Is Weight Distribution Recommended for Trailer with Dry Weigh 4,820 lb

Published 05/20/2025

Question:

I just bought a fairly light less than 24ft trailer that came with this hitch. Trailer is listed at 420lbs tongue weight. Dry weight 4820, max 6400. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Limited with factory 4 corner air suspension. Will I still need to use this or can I just get something like the Reese 83360 sway control kit since the truck automatically levels itself?

asked by: Don S

Ram Towing Camper
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey Don, anytime your trailer weighs more than 50 percent of the tow vehicle it's going to be a good idea to use weight distribution like the Fastway e2 part # FA94-00-0800 that you referenced so I would recommend you use a system like this. The air suspension of your truck will help but it would not take the place of a WD system.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Don S.

5/20/2025

Thanks for the rocket fast reply Jameson. The Fastway E2 was only used on one trip and is like new. I did notice the part number on one of the bars is 94-00-1000 which is evidently the 10k system. Is it too much for this relatively light trailer?

Jameson C.

5/20/2025

@DonS No prob! That system is rated probably a little higher than needed as it has a tongue weight range of 600 - 1,000 lbs. The only way to know for sure would be to determine your tongue weight which happens to also include the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. Do you think your trailer is loaded to about it's max?

Don S.

5/20/2025

@JamesonC, we just got the trailer a few days ago, so I have no idea of actual weight. We have not yet added anything to it. I have thought about getting one of those tongue weight scales so I know where I'm at. We came from 5th wheels with Ram 2500 and an easy peasy Anderson hitch, so this is all new to me.

Jameson C.

5/20/2025

@DonS We have a tongue weight scale with part # BTBRV44FR. So if you set the system up properly and it seemed to work decently you are probably fine. Usually if you are using a system that is rated too high what you'll notice is that the ride quality is super rough since the spring bars aren't flexing.