Forum Discussion

Explorer

Mar 12, 2016

Weight distribution with a single axle trailer?

I've been towing travel trailers for years and mine have always been big enough that I needed a weight distribution hitch. I'm going with my brother-in-law today to look at campers, and one of the trailers that he wants to look at is a 20ft single axle trailer with a dry weight of 2600lbs and a tongue weight of 300lbs. He will be towing it with a 2002 F150. My question is, would he need any sort of weight distribution with this light of a trailer? I don't know how this weight compares to a typical pop-up which doesn't need one, but I was leaning towards telling him he shouldn't need one for that trailer. He is a little concerned about possible sway with a single axle. Anyone on here have a single axle travel trailer, and what kind of set up do you use?

14 Replies

Tvov
Explorer II
Mar 12, 2016
A 20ft travel trailer that weighs 2600lbs that is single axle? Do you know what make and model? I am just curious.

Mine is 21ft, considered "ultra lightweight", 2 axles, and weighs 4600lbs.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Mar 12, 2016
I see no reason for a WDH with a little trailer like that. It will be well within the truck's rating without it. As for sway control, if you load it properly that shouldn't be necessary either.
I've towed everything from boat to flatbed to RVs up to about 13,000 pounds. I've never had nor needed sway control. Except for once: I had a poorly loaded trailer behind a truck that was too small. Sway almost wrecked it.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Mar 12, 2016
With more than 10 percent tongue weight (300 lbs) you do not need WD or sway.
atreis
Explorer
Mar 12, 2016
Probably not, but sway control is always good, and the two often come together.