup as it will be towed. Also, having it properly set up for the trailer is very important.

With that being said, if the tongue weight of your setup is going to fluctuate within the range of the weight distribution system quite a bit you will have to set it up differently based on that. I attached the installation instructions for the Reese Weight Distribution System part # RP66075 that you have that details how to setup the system.

Every time you tow with a different tongue weight you will want to ensure that its set up correctly otherwise it will not be distributing the weight as efficiently as it could, which could cause the sway you are seeing.

If you determine that your tongue weight is higher than 1,500 lbs when loaded then yes, I would recommend you go with a higher rated system like the # RP66131 that you also referenced.

Proper trailer loading is the best possible way to combat sway. Having as much weight as far forward as possible is the best way to prevent sway. If the way you towed your trailer had most of the weight in the back of the trailer when towing then that could have been why you saw so much sway.

I attached an FAQ on determining tongue weight plus an FAQ on weight distribution systems for you to check out also.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

Well if the adapter says not to use it with a weight distribution system it would have to be that they never tested it with a WD system or they did and found that it damaged the adapter or the hitch when used. A WD system does put a different kind of…

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Answer 2

Basically any weight you add to front of a trailer in front of the axles is going to add to the tongue weight. So yes, the weight you added in the master bedroom of your trailer will need to be considered as tongue weight. The tongue weight of the…

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Answer 3

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 4

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Answer 5

For your enclosed trailer application I have several suggestions for adding interior lighting that you can control directly via a switch. Since your current 4-pole trailer wiring does NOT include a 12V auxiliary power feed that could power inside…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the industry…

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Answer 8

I've never heard of an actual third brake light connector on a camper shell to plug in on a truck and we don't carry any parts to do that. The light generally needs to be hardwired into the truck's brake light circuit. The issue with this…

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Answer 9

The AL-KO trailer hub part number 8700 that you have is a 3,500 lb trailer hub/drum with a 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern. Based on that the #AKHD-545-35-EZ-K is the correct fit and would work great.

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Answer 10

If your current springs have 5 leaves then going to a 7 leaf spring will increase the height of the trailer a little and make the trailer more susceptible to sway. Regarding capacity if you go with springs rated higher than what is required it will…

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Answer 11

Hey Travis, congrats on the new 2024 Jayco Flight 284BHS! Your travel trailer looks to have a GVWR of 7,950 lbs so I recommend going with the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control #EQ37121ET and pairing it with the Shank…

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Answer 12

The old version of the #HBA-CAM used 4 wires, but the product was updated awhile back and now uses only two wires as shown in the photo on the product description page. The white wire from the HBA-CAM would tap into the white ground wire and the blue…

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