Recommended Weight Distribution System for Towing 5000 lb Boat With 2005 Ford Explorer

Question:

I own a 05 Ford Explorer 4.0 L v6 tow package I tow a 5K pound boat. I know IM near the limit of the capacity, I am looking for a recommendation for a anti sway weight distro system.

asked by: Tom S

Expert Reply:

First, be aware that using a weight distribution system won't increase the towing capacity of the vehicle. In instances where the vehicle is equipped with a hitch whose capacity is lower than that of the vehicle, the system can increase the capacity of the hitch, but never for the vehicle. The manufacturer's stated towing capacity is written in stone and can't be changed. However, if the fully loaded and ready to tow weight of your boat is indeed below what Ford states the towing capacity is, you would certainly benefit from a weight distribution system to level out the ride height between the front and rear axles of your Explorer.

To choose a weight distribution system, you'll need to first determine the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your boat and trailer. To that figure, add the weight of any gear stowed in the cargo area of the Explorer behind the rear axle. I've linked to an FAQ article that explains how to do this. These combined figures comprise the Total Tongue Weight (TTW) of your set-up. The TTW of your trailer should fall as close as possible to the middle of the effective range of the weight distribution system you choose.

For instance, as a general rule, the tongue weight of trailer is typically between 10 to 15 percent of its total weight. Boats can be below 10 percent, because the engine and fuel tanks are at the rear which lighten the tongue weight. Since a low tongue weight percentage can cause trailer sway problems, I'd highly recommend you go with a system with an integrated sway control system. I'm guessing your TTW is somewhere between 400-800 lbs. If that's the case, the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System, part # RP66558 would be ideal for tongue weighs from 400-600 lbs, or # RP66559 for 500-1000 lbs of tongue weight .

Boat trailers almost without exception have a pole or channel tongue. If this is the case, you'd need a pole tongue adapter, part # RP58393. The system I recommended includes the weight distributing shank, but the trailer ball with 1-1/4 inch diameter shank is sold separately. For a 2 inch ball, use # A-90 or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch ball.

expert reply by: Mike L