Recommended Weight Distribution Hitch for a 2007 Ford F-150 and a 7,580 GVWR Trailer

Updated 03/10/2010 | Published 03/08/2010

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2634)

$18.95

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

(3914)

$20.94

Question:

I need a suggestion for a W.D. hitch. I have a 2007 Ford F-150 supercab 4x4 5.4L engine with the tow package. I am getting ready to purchase a travel trailer. It weighs 4,080 pounds empty with a GVWR of 7,580 pounds. The travel trailer is 8ft wide and is 20 feet long not including the tongue. I need a reccomendation as to everything I need in a W.D. hitch. I have been told that I may not need sway control, but I want you input on that also. Thank you for your help!!

asked by: Bob

Expert Reply:

You were told correctly, you may not need a sway control system. Sway is dependent on a lot of factors including things like trailer length, load arrangement in trailer and road conditions. In any case, I will recommend a weight distribution system that is set up to easily add a sway control system if you decide you want it or it becomes a necessity.

Your trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR of 7,580 pounds, meaning that the trailer when fully loaded cannot weight more than that. For the sake of finding a weight distribution system we will assume that you will use the trailer to the full 7,580 pound capacity. A trailer tongue weight is usually 10-15 percent of the total weight so with a 7,580 pound trailer your tongue weight will be between 758-1137 pounds.

At this weight I would recommend a weight distribution system with a tongue weight range of 600-1200 pounds, like the Reese Heavy Duty System, part # RP66542. This system will be able to handle the weight nicely and has the integrated cams on the spring bars so that later you can add the High Performance Dual Cam Sway Control, part # RP26002.

You will need a ball to go with the weight distribution system, but you will need to refer to the coupler on the trailer to find what size ball you need. For a 2 inch ball use # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball use # 19286.

I have added links to the parts below as well as a video of the recommended weight distribution kit being installed that should be pretty helpful

expert reply by: Patrick B