Is Curt TruTrack # C17500 Weight Distribution System Good for Car Hauler with 1000-lb Tongue Weight

Question

Question:

I have a 2012 F150 XLT, and just purchased a new 24 ft car hauler. Im not sure of the total loaded weight at the moment, but I think its around 7500-8000 lbs. And it will NEVER be more than 10,000lbs. I scaled the TW, and it came out to exactly 1000lbs....maybe even 1010 lbs. I think if I redistribute the weight a bit better, I can get the TW below 1000lbs. My question is: will this hitch be enough?

asked by: Justin T

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Expert Reply:

All weight distribution (WD) systems like the Curt TruTrack # C17500 work over a tongue weight (TW) range of several hundred pounds. This particular system works with TW from 800 to 1000-lbs and ideally the total TW should fall right in the middle of the system's operating range.

A trailer's TW will usually be about 10 to 15-percent of its gross weight; this TW value tends to deliver the smoothest handling with the least trailer sway. At 8000-lbs gross trailer weight your TW could be anywhere from 800-lbs to 1200-lbs but at 10,000-lbs, your expected maximum load, TW will likely fall between 1000- and 1500-lbs. This is a large enough variance that you'll want to try to keep your TW as consistent as you can so that your chosen WD system has the right degree of stiffness to shift TW forward onto the truck's front axle but without being so stiff that it creates weird handling from the trailer.

You also need to include in your TW calculation the weight of anything in the truck that sits behind the rear axle, say a fully-loaded cooler, tool box or generator. This weight added to the loaded trailer's actual measured TW becomes the guide for selecting a WD system. Again, you want to choose a system such that your total TW falls in the middle of its operating range. For a 1000-lb+ TW you'll want a system with a higher weight capacity than the TruTrack.

For a 1200-lb total TW I suggest the Reese Strait-Line System # RP66130 which works with electric brakes (but not surge brakes) and which allows you to back up the trailer. All you need to add to this system is a shank like # RP54970 and a hitch ball like # C40086.

I have included a link to our main page for WD systems. You can click on your total TW and your type of brakes to see suitable systems. I also linked a helpful article on WD systems that may be of interest to you.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

Welcome back Don! The Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control item #EQ37120ET is exactly what I would recommend using. This is a solid reliable system and the built in sway control will make a noticeable improvement in ride…

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Answer 2

Weight distribution systems that have 2-point sway control generally have sway control just at the ends of the springs bars on the trailer side. On the Fastway systems for example the L bracket that secures the bar to the frame bracket can be…

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Answer 3

-Hey Tom, Equal-i-zer makes frame brackets for 8 inch trailer frames. For that you would need the part #EQ90-02-5378 for outer link and then for an inner link part #EQ90-02-5208. You'd need two of these with the system you order since the…

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Answer 4

Hey Kevin, welcome back! Thank you for all of the details on your towing setup. Based on all of that the best option for a 4 point weight distribution system that will work great is the Equal-i-zer part #EQ37100ET. The Equalizer brand is basically…

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Answer 5

There's a couple key differences between the Equal-I-Zer Weight Distribution systems #EQ37121ET and #EQ37100ET that you referenced. The biggest being that the tongue weight range is different. The part #EQ37100ET has a range of 600-1,000 lbs and…

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Answer 6

Hi Garrett! We do have options for your 2015 Kenworth T270, but there are not going to be any custom fit hitches available. If I were doing this, I would go with the Curt Class 5 Universal Weld-on Hitch w/ Brackets - 2-1/2" Receiver - 44"…

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Answer 7

You should always air a trailer tire up to the max cold psi rating. The 80 psi for cold is just for the tire being cold and wouldn't be the max psi once it actually heats up. Each tire brand/model is going to be different so you'd have to…

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