Recommended Weight Distribution Hitch With Sway Control for 4300 GVWR Travel Trailer

Updated 04/01/2021 | Published 03/28/2021

Products Featured in This Question

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

(170)

$562.41

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

(2634)

$19.01

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

(3928)

$20.94

Thin Walled Socket for Equal-i-zer Hitches

(100)

$74.06

Question:

Hello, Im looking for a weight distribution hitch for a Jayco 184bs. It has a dry hitch weight of 375 pound and GVWR around 4300 pound. Using 10 to 15 weight estimate, this gives me a range 430 to 645 pound tongue weight. Should I be looking at one with 8,000 pound GTW or 6,000 pound GTW? I will be adding a bike rack on the tongue which will add roughly 100 pound. Ill be towing it with 2019 ford expedition max. Manual says max tongue load 630 pound without WDH and 900 pound with WDH. Should I even consider weight distribution hitch?

asked by: Min

Expert Reply:

Given the information you provided, your trailer's fully loaded tongue weight would likely range between 500 and 700 or so pounds. Since your travel trailer weighs more than 1/2 the weight of the travel trailer you'll wanting to tow, you'd absolutely benefit from a weight distribution system, especially as you could be exceeding the tongue weight capacity of your hitch if a weight distribution system isn't used. Plus, travel trailers are especially susceptible to trailer sway because their tall sides act like the sail on a boat. Crosswinds and turbulence from passing traffic can really push the trailer around unless a weight distribution with a decent sway control component is used.

The Fastway e2 hitch that you'd looked at, part # FA92-00-0800 is exactly what I'd recommend. It's rated for trailers with tongue weights between 400-800 lbs, so it'll work perfectly for you. The integrated sway control offered by the system works great on mild to moderate sway, so it'll be a great choice. The hitch doesn't include the trailer ball. For a 2 inch ball, you'll need # A-90 or # 19286 for a 2-5/16 inch ball. You'll also need a 1-7/8 inch thin walled socket to install the ball. If you don't have one or can't borrow one, we offer one as part # EQ70-00-4800.

If you click the provided link, you can see a video where my buddy Randy will show how the system gets set up.

expert reply by: Mike L