Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2011 R-Pod 176T

Published 11/12/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Round - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW

(172)

$509.05

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 4,500 lbs GTW, 450 lbs TW

(108)

$534.82

Strait-Line Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - No Shank - Trunnion Bar - 6K GTW, 600 lbs TW

(70)

$663.25

Question:

I am looking at towing a 2011 RPOD 176T Dry weight 2495 lbs and Hitch weight of 288 lbs with my 2012 Volvo XC70 3.2L. I was wondering which weight distribution/sway systems would be better. The Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW or the Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 4,500 lbs GTW, 450 lbs TW. I am not certain what loaded tongue would be at the moment plus the weight behind my rear axles. Is it better just to go with the 600 lbs TW?

asked by: Nathan M

Expert Reply:

Speaking in general terms, tongue weight is made up of about 10-15 percent of the total weight of the trailer plus the weight behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. If your dry hitch weight is approximately 288 lbs with a dry trailer weight of 2,495 lbs and your trailer has a GVWR of 3,788 lbs from what I was able to find online, the Fastway e2 # FA94-00-0600 with a 600 lbs TW capacity would work much better for you than the 450 lb system # FA92-00-0450.

That being said, the minimum tongue weight for the FA94-00-0600 system is 400 lbs, so there may be times (like when you tow your R-Pod dry) where the system won't have enough weight applied to function like it's intended to.

For a system that has a more versatile tongue weight range, take a look at the Reese Strait-Line # RP66072. This system has a tongue weight range between 200 and 600 lbs, which I believe will work better for your application. It also features a superior dual-cam sway control system which prevents trailer sway instead of just stopping it once it has begun, like the e2 system. All in all, this is one of our customer favorites because of its relatively quiet operation and effective sway control.

expert reply by: Carla M