Recommended Weight Distribution With Sway Control For 5200 lb 24 Foot Travel Trailer

Updated 06/20/2020 | Published 06/18/2020

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2639)

$20.49

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

(4022)

$19.11

Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW

(644)

$596.95

Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(644)

$609.95

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(923)

$850.00

Thin Walled Socket for Equal-i-zer Hitches

(106)

$74.06

Question:

Want to get expert advice on what weight distribution hitch would be best suited for my needs. I’m pulling a 24ft travel trailer, dual axle. Dry weight is 4200lbs, loaded estimated 5200. Tounge weight ~600 I’ll be pulling with a 2017 Ford F-150 3.5 Ecoboost. Thanks much.

asked by: Jonathan Z

Expert Reply:

With an as-loaded weight of about 5200 lbs, your tongue weight will be somewhere in the 500-800 lb range. Because it's a travel trailer, you'll certainly want to go with a w/d system with an integrated sway control because a travel trailer is very susceptible to sway caused by cross winds or passing and oncoming traffic.

In a good/better/best scenario-

The Curt TruTrack # C17499 is rated for 500-800 lbs of tongue weight, which is smack dab where you want to be, unless you're carrying your anvil collection in the bed of the truck behind the rear axle. If your tongue weight should be above 800 lbs, kick up to the higher rated # C17500. This is a good, entry level hitch of this type.

The Reese Steadi-Flex, part # RP66559 would be a better choice. Reese has been manufacturing weight distribution systems for years and years, and they definitely have it down pat. This system is rated for tongue weights between 500-1000 lbs, which once again is right where you need to be.

The best option in my opinion is from Equal-i-zer. Their # EQ37100ET system is rated for tongue weights ranging from 600-1000 lbs, which is right in your wheelhouse. Why Equal-i-zer? Because weight distribution hitches are their core business, it's their primary focus unlike Curt or Reese. They first patented a weight distribution hitch in 1951, so they know what they're doing. Period. They're also the only of the three choices I mentioned that are manufactured in the USA.

The Curt # C17500 includes the 2-5/16 inch trailer ball. The Reese Steadi-Flex and lower rated Curt # C17499 doesn't include the ball, so for a 2 inch ball you'd need # A-90 or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch ball.

The Equal-i-zer hitch includes the 2-5/16 inch ball, but you'll need a 1-7/8 inch thin wall socket to install the ball. If you don't have one, one is available as part # EQ70-00-4800.