Comparing Blue Ox, Curt, and Fastway Weight Distribution for Starcraft Launch Hybrid

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Question:

Hi, Im looking at three WDHs and cant decide which one. I have a 2015 Frontier with a 6100# tow capacity and a Starcraft Launch Hybrid weighing approximately 3500# dry. Manual says the tongue weight is 310#. Loaded with water, battery, gear, etc the hitch weight will probably be 700# on a heavy trip. The Blu Ox BLU65FR comes with a pre-mounted ball but my camper requires a 2in ball. Can that be changed and would there need to be special tools to do it? This one seems to fit my weight needs right in the middle but the ball size is wrong. The other one Im looking at is the Curt C17051. It doesnt come with sway control but Im willing to purchase if needed. Finally, on the higher price point is the Fastway FA92-00-0800. I was wondering your thoughts on each and could you recommend one or do you have something else in the $500 or less category?

asked by: John A

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

When it comes to weight distribution, tongue weight is the most important factor. It looks like you are ahead of the game and accounted for that with each of these systems, great job. I would still recommend finding your actual tongue weight once your trailer is loaded up. You can use a tongue weight scale like the # e99044 or the bathroom scale method to find this.

Starting with the Curt # C17051, I would definitely not recommend this over the Blue Ox or Fastway. As you pointed out, this does not have sway control and would require an additional purchase to add it. You are better off with the L style bracket system and 2-point sway control when compared to this chain and bracket system and a separate friction sway control.

That leaves the Blue Ox # BLU82XR and the Fastway # FA92-00-0800. Although they share a lot of similarities, I would recommend the Fastway. Both will do well with a 700 lb tongue weight, but you are assuming that is loaded to the max. The Fastway has a wider tongue weight range of 400-800 lbs when compared to the Blue Ox at 600-800 lbs. This means if you end up on the lighter side when towing you won't have a system that is rated too high, resulting in a rigid ride and bouncy trailer.

Another advantage the Fastway system has is the trunnion bars instead of round bars. These are typically easier to connect and allow for greater ground clearance when compared to the round bars that hang down. Overall, Fastway is considered to be the best of the budget friendly weight distribution systems, and is made by Equal-i-zer who is well known and specializes in weight distribution.

For a 2" ball that will fit this system I recommend the 2" Hitch Ball for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 8,000 lbs # EQ91-00-6080. You may also want the 1-7/8" 12pt Thin Walled Socket - 3/4" Drive # ALL643216 which is recommended for hitch ball installation.

expert reply by: Robin H

1

Answer 1

Hey Michael, we have the Draw Tite hitch part #76128 that fits your 2024 Honda CR-V that doesn't require any fascia trimming. This also is the 2 inch hitch size.

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Answer 2

I would recommend that Blue Ox TrackPro #BLU77FR simply because it does not have lift chains like the SwayPro #BXW1006. Both will do a great job but the TrackPro will have a little less movement because of the absence of drop chains. Blue Ox is a…

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Answer 3

I have never heard of a weight distribution hitch twisting the rear crossmember on a Jeep Wrangler. If one were to twist the user was likely not using the correct weight hitch or overloading his Jeep. For your 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited Sport I…

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Answer 4

The Blue Ox SwayPro and Blue Ox TrackPro Weight Distribution Systems are both great options. The better of the two is the SwayPro as this is their flagship system. This system doesn't use friction as much like the TrackPro so it will be less…

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Answer 5

As long as you are backing up mainly in a straight line you can back up with a weight distribution system like the Curt part #C17051 that you referenced. If the angle of the truck and trailer would get more severe than what you would experience while…

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Answer 6

The differences between the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW Item #EQ37120ET and the Reese Steadi-Flex Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 12K GTW, 1.2K TW Item #RP66560…

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Answer 7

The Equal-I-zer, #EQ37100ET, and Reese Strait-Line, #RP66084, weight distribution systems are both top notch systems that will get the job done for you, but I usually tend to lean towards the Equal-I-zer systems for a few reasons. First, Equal-I-zer…

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Answer 8

Hitch Extenders, like the Curt Hitch Extension and Reducer for 2-1/2" Trailer Hitches - 24" to 34" Long item #C45048, you were looking at do two things when paired with a weight distribution system. First of all they decrease your…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

The best hitch for your 2023 Jeep Wrangler is the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C13392. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Jeep with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a 3,500 lbs towing capacity, and a…

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Answer 11

Pertaining to the Reese Pro Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch #RE34FR, the head itself without a ball is about 20 lbs. The shank is about 25 lbs. The ball itself would be 3 lbs. Each spring bar is about 12 lbs apiece.

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Answer 12

Weight distribution systems that have 2-point sway control generally have sway control just at the ends of the springs bars on the trailer side. On the Fastway systems for example the L bracket that secures the bar to the frame bracket can be…

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Comparing Blue Ox, Curt, and Fastway Weight Distribution for Starcraft Launch Hybrid

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