Can Strait Line Weight Distribution be Used with Feather Lite Trailer  

Here is my previous interaction. For some reason the web site does not seem to provide for a continuation of an existing Question / Answer. the recommended setup Strait Line part # RP66084 says NOT for use on aluminum trailers. All Featherlite trailers are aluminum. The featherlite web site has the following with respect to weight dist hitches. Q: Will a weight distribution hitch work on my trailer? Typically, yes, owners can use weight distribution hitches. It is acceptable for holes to be drilled through the treadplate cover on an A-frame to utilize these hitches. I included two photos of the front of my model 3110 trailer, one from the outside and one from underneath revealing the type of beam the trailer utilizes which is a large U-Beam style like an I beam with half of the Is missing. So the new question is, Featherlite says it is OK to use a weight distributing hitch but the top plate has to be drilled/cut to accommodate it. That said, will the recommended hitch mount OK given the type of U-Channel beam the trailer employs? THE BEAM IS 6 INCHES DEEP AND THE LEGS OF THE Uinch ARE 1 AND 7/16 INCHES WIDE 6 IN X 1 7/16 IN. The following consists of my original question and the response. I have a 2017 F150 super crew 3.5 ecoboost with max tow package AND A 7,000 GVWR. I want to tow a 2011 featherlite 17.5 ft trailer 1,500 lbs with a 1964 Thunderbird on it 4,300 lbs. the combination will be 5,800 lbs. The featherlite trailer has a 7,000 LB, GVWR There is a sticker on my factory trailer hitch that says weight carrying max trailer capacity of 5,000 with a 500 lb tongue load and the sticker also says weight distributing max capacity of 12,000 lbs with a 1,200 lb tongue load. I have no idea why the sticker on the factory hitch has two types of capacities, weight distributing and weight carrying. I also have no idea what the trailer tongue weight is going to turn out to be. Does it look like I need to buy a different hitch from you to tow the trailer and the Thunderbird?? asked by: Paul W Expert Reply: The second higher capacity listed on your hitch is the capacity the truck would have if you used a weight distribution system installed on the trailer. A WD system uses spring bar tension between the truck and trailer to redistribute some of the tongue weight up to the front axle of the tow vehicle. This allows the weight of the trailer to basically be better distributed which allows it to have a higher towing capacity. I attached a help article for more info on this, but basically if you use a WD system youll have no problem towing the trailer weight you mentioned but without a WD system youd be over your capacity. The best way to pick out a weight distribution system is to base it off of the loaded tongue weight of the setup when it is loaded and ready to tow. This figure also includes the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle. I attached a help article on determining tongue weight for you to check out as well. You will want the loaded tongue weight of your setup to fall right in the middle of the tongue weight range of the system you use. Since your trailer loaded is 5,800 lbs that would mean youd have most likely a tongue weight between 580 and 870 lbs. Since most of the weight of your setup will be a vehicle on a car hauler trailer youd most likely be on the higher end of the tongue weight range. So the best system we offer for you will be the Strait Line part # RP66084 which has a tongue weight range of 600-1,200 lbs and features best sway control that works to fight sway before it starts. For a 2 inch ball you would want part # A-90 and for a 2-5/16 inch ball # 19286.

asked by: Paul W