Should Weight Distribution System be Used for 2015 Subaru Outback Pulling Safari Condo Alto 1713

Question

Question:

So...I have a Subaru Outback 3.6R V6 with a 2inch receiver/ball. Were going to be pulling a Safari Condo Alto 1713 and need to know whether or not a WD system is required. The base weight of the Alto 1713 is 1,661 lbs.

asked by: Paul A

0

Expert Reply:

A full weight distribution system isn't necessary for pulling a Safari Condo Alto 1713 with your 2015 Subaru Outback Wagon, however I do think you would really benefit from adding a standalone friction sway bar like the excellent Curt # 17200.

This is going to attach to your ball mount and the trailer frame to create tension that helps to keep the trailer in line to prevent side-to-side movement (sway) that tends to be more common with lighter trailers like this. This is just going to make your highway driving much smoother without having to experience those white knuckle moments that are only good for getting your heart rate up.

Going back to a full weight distribution system, it's good to remember that a system will typically provide benefits whenever the trailer weighs at least half of the tow vehicle's weight. Your Subaru Outback weighs around 3,600 to 3,800 pounds, so the 1,661 pound weight on the Safari Condo Alto does fall below this parameter. Doing a bit more research, it also doesn't appear that the trailer hitches for a Subaru Outback are even rated for use with a weight distribution system, as they do put a lot of stress on the rear of the vehicle/hitch and not all of them are designed to handle this.

I have attached a short video review on the Curt Sway Bar below, along with the written instructions manual that you can check out.

expert reply by: Chris R

0

Mary R.

1/9/2026

I have a 2023 safari condo F1743 Do I need weight distribution and sway bars and if so what type?

Chris R.

1/9/2026

@MaryR Those are super light campers and it looks like your Condo in particular has a dry weight of under 2,000 pounds. You should be just fine without a WD system. Have you towed it much yet or is this a new purchase?

Mary R.

1/9/2026

@ChrisR Hi and thank you for your response- GVR is 3000 and I saw it is 2023 new to me unit. I search for information in You tube s d saw a sway bar system used by a very popular pod caster who owned a unit similar to my untit.

Chris R.

1/10/2026

@MaryR That's awesome! Congrats on the new camper. What vehicle will you be towing it with? Honestly, what you could do is just take it out for a quick test with at least a little bit of highway driving to see how it handles. If you notice it pulling you around a bit, sway control will clean it up pretty quickly.

Answer 1

Hey Matthew, out of the three hitches you're going to want the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C22UR. This one sits the highest off the ground at 11" from the ground to the top of the receiver opening. Still not super high up, but not terribly…

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Answer 2

Yes, you can use the Reese Friction Sway control part #83660 without a weight distribution system. You would just need to use the tab part #RP26003 on the ball mount as well.

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

The main difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13416 and the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part #EH97FR is that the EcoHitch has a completely hidden cross tube whereas the Curt cross tube will be visible from the rear of…

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Answer 6

Hi David! There are quite a few hitches offered for your 2026 Honda Odyssey, so I definitely understand wanting to know the differences. There are basically three styles available for you and I have them broken out below: Exposed Crosstube: etrailer…

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Answer 7

Hey Ricardo! Yes, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C82RJ is the hitch Curt is working on for the new 2027 Telluride. This is a pre-order since Curt hasn't finished the design. It does not include wiring. The wiring harness for the 2027 is also up…

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Answer 8

To install a Redarc Tow Pro Liberty in your 2023 Toyota Tacoma Sport you will need the following parts: Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller item #RED24FR Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness for Redarc Tow-Pro Trailer Brake Controllers item #RED99FR…

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Answer 9

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 10

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 11

Good morning to you as well Steve, and congrats on your new van! I would be more than happy to make a recommendation for you! The best hitch for your 2026 Toyota Sienna, is going to be our etrailer item #e56RR. This is a class III hitch with a…

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Answer 12

Hey Ben! The Curt does have that restriction on the vertical bike racks so I recommend the TowSmart Trailer Hitch #TS82VR. This has a higher tongue weight capacity and will allow you to carry the VelociRAX. It would be a good idea to add the etrailer…

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Should Weight Distribution System be Used for 2015 Subaru Outback Pulling Safari Condo Alto 1713

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