Reese Weight Dist Shank - 12-1/4" Long - 2" Drop to 6-1/2" Rise - 1,500 lbs TW

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• Using Weight Distribution Shanks in Rise or Drop Orientation
  There are a few shanks that are specifically designed to be used in the rise or drop position only, but it will be clearly stated in the product description. The vast majority of the weight distribution shanks, like the # RP54970 you mentioned can be used in either the rise or drop orientation. The procedure for determining the necessary rise or drop needed is much like that used for a ballmount, see the linked FAQ article.
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• Which Pin Hole to Use on Weight Distribution Shank # RP54970 with a 600 Pound Tongue Weight Trailer
  For up to 1,000 pounds tongue weight you should use the pin hole closest to the rear of the shank, # RP54970. The difference is that with the first hole there is less of the shank in the receiver so the capacity is rated lower. And with the second hole used there is more of the shank in the receiver which accounts for the higher capacity. But for 600 pounds or anything under 1,000 you could use either pin hole.
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• Weight Distribution Shank Recommendations to go from Porsche Cayenne to Ford Expedition
  In order to determine how much drop you would need from your weight distribution shank you will need to check out the FAQ article I attached on picking out the correct ball mount. To get an idea what kind of drop difference you have between your vehicles you could measure from the ground to the hitch on both vehicles and see what the difference is. However much higher the 2010 Ford Expedition sits above your Cayenne should be about how much more drop you would need. If you were at the...
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• At What Point is Ball Height Set When Setting Up Weight Distribution
  You will want to set the preliminary ball height as close to level as possible, set up the weight distribution system properly to eliminate the squat as much as possible with spring bar tension, and then set the ball height again to get everything level trailer-wise. Changing the ball height at this point should not affect the spring bar tension setting.
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• Troubleshooting Trailer Side to Side Shifting While Towing Nose High
  It sounds like the root of your problem is actually that your ball mount has too much rise and because of that your trailer is nose high and you are encountering sway because of it. I attached a help article on picking out the correct rise/drop ball mount for you to check out. Getting your trailer level should fix your problem. A weight distribution system would not help much though so I wouldn't recommend it.
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• What is Gross Trailer Weight Rating of Reese Weight Distribution Shank RP3210
  Weight distribution shanks like the Reese RP3210 and the others shown on the linked page usually have a gross trailer weight (GTW) rating that is 10 times their tongue weight (TW) rating. This holds true in the case of the Reese RP3210 which carries a GTW rating of 14,000-lbs. For a shank rated to 15,000-lbs you can use any of those shown on the other linked page, such as Reese # RP54970 which offers similar rise and drop heights.
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• Hole Dimensions of the Reese Weight Dist Shank # RP54970
  The distance between the mounting holes of the Reese Shank part # RP54970 is 1-1/4 inches and the diameter of the holes is 3/4 of an inch.
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• Why Does the Reese Weight Distribution Shank # RP54970 Have Two Pin Holes
  You are absolutely right. The pin hole used on the shank determines whether or not the # RP54970 has a 1,000 or 1,500 lb tongue weight capacity. I attached a picture that shows which one has either capacity.
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• What is the Weight Capacity of the Reese Weight Distribution System Drop Shank
  The Reese Weight Distribution Shank, # RP54970, is designed to be used with Reese adjustable weight distribution systems, with 15,000 pound gross trailer weight and 1,500 pound tongue weight capacity or less. The spring bars are the item that determines the capacity of the weight distribution system, so you will need to check the capacity of your existing spring bars to determine the capacity of the system you are using the weight distribution shank with. If your weight distribution system...
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• What is the Gross Trailer Weight Rating for the Reese Weight Dist Shank # RP54970
  The gross trailer weight rating for this Reese Weight Dist Shank # RP54970 that you referenced is 15,000 lbs. I attached an FAQ article on weight distribution hitches for you to check out also.
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• How to Determine Correct Rise or Drop for Weight Distribution Shank
  To determine the rise or drop you need for your weight distribution shank you have correctly measured from the ground to the top of your receiver (23-1/8") and it sounds like you have also correctly measured from the ground to the bottom of your coupler (21-1/2"). Since the height of your hitch is greater you will need shank with roughly a 2" drop. The Reese Weight Distribution Shank # RP54970 can be used with round bar or trunnion bar weight distribution systems, has a tongue weight capacity...
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• What is the Purpose of the 2 Hitch Pin Holes on the Reese Weight Dist Shank # RP54970
  The separate bolt holes on the Reese Weight Dist Shank # RP54970 exist in case you need a little bit of an extension. With less shank in the hitch receiver your tongue weight capacity is reduced so if you don't need that extra space simply use the higher weight tongue capacity.
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• Will Pinhole Placement on RP54970 Affect Performance?
  The pinhole that you were using with Reese Shank # RP54970 is simply one that is going to provide more weight capacity. As for your tow ball and coupler, you want to be as level as possible. It is an important number because a level trailer is going to handle better, and reduce the amount of strain on your vehicle, trailer, and tires. I have added a link to a help article on weight distribution systems for you which you may find helpful. If you are dealing with rear squat, there are rear...
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• Can Reese Weight Distribution Shank RP54970 be Used in Rise Position
  Yes, you can use the Reese weight distribution shank part # RP54970 in the rise position like you asked about.
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• Can Weight Distribution Shank be Used Upside-Down to Keep Trailer Level When Hitched
  As long as your particular weight distribution shank is not specified as being for Rise-Only or Drop-Only use then it can be used in an inverted position to give you the height adjustment you need to keep your trailer level. For example, Reese Weight Dist Shank # RP63971 must be used in the drop position only while # RP54970 can be used in either the rise or drop position.
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• How to Pick Out a Weight Distribution System for a 30 ft Travel Trailer
  The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off the loaded tongue weight of your setup. Chances are the Strait-Line Weight Distribution # RP66074 that you referenced that has a 1,200 lb tongue weight rating would work for you, but you will still want to determine the loaded tongue weight of your setup. I attached an FAQ article on how to determine loaded tongue weight. Once you know the loaded tongue weight you can pick out a system that encompasses the tongue weight...
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• Will a Pro Series Weight Distribution Shank # RP63971 Replace a RP54970
  Yes, the Pro Series Weight Distribution Shank part # RP63971 will fit your Pro Series system. Almost all of the weight distribution systems make their shanks to fit the standard size of holes that are 1-1/4 inch apart on center and are 3/4 inch in diameter. We have found that Curt shanks will also fit Reese and Pro Series as well for example.
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• Can Reese Weight Distribution Shank 54998 be Used in Place of Reese Shank 54970
  Yes, you can use weight distribution shank # RP54998 in place of shank # RP54970. The hole spacing and size to mount the weight distribution head is the same on both shanks.
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• Will Reese Weight Distribution Shank # RP63971 Provide 6-Inches of Drop to Keep Trailer Level
  You certainly can change the shank for your weight distribution system if the hitch on your new truck is taller than your old one. If you need 6-inches of drop in order to keep your hitched trailer level then the Reese # RP63971 is a great choice. This shank shares the same 1500-lb tongue weight (TW) capacity as your current shank and it will work fine with your Reese WD system. It is fine for your hitch ball to be up to 1-inch higher than the coupler on the level trailer, before they...
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• Best Weight Distribution and Sway Control for 7606 lbs. GVWR Travel Trailer
  The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow, this figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached an FAQ on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. Typically tongue weight is 10-15 percent of the total trailer weight, so let's say your trailer is loaded to the max and has 15 percent tongue weight. This would put you right...
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• Can Equalizer Weight Distribution Shank Be Used with Reese Head Assembly
  We do not recommend mixing different brands of components within a system, whether it be a weight distribution hitch or a 5th wheel hitch set-up. While it may be possible to do so in some instances, since the different manufacturers will not have tested their items with those from the other maker, there could be an unknown overall capacity resulting from the mixing of components or slight variances in fit. My technical contact at Reese advised that their weight distribution shanks, such...
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• Weight Distribution Recommendation With Sway Control
  We do not carry the Eaz-Lift or Husky weight distribution hitches so I wouldn't be able to tell you which would be a better value. The Strait-Line Weight Distribution # RP66074 that you referenced would be a great choice for a WD system. This is one of the nicest systems on the market that features the only sway control system that actively works to prevent sway before it starts. For a shank to go along with this system you would want the part # RP54970. The best way to pick out a weight...
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• Longer Weight Distribution Shank Recommendation To Clear Tailgate On 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
  The Reese Weight Dist Shank, part # RP3214, measures 14 inches long and has a 5-3/4 inch rise and 2-1/4 inch drop when used with a round bar system. If you have a trunnion-bar system, this shank has a 7 inch rise and a 1-1/4 inch drop. This would be a good replacement for the part # RP54970, you have. This shank has a tongue weight capacity of 1,400 lbs. I have attached a product review video for this shank you can check out.
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• Compatibility of Reese Weight Distribution Shanks for 2-1/2 Inch Receivers with Ford OEM
  I cannot say for certainty if one of the shanks designed for a Class V hitch would work. There are sometimes fit problems using aftermarket ball mounts and shanks in the 2010-2012 Ford OEM Class V hitches. The OEM hitch uses a more rounded radius in the corners of the receiver tube, which sometimes can prevent aftermarket accessories from being installed in the hitch. The Reese # RP54977 is designed and tested with Reese, Hidden Hitch and Draw-Tite hitches. Reese has found that the Ford...
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