Is Weight Distribution/Sway Control Needed for 2013 Subaru Tribeca Towing 2500-lb Trailer  

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Expert Reply:

A weight distribution (and/or sway control) system is worth considering under several conditions. One is if your loaded trailer weight (GTW) is more than 50 percent of your vehicle's weight (GVWR). According to my research your Tribeca has a curb weight of 4214-lbs. With your loaded trailer weight being about 2500-lbs you are right at the point where weight distribution may help trailer and tow vehicle handling. You might refer to the linked article on weight distribution.

If you find that the rear of the Tribeca sags when hitched, if your headlights are pointing upward, or if steering and braking are unsatisfactory, then you may be ready for weight distribution. If you've towed this trailer with this vehicle often and do not have any of these issues then you may be able to do without. To use a system your hitch MUST be rated for use with weight distribution; this compatibility will be noted on the hitch safety/warning sticker. If your hitch is suitably rated and you feel a need to correct any of the issues noted above then we can help you select a system.

The key to selecting a weight distribution system is to choose one based on your measured tongue weight. It is important that the system be "tuned" to your trailer tongue weight to ensure that you choose one whose spring bars are stiff enough to provide the desired redistribution of tongue weight onto the tow vehicle's front axle, but not so stiff that the result is jumpy or erratic handling from the trailer. The figures you need are your actual loaded trailer tongue weight plus the weight of anything in the tow vehicle that sits behind the rear axle, such as a loaded cooler or generator. (Please see the linked article on tongue weight.) This combined weight - your total effective tongue weight - is what you will use to select a system.

Ideally you want to choose a system rated such that your total effective tongue weight falls in the middle of the system's operating range. For example, the Reese Weight Distribution System you referenced, part # RP66542, works for tongue weights ranging from about 600-lbs up to a maximum of 1200-lbs. This system is too stiff for your application.

Let's say for example that your total effective TW ends up being 450 to 500-lbs. You can use this figure on the page linked at right to select a system tuned for this weight. A good option for this tongue weight is the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System # RP66082 which works with tongue weights from 200 to 600-lbs, and which incorporates automatic self-adjusting, self-centering trailer sway control as well.

All you'd need to add to this system is a hitch ball with a 1-1/4-inch diameter shank. Part # A-90 is a 2-inch ball and part # 19286 is a 2-5/16-inch ball.

expert reply by: Adam R

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