Recommended Weight Distribution System for Towing a 2013 Jayco Jay Feather Ultra Lite X17Z

Updated 03/23/2018 | Published 03/22/2018

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

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

(169)

$568.42

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

(178)

$405.72

Question:

Thanks for the reply. That would hold for the cheaper hitches as well? I don’t want to spend quite that much for one.

asked by: Jim C

Expert Reply:

To choose a correct weight distribution system you need to find your trailer's loaded and ready to tow tongue weight combined with the amount of weight you have stored behind the rear axle of your 2007 Saab 9-7x. From my research the 2013 Jayco Jay Feather Ultra Lite X17Z travel trailer has a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 3,500 pounds. This means if your trailer is loaded to its full capacity the tongue weight should be between 350 to 525 pounds since a trailer's tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of its total weight.

Since you likely are going to have some weight behind the Saab's rear axle I recommend going with the Reese Strait-Line, part # RP66083, that's rated from 400 to 800 pounds of tongue weight. Your total tongue weight will likely fall right in the middle of that range which is where you want it.

The Strait-Line doesn't include a hitch ball so use part # A-90 if your trailer uses a 2 inch ball or part # 19286 if it fits a 2-5/16 inch ball.

I've attached a video on the Strait-Line for you, as well as an article on weight distribution systems.

expert reply by: Charles S

Jim

3/22/2018

Thanks for the reply. That would hold for the cheaper hitches as well? I don’t want to spend quite that much for one.

Charles S.

3/23/2018

Yes, you absolutely need to make sure it's rated appropriately. If not then you're wasting your money no matter which system you get. Rated too low and it won't do its job, to high and it'll cause your ride to be extremely rigid and uncomfortable. A more economical option I recommend is the Fastway e2, part # FA94-00-0800 for a round bar system or # FA92-00-0800 for a trunnion bar. Trunnion bar systems are higher priced because they improve ground clearance but that's really all you gain. You still need a htich ball but the same ones I mentioned also work with the Fastways. The Fastway e2 is a great system that just takes away some of the sway control. The Strait-Line uses cams to prevent sway before it starts where the e2, and a lot of other systems, use metal on metal friction.