Recommended Weight Distribution for Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604WS Towed By 2015 Ford F150
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I am purchasing a new travel trailer and want to get an expert opinion about which weight dist hitch is best suited. I drive a 2015 Ford F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost engine. I am considering a Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604WS trailer. It is 5800 lbs dry weight and tongue weight rated at 750 ish. My truck says it has max tongue weight of 1100. I want to stay at lower weights than truck is capable of so that is the reason for the lite trailer. First question....do you see any problem with the weight of the trailer and the tow vehicle as far as capability. I want to err on the safe side for towing and stopping of course. I see a lot of the reviews where people are pulling larger trailers with 1/2 ton pu and I dont want to get that high. Next question.......which hitch would you recommend for this setup? Total tongue weight loaded up to travel is not known now and I realize your suggestion would be only that. Thanks for your help. I have purchased from trailer before and always had great experience. Thanks
asked by: Sam H
Expert Reply:
Your truck most likely has plenty of capacity for the TT you mention, but I'd recommend determining its towing capacity. On the drivers side door jamb, you find the ratings sticker. Find the GCWR, which stands for gross combined weight rating. This is the maximum amount that the vehicle and the trailer can weigh. From the GCWR, subtract the curb weight of the vehicle and the weight of passengers and gear typically carried in the truck. Your remaining amount is the maximum trailer weight.
To choose a weight distribution system, you'll need to first determine the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer. To that figure, add the weight of any gear stowed in the cargo area of the SUV or truck bed 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.
The fact that you don't know what the fully loaded and ready to tow weight of the trailer will put me at a bit of a disadvantage in recommending a system. If you can determine the GVWR of the trailer, and split the difference between the GVWR and the TT's dry weight, you've got a pretty plausible fully loaded and ready to tow weight. 10 to 15 percent of that is a pretty good guesstimate of the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight. You'll be looking at something between 770-975 lbs for your as-towed tongue weight, which is what I'll base my recommendation on.
A 30 foot long, relatively long TT like your Rockwood Ultra Lite will be susceptible to cross winds and turbulence caused by passing traffic, therefore, I'd recommend going with a W/D system that incorporates sway control. The Reese Strait-Line, part # RP66084 would be ideal, as it's designed for trailers with tongue weights ranging from 600-1200 lbs, which is perfect for your TT.
The # RP66084 includes a weight distributing shank, but a 2-5/16 trailer ball, part # 19286 is sold separately.

Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Will Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Brackets Sit Low Enough for Generator Box Door Clearance
- Article: Which Sway Control Hitch is Right For Your Trailer?
- Article: 2 Steps for Finding the Right Weight Distribution Hitch Size
- Article: Determining Trailer Tongue Weight
- Q&A: Recommended Weight Distribution System for a Nucamp Tab 400
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches
- Q&A: Is Noise and Slightly Bent Trunnion Bars Safe for a Weight Distribution System
- Q&A: Comparing Reese Strait Line And Dual Cam II Weight Distribution Hitches
- Article: 5 Tips to Confidently Choose Your Weight Distribution Hitch
- Q&A: Recommended Trailer Hitch Receiver and Weight Distribution System for 2007 HS M30SFS and Trailer
- Q&A: How to Tell if Trailer is Standard or Underslung for B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System
- Q&A: Replacement Arms and Shank for Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Article: The Best Towing Mirrors