Best Weight Distribution System Recommendation for 2017 R-Pod 179 Trailer

Published 03/01/2018

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2620)

$24.09

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

(3870)

$21.40

1-7/8" 12pt Shallow Socket - 3/4" Drive - Chromium-Vanadium Steel

(279)

$19.49

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW

(840)

$825.00

Question:

Jameson C at etrailer recomended a Reese Strait Line hitch for our Rpod 179 trailer. It has a loaded tongue weight of 580 lbs. Tow vehicle is a 2017 Ram 1500. I want a premium hitch that prevents sway. The issue i have with the Strait Line hitch is that it requires drilling three holes on each side of the trailer frame. I already have six holes on one side where a friction sway control was mounted. I really dont want to put any more holes in the frame. It amazes me how thin the frame material is! Any ideas?

asked by: Kenneth J

Expert Reply:

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 a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use.

So your loaded tongue weight being 580 lbs would be perfect for the Reese Strait Line part # RP66083 which has a tongue weight range of 400-800 lbs and features only sway control that works to prevent sway before it starts.

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

Kenneth J.

3/1/2018

Jameson C.

3/1/2018

The best solution would then be the Equal-I-Zer kit part # EQ37060ET which has a tongue weight range of 200-600 lbs. You're on the higher end of it's range but as long as you are sure it's 580 lbs this kit will work great and won't require frame drilling. The Equalizer and Strait Line kits are considered by many to be the best two options out there so this kit wil work well for you. You'll need a thin walled socket like part # ALL643216 to install the included ball as well.