Recommended Sway Control/Weight Distribution for Trailer With 1500-2000 lb Tongue Weight

Updated 03/04/2021 | Published 02/28/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt MV Weight Distribution System - Round Bar - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW

(355)

$361.50

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control - No Shank - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(840)

$697.17

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 16,000 lbs GTW, 1,600 lbs TW

(840)

$896.27

Thin Walled Socket for Equal-i-zer Hitches

(100)

$90.07

Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 2-1/2" Hitch - 7" Rise, 3" Drop

(150)

$229.64

Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 2-1/2" Hitch - 8" Rise, 4" Drop

(119)

$218.99

Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 2-1/2" Hitch - 10" Rise/6" Drop

(260)

$183.17

Question:

Needing a weight distribution with sway control that is good for a tongue weight of 1500lbs to 2000lbs. And has a shank size of 2 1/2 inches. What would your recommendation be.

asked by: Steve B

Expert Reply:

The best way to proceed is to definitively identify the tongue weight of the trailer when it's loaded as it typically would be when you tow. I'll link to an article that explains a few ways to do this, but the easiest method is to use a tongue weight/payload scale like the etrailer, part # e99044. I attached a video and an article to help you with this.

Equal-i-zer weight distribution hitches are what I most often recommend, because of how well they're constructed and how amazingly well they work to combat trailer sway. I have suggestions for systems that will work for tongue weights up to 1600 lbs. If your trailer's tongue weight is greater than that, I'd try to move some of the weight in the trailer rearward to decrease the tongue weight because once you get above 1600 lbs, you'll need to upgrade the hitch on the vehicle. If that's the case, let me know and I can recommend a hitch for you.

For tongue weights between 1200-1600, I'd recommend the Equal-i-zer # EQ64FR which also includes a 2-1/2 inch shank which will provide a maximum rise of 6 inches or a drop of 3 inches.

For a trailer tongue weight from 800-1200 lbs, use the Equal-i-zer # EQ37121ET. You'll need to purchase the 2-1/2 inch shank separately. For a 7 inch rise/3 inch drop use # EQ90-02-4700, # EQ90-02-4800 for a 8 inch rise/4 inch drop, or # EQ90-02-4900 for a 10 inch rise/6 inch drop.

Both hitches include the 2-5/16 inch trailer ball, but you'll need a 1-7/8 inch thin wall socket to install it. If you don't have or can't borrow one, we offer one as part # EQ70-00-4800.

I've linked to some videos explaining how to use the tongue weight scale I mentioned as well as to a video that explains how to set up the Equal-i-zer system.

The Curt # C17057 system you'd looked at wouldn't provide any sway control, so I wouldn't recommend going that route.