Weight Distribution Recommendation for Forest River Salem FSX Travel Trailer

Updated 04/30/2025 | Published 04/27/2025

Question:

I have a 2018 Lexus GX 460 and pull a Forest River Salem FSX travel trailer, which weighs approximately 4,500 pounds. I have sag in the back end, and the trailer sways. What do you recommend for a weight/sway distribution system? And, or should I consider installing airbags in the back of my SUV as well? Thanks

asked by: Craig

Expert Reply:

Hey Craig, the biggest thing that causes trailer sway is not enough tongue weight relative to the total trailer weight. You need to have the tongue weight between 10 and 15 percent of the total trailer weight. Most likely your tongue weight is on the lighter side so if you can move weight forward in the trailer that would be your best option.

So based on that the Reese Pro Round Bar System part # RE34FR would be a great option as it has a tongue weight range of 200-600 lb which should be right at what you need based on the total weight of your trailer. This also has friction sway control built into the head of the system too.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Craig

4/30/2025

Thank you for the information, with the video attached to the Reese pro bar system. It mentioned that is a basic model. That didn’t have a tilt pitch receiver piece I guess basically what is the next step up from that one but still the same tongue, weight and gross weight. And can I go to reverse in these models? Thanks

Jameson C.

4/30/2025

@Craig The Reese system is considered to be more of an entry level system but that's mostly just due to it's use of round bar spring bars and the price. Round bars come out of the bottom of the head of the system and then curve back to the rear of the trailer so while still just as effective there's a little bit of ground clearance lost. Most of the time that's not an issue. For the price you really can't beat this system unless you want the best of the best pricing. Like the Blue Ox system part # BLU36FR is a similar weight range and has trunnion bars instead of the round bars but the price is quite a bit higher. I can't in good faith say it's going to be night and day better than the Reese either.