Weight Distribution Brand Comparison and How to Choose Correctly-Rated System

Published 06/22/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW

(840)

$697.51

Question:

I have a 2017 F150 with a 3.5 Ecoboost, 10 speed tranny, Supercab, 4x4, with the max tow package. The Ford chart shows it can tow 11,800#, and a payload of 3,220#. I am thinking of purchasing an Imagine 2950RL by Grand Design. Its UVW is 6,985#, GVWR is 8,995#, and Hitch Weight is 795#. I need to purchase a weight distribution hitch. I am considering the Hensley, Pro Series, and Equalizer hitches. Any advice on my need would be greatly appreciated.

asked by: Jon

Expert Reply:

Your 2017 Ford F-150 3.5L Supercab 4X4 pickup does not have the towing capacities you quoted. The Ford Towing Guide, online edition page 18, indicates the Supercab 3.5L 4x4 has a maximum towing capacity of 7200-lbs for a conventional trailer. You will certainly want to check this before buying any trailer.

The key to choosing a weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) hitch setup is knowing the actual tongue weight (TW) of the trailer when it is fully-loaded, with all your gear and supplies loaded up and with water and propane tanks filled. Dry hitch weight, in your case 795-lbs, can let you get pretty close but in all honesty, I would load and tow the trailer a time or two to both allow you to measure your actual loaded TW (using scale # e99044) and to try various loading configurations for your gear. You may find you can improve trailer handling over the course of a few loading processes by placing certain items in specific spots in the trailer. Ideally, you'll find the best loading scheme for all your usual stuff before you install a WD/SC system.

The total effective TW of the towing system is the actual trailer TW plus the weight of anything in the truck bed that sits behind the rear axle, such as a big loaded cooler or a generator. This behind-the-axle cargo will appear as tongue weight to the WD system so it must be added to the trailer's own actual TW. The ideal is that this total TW falls near the middle of the operating range for the system you select.

Let's presume your trailer's loaded TW will be 1100-1200-lbs, which is a reasonable estimate. In this case the systems rated for the range of 1000 to 1400-lbs, such as Equal-I-zer # EQ37140ET, would be perfect. We do not carry the Hensley brand, so I have no experience with their products, but the Equal-I-zer systems are rated highly by our customers that have purchased them. I think this may mean more to you than much of what I might offer. Hensley products are well-made but can be premium priced.

The linked page shows you all systems for 2-inch hitches that include the shank, work with electric brakes and that allow you to back up the trailer without having to disconnect anything. I really like the USA-made Equal-I-zer design because their frame brackets are smaller and much easier to fit on the a-frame. The 2950RL leaves plenty of space available for most systems' brackets but easier is easier. This is my recommendation, over the Pro Series, which is made overseas.

expert reply by: Adam R