Weight Distribution Recommendation For 2018 Forest River Surveyor 285IKLE Travel Trailer

Updated 04/23/2021 | Published 04/21/2021

Question:

I called to request information about a weight distribution hitch with sway control that would be the most appropriate for my 2018 Surveyor 285 IKLE Travel Trailer. I would prefer one that is easy to disengage in case there is a tight turn when backing up if that is an issue with some models The person who helped me on the phone was respectful, patient and kind as a customer service agent, but did not seem knowledgeable about the product at all. She didnt ask model or information about my TT, how often we use it, what terrain, etc. I just did not feel comfortable with any of her recommendations. She ended up recommending an option that said recommended for vehicles with occasional sway well....we experience frequent sway on the highway. Can someone please reach out to me with appropriate options for my needs that is knowledgeable?

asked by: Rachel H

Expert Reply:

Ok, we can definitely help you out here with a really good weight distribution hitch for your 2018 Forest River Surveyor 285IKLE travel trailer. Since it's a pretty good size at just over 32 feet I'm not surprised that you are experiencing quite a bit of sway, particularly on the highway, so I think that should be our number one concern.

The right system is going to depend on your total tongue weight, which we can calculate to be in the neighborhood of 12 percent or so of the trailer's GVWR; for the nearly 9,500 lb GVWR of your '18 Surveyor 285IKLE, that will be in the 1,100 lb range, and based on that, the best option for a weight distribution hitch that meets your needs is from Blue Ox:

- Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distribution with Sway Control # BLU27FR

There are a number of reasons I really like the TrackPro, starting with the sway control I mentioned. This unit prevents sway with friction at the brackets as well as at the head so it will give you a more controlled ride with better sway control than similar units.

Ease of use is another benefit of the TrackPro # BLU27FR with its set up that does not require precise and painstaking addition of washers to the head unit, for example. It also has grease zerks where the arms connect to the head unit for easy maintenance. As far as disconnecting, like all weight distribution systems, the TrackPro can still take some time, there's really no way around that.

You would still have to use your trailer jack to support the tongue weight and use a lift tool. But there shouldn't be any issue with that in all honesty, as long as you have 4 inches of space behind the L-bracket (which your trailer should) then turning won't be a problem.

The TrackPro does come with everything you need for install as well, including the hitch ball, and I have added a link below to both the installation instructions and a video review for you to check out of the Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distribution with Sway Control # BLU27FR.