Weight distribution system

ktmrfs wrote:

Westsidebob wrote:
Hello all, I'm new to the forum, it looks very helpful. I have a question about pulling with a F-250. We shopped today for a new rv, thinking about a 32ft bumper pull. The dealership is trying to sell us a weight distribution system and a sway bar. Do I need a weight distribution system? Do I need a sway bar? The trailer is 7765 pounds unloaded, and a dry hitch weight of 780lbs. I'm thinking I don't need the weight distribution, but maybe a sway bar? Thanks for any help!

I'd say YES you will need a WD system, even with your F250. The dealer is being honest with you, not trying to sell you something you don't need.

First, the "empty" tongue weight is likely to become around 1200+lbs once your loaded up. 2 batteries + propane will add almost 200lbs. Look at your reciever, you might even be over the Weight carrying capacity of the reciever once your loaded up.

At 7800lbs empty, you will likely be push 9500-10,000 loaded up.

And with a 32 ft trailer, yes you really should have a good a sway control system.

I will add only one thing to what ktmrfs has already stated so well.

Do not let the dealer try and sell you a "sway bar" (a brake pad with a crack handle knob) for a camper that heavy and long. It is the wrong application on a camper of this size. You want a WD hitch with and integrated sway control system. Reese Dual Cam, Reese Sway control (SC) hitch, Equal-I-zer brand by Progress Systems are a few of the better ones.

Often times "some" not all, dealers will sell the bare bone bottom of the line WD hitch and a sway bar. After they just sold you a $XX,000 dollar travel trailer they cheap out and throw in or sell you the cheapest hitch they can. Spend the extra few hundred dollars and get a good quality correctly sized WD hitch with the integrated sway control. Also to note, make sure the weight distribution bars are sized right for your "loaded" camper tongue weight. Not the weight listed in the catalog which is an empty camper weight and may not even have all the options you have on it.

Hope this helps

John