Weight Distribution and Sway Control Recommendation for a 2024 Ember Overland 171FB Travel Trailer

Updated 11/05/2024 | Published 11/04/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Curt True Course Advanced Bluetooth Trailer Sway Control - 1 to 4 Axles

(20)

$399.95

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

(2634)

$19.01

Question:

I have a 2021 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercrew 3.5l Powerboost with Full Hybrid Lariat Trim - 502A Equipment Group - Max Trailer Tow Package and Trailer Sway Control. I am about to purchase a 2024 Ember Overland 171FB travel trailer. I need to get a weight distribution hitch specifically for that trailer. I would like to have the best sway control. I was looking at the various hitches with and without sway control and the Curt True Course Sway Control that you sell. Since my truck has built-in trailer sway control, what is the best and safest setup for this trailer? Could I use and would it be beneficial for me to use an add-on sway control system integrated into the hitch and/or something like the Curt True Course? The Ember 171FB Overland has Curt trailing-arm independent coil and duel shock suspension no axle. The hitch attachment on the 171FB is a VersaCoupler Height-Adjustable Bolt-On Hitching system.

asked by: Michael S

Expert Reply:

Hey Michael, thanks for reaching out!

The integrated sway control you have on your 2021 Ford F-150 is basically going to react the same way the Curt True Course Advanced Bluetooth Trailer Sway Control # C94VV does; by activating your trailer brakes to help mitigate trailer sway.

It can work, but what I recommend doing is disabling that feature and using the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control # RP66083 and the 2-5/16" Hitch Ball # 19286 because the cam sway control arms are one of the best sway control options on the market, so you get both the weight distribution and an excellent sway control feature in one system.

Attached is a review video for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

Michael S.

11/4/2024

Jon, Thank you for the information. I am new to all of this so getting advice from a knowledgeable source is important to me. I watched the video you recommended and wanted to confirm some things. 1. You are not recommending using the Curt True Course system in my situation. 2. I would need to disable my F150's trailer sway control. Would you please explain why I would need to do that and why I shouldn't have the F150 sway control active if I used the RP66083? 3. It's my understanding that the F150 sway control alternates the application of the truck's brakes from one side or the other to counter sway and the Curt system does the same with the trailer brakes. Is that accurate and is there any way/benefit to combining truck or trailer braking with active hitch the sway control of the RP66083? 4. Finally, since the Ember 171FB has the VersaCoupler hitch, how would that work with the adjustable hitch on the RP66083?

Jon G.

11/5/2024

@MichaelS No worries! I'll address your questions in the same manner you asked them for clarity: 1. If you're getting a weight distribution system I almost always recommend using the sway control that comes with weight distribution as it tends to work better. 2. Typically, truck owner's manuals will say to disable this feature when using a weight distribution with sway control to prevent the systems working against each other. I just took a look at the online owner's manual for your truck (which I should have done in the first place - my apologies) and Ford doesn't say anything about turning the trailer sway control off for your F-150. 3. The Reese Cam Sway control system is one of the best on the market so it won't need the additional help from the integrated sway control on your F-150, but since the owner's manual doesn't object to it, you can use both together if you'd like. 4. You would just want to make sure your trailer is level. Even though you have adjustability on both ends, you'll want to make sure the trailer coupler is at a position where there will be tension on the WD arms - some of this will just be the result of trial and error. You may also need the Reese Hanger Kit # RP58305 if you don't have enough room for the chain hanger clamps to fit under the box on the front of your trailer.