Weight Distribution System Recommendation for Trailer with Loaded Tongue Weight of 550 lbs

Updated 05/26/2016 | Published 05/24/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW

(183)

$533.05

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(2639)

$23.44

2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000

(4009)

$18.98

Question:

If a Fastway e2 800 is adjusted to my fully loaded truck and trailer before a trip. Will it need to be readjusted at the end of the trip if my tongue weight is reduced due to less propane and water etc. And if it does need readjustment is there an easier way than changing the height of the L brackets.

asked by: Larry H

Expert Reply:

You asked a lot of great questions, but let's first start with picking out the correct system based on the loaded tongue weight you listed. Keep in mind that the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle needs to be counted as tongue weight too. That being said, the weight of the WD system does not count as tongue weight.

The Reese system part # RP66153 has a tongue weight range of 400 lbs to 800 lbs and would work well for you. Also the reason I recommended it is because with this system you can mount the hangers of the kit in front of the interference on the trailer tongue.

When you use a WD system not only do you have to pick out a system that is rated for the tongue weight but you have to set up the system based on the tongue weight. So if you set your system up when the trailer was loaded you would have to make adjustments to it so that it would be set up properly when there was less weight. Otherwise you would have a very harsh ride quality.

For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Larry H.

5/24/2016

Jameson C.

5/26/2016

If the tongue weight of the setup ends up drastically different then yes you would need to lower the amount of spring bar tension from the WD system. If the change isn't that significant you would most likely be just fine leaving it as-is. Since changing L-bracket height with the # FA94-00-0800 would be somewhat involved you may be better served by going with a system that uses chain hangers that would allow you to simply change the amount of chain links used to adjust spring bar tension. The part # RP66541 is rated the same and uses a combination of head angle and chain links to adjust spring bar tension. The amount of chain links used would allow you to fine tune the spring bar tension in the event you need to slightly change the amount of tension.