Recommended Weight Distribution for Towing a 20 Foot Trailer with a 2017 Ram 1500  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

A weight distribution (WD) system is needed when the trailer weighs at least half of the curb weight (unloaded weight) of the tow vehicle. Since this is the case with your 2017 Ram 1500 and the 20' travel trailer you are looking at I definitely recommend using a WD system.

For your application I recommend the Reese Strait-Line # RP66083 because it uses a dual-cam sway control that works to prevent sway before it starts instead of correcting it after it starts. This has a tongue weight (TW) range of 400 lbs - 800 lbs which should be the range you are looking for. You just have to make sure that the TW of your loaded trailer PLUS the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your Ram sits in about the middle of this range. You can use a scale like part # e99044 to help you determine your trailer tongue weight. If you get towards the 800 lb range then you need the Strait-Line # RP66084 instead which has a TW range of 600 lbs - 1,200 lbs.

The only other thing you need is a hitch ball like the 2" # A-90 or the 2-5/16" # 19286.

I have attached a review video of the Strait-Line for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

1

Joeg

8/7/2019

How does the Reese recommendation compare to the Equal-I-zer brand Sway Control Hitch? I am leaning towards purchasing a 2019 Forest River MICRO LITE 21FBRS with a GVWR of 6,000 lbs and would be towing with a 2017 Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab with the 3.92 rear axle and a class IV receiver hitch. What would be the recommendation for the Equal-I-zer brand?

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Jon G.

8/7/2019

Both the Reese Strait-Line # RP66084 and the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution (WD) System # EQ37120ET (which is the one I recommend for your trailer) are comparable when it comes to quality and performance. For a while the Strait-Line was considered the leading WD system and then people started using the Equal-i-zer and liked how easy it is to set up plus you get the 4-point sway control. Since they use different sway control methods it's a little difficult to compare them directly but I can say that either one is a great choice that you'll be happy with. Please note that you need a 1-7/8" thin-walled socket like part # EQ70-00-4800 to install the hitch ball on the Equal-i-zer system.

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