Weight Distribution for a 2012 Ford Explorer Towing a 4,000 Pound Jayco M199 Trailer
Question:
I have a 2012 Explorer that requires a WD hitch for trailers over 2,000 lb. I will be towing a trailer Jayco M199 with a UVW of 3,550 lb and a GVW of 4,750. I plan on never exceeding 4,000 lb. The rated unloaded tongue weight is 285 lb. We will be carrying possibly 100-150 lb behind the rear axle. The Explorer has sway control as part of the factory towing package. Is this the correct hitch? And, should I get the one with or without friction sway control? Thanks.
asked by: George I
Expert Reply:
When choosing a 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 the cargo loaded behind the rear axle of the vehicle.
If you were to load the trailer to the max gross weight, 4,750 pounds, the tongue weight would likely be between 475 and 713 pounds (10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight). Plus the up to 150 pounds takes that range to 625 to 863 pounds. But if you are not going to exceed 4,000 pounds gross trailer weight then the range would be 550 to 750 pounds.
Based on this figure and that fact that you are likely able to stay below the 750 pounds, using Pro Series system # PS49582 would work fine. I would use this model with the sway control because it works differently than the system in your 2012 Ford Explorer and they will work well together.
The vehicle sway control works by changing the amount of power and/or braking to one side of the vehicle. The Pro Series system will work to keep the trailer from swaying and will not affect the vehicles sway control.
I have included links to the installation instructions and links to our articles on weight distribution and determining tongue weight for you.
