Recommended Weight Distribution System for a 10,000 lbs Travel Trailer

Question

Question:

Hi etrailer experts, I’m hoping you can help a newbie as I’m super confused and brand new to the TT lifestyle. I have a 2016 Ford 150 Supercrew 4x4 short wheel base equipped with the 5.0 V8 engine, 3.31 electronic lock RR axle, 7000# GVWR package, FX4 OFF-ROAD package, pro trailer backup assist, 2’ receiver and the trailer tow package. I recently added the BF Goodrich KO2 All-terrain tires 275/65/20 upsizing from 55’s. Next Friday, I’ll be picking up my new 2022 E2W Alta 2810KIK TT. The specs on the TT are 33’8”, base weight of 7,228, hitch weight 797, dual axles, 2 slide outs, I believe the height is 11’. It uses a 2 5/16” ball. I’ll be traveling 567 miles to bring the trailer home, almost all highway miles. Do I need a WD hitch and sway control? If so, which one including model # and compatible ball do you recommend? Both the Equalizer and Reese brands seem to be highly rated. I should also let you know my mechanical skills are slightly below average so simple will be important for me. If I get WDH do you recommend that I assemble it before picking up the TT or will it need to be assembled with the TT available? Are any special tools required to assemble beyond standard wrenches, etc. I realize I’m asking a lot but any advice you can give to get me off on the right foot is greatly appreciated. Regards

asked by: John C

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Yes, I would recommend using a weight distribution hitch with sway control. I am a big fan of Equalizer for their reliability, ease of use, and affordability. It looks like your 2022 E2W Alta 2810KIK TT tops out at 9,597 lbs when fully loaded. Weight distribution systems are recommended based off of tongue weight which is typically between 10% - 15% of your trailer's total weight. Which would put yours between 960 lbs - 1,440 lbs.

I recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control item # EQ37141ET. This system has a tongue weight range of 1,000 lbs - 1,400 lbs which will be perfect for your travel trailer. This system has built in sway control that will help keep your trailer in line with your F-150 when you are driving down the highway and get passed by a semi or make a sudden move.

The Equal-i-zer item # EQ37141ET includes a 2-5/16" hitch ball but does not have a shank. Since your truck is already taller with the off-road package and you're running bigger tires you'll want to use a taller drop shank like the Curt Weight Distribution Shank item # 17120. This will give you more than 3" of drop at 6-1/8" of an inch over a standard shank.

I recommend connecting the hitch ball before you leave. You will need a 1-7/8" Thin Walled Socket like item # EQ70-00-4800 to attach it. Everything else you are going to need the trailer to set up right. You will want to make sure you bring a couple of wrenches to attach the shank to the head.

I have linked a pretty detailed install video below for one of the lower rated Equalizer systems. It will be the same set up process.

expert reply by: Jerred H

1

Answer 1

Since your 2023 Jayco travel trailer has an underslung coupler, you would want the B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control item #BW88FR. The Continuum item #BW78FR you were looking at is for standard couplers. It sounds like you…

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Answer 2

For starters, if the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is 16,200 lbs and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 7,000 lbs then your towing capacity is 9,200 lbs, not 10,800 lbs. The correct GCWR and GVWR figures will be found on the driver's…

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Answer 3

If you need to switch out the shank that comes with the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System part #EQ37140ET then go with the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System part #EQ37141ET and then just order the shank you need like the Equal-i-zer Weight…

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Answer 4

Yes; when using a weight distribution hitch while towing with your 2019 Ford F-150, using the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System #TFR1504E will help with stability. The weight distribution will help with leveling, but the Timbrens are going…

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Answer 5

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 6

Thanks for reaching out! Ideally your total tongue weight (loaded trailer tongue plus weight of cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle) will fall in the middle of your weight distribution tongue weight range. Your 12K e4, which is essentially…

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Answer 7

That's a very well thought-out question and the correct system will be the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW #EQ37120ET because the ideal system is one in which your total tongue weight…

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Answer 8

Since your 2020 Grand Design Reflection 31MB has 5,200 lb axles on it the correct Roadmaster Comfort Ride System is the part #RM-2460-2560 which is designed for trailers that have 5,200-7,000 lb axles that are 3 inch in diameter.

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Answer 9

I spoke to my contact at Roadmaster and they informed me that you should use the 5,000 Lb Rated Roadmaster Comfort Ride Leaf Spring Suspension Kit part #RM-2460-2560 with 5,200 lb axles. I asked about using the 7,000 Lb Rated Roadmaster Comfort Ride…

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Answer 10

Curt recommends the use of 250 ft/lbs of torque when tightening the nuts of their hitch balls with a 1 inch diameter shank like the part #C40034 that you referenced. The general rule is for a 3/4" shank tighten to 150 ft/lbs For a 1" shank…

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Answer 11

The Tow Ready 2 Inch Hitch Ball, part #63845, you have referenced needs to be torqued to 250 foot pounds. It is recommended to frequently check that the ball is tightened to these specifications. If you are meaning the mounting bolts that are used to…

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Answer 12

Anytime the trailer weighs more than half the weight of the vehicle itself, weight distribution is recommended. To choose the correct system, you'll want to determine the tongue weight of the fully loaded and ready to tow trailer. I'll lnk to…

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