Weight Distribution and Sway Control

[GhostCamper]

Hello; Last June I purchased a 2015 Rockwood High Wall Popup 276 from General RV and they had the unit inspected and ready to go when I picked it up. I have taken this popup out maybe 6 times last year. No issues at all I have a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT 4WD Super Crew. The ranger can tow up to 7500 lbs. but its recommended at 5000lbs The RV dealer is 30 miles away from my house and there is a trailer dealer 5 miles that will do inspections for campers since this popup has electric brakes. I called to make an appointment and the service manager stated that I make sure that it had the Weight Distribution and Sway Control attached when I come in. I said to him it is a popup camper it weighs 3200lbs dry. He stated that my ranger is 4600 lbs and my trailer dry weight is 3200 and 3700 max loaded he will not inspect it unless you have Weight Distribution and Sway Control installed. He said I am over the towing weight limit by 25 to 40 percent of my Rangers dry weight and if you drive out of state and get pulled over some state laws has very high fines and can impound the camper if one is not installed By towing specs I do see where he is correct with the 50 percent. But General RV never mentioned to me that I needed a Weight Distribution and Sway Control and they even knew what truck I was pulling the camper. So since it has been recommended that I should have a Weight Distribution and Sway Control installed, I found one the Equalizer. My question is Do I need a 4 point or a two point Sway. The ranger does have a sway control sensor in the rear tail lights. Can I get away with a 2 point. There is a $400 difference between a two point and a 4 point.

Thanks

[llr]

Personally I think that shop is wrong and would find another. If you want to use that shop I would ask them about the built in sway control as its they they will accept. FYI, never count on the built in sway control, if it is anything like the F150 it is a last ditch effort to avoid a catastrophe, when mine kicked in with my prior trailer I already would have side swiped anyone next to me.

[hockeytownmom]

Check your engine/gear ratios against your owners manual. Typically a WDH isn't necessary, however, I just bought a Rockwood pop up and I can definitely feel it while towing with my 2021 F150 (7200lbs rating due to engine and gear ratios) and the thought of a WDH has crossed my mind.

[Mike134]

Sure sounds like that dealer has no idea what he is talking about. (Not that you should believe what you get from the internet)

Do your own research your Ford Ranger being newer should have a label on the underside of the hitch stating at what weight you need to use a WDH rather than just a ball.

I'm confused about his drivel regarding the weight of your trailer vs the truck. If that's an issue sure are a lot of us in trouble towing trailers that weigh 50% more than the truck.

Safe travels

[jimmarako]

I am no towing expert. And as above said never trust some guy on the internet.

With that out of the way I've never heard of a "law" or "requirement" that you MUST use sway and/or WDH. Pretty much every state has something like a 2500lb limit to require brakes and if you don't that will get you some trouble.

Read your owners manual carefully. It may mention towing limits with and without a WDH. For example my Silverado 2500HD has two numbers listed They just happen to be the same "1500 lbs with or with out distribution". My wife's blazer only say "Max tongue weight 450lbs". As her CUV is a uni-body I'm not surprised no mention of WDH.

I found this quick towing guide from Ford. There is no mention of WDH. And while your Ranger is light, 750lbs max tongue weight is not all that much.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...nger_Oct15.pdf

Jim M.

[moose074]

There was a thread on this forum that was briefly discussing new law in Illinois or Ohio that area that was going to require WD