Weight Distribution Hitch Recommendation for an 18-Foot V-Nose Trailer With Limited Frame Access

Question:

I have an 18foot V nose trailer with an empty weight of 3650lbs and a max loaded weight of 7000lbs to be pulled by a 2013 F-150 pickup. Can you recommend a WD hitch that will work for a V nose? From the center of the hitch ball to the inside of the frame where the V nose is is about 31inch see attached picture. However, that 31inch is obstructed by the V, but only above the frame.

asked by: Buck S

Expert Reply:

Thank you for providing the photo of your V-nose trailer's coupler and frame. Since you have limited frame access on this trailer in order to install a weight distribution/sway control system you will need one that uses lift brackets that bolt on to the side of the frame member rather than the kind that clamps around it. We offer # RP58305 from Reese. These will bolt to the sides of your trailer frame centered 31-inches from the hitch ball.

Step one is to measure your trailer's fully-loaded tongue weight just as it will be when you are on the road. You need to include all gear, supplies and equipment exactly as you will have the trailer loaded when you are on the road, and to this measured tongue weight add the weight of anything in the truck bed that sits behind the rear axle, such as a cooler or generator. Once you know the actual effective tongue weight of your set up you can choose a system. You also need to keep in mind that since your trailer has electric brakes you need to choose a system compatible with electric drum brakes.

The link provided will take you to our main page for electric brake-compatible systems that include sway-control; typically for an enclosed trailer we do recommend a system that includes sway control. The filters on the page will allow you to choose your tongue weight. You might start with the linked article and video to get you going.

If your measured effective tongue weight is 1000-lbs then you might consider the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System # RP66084. To this you will need to add a hitch ball, either 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch # 19286, as well as the bolt-on brackets noted above.