I have a 2001 Ford F150 Supercab 5.4L Triton Off-Road 4x4, GVWR 6500 lb, towing package w/8700lb weight distribution, 4-pin and 7 way connections; I'm looking to buy a 21ft travel trailer, approximate weight 3150lbs. Will a separate brake controller be required? Will a weight equalizer hitch be required?

 

Yes.. you will need a brake controller.. you need to stop all that weight .. WDH will depend on your total tongue weight. If less that 500lbs when trailer is fully loaded no.

 

My state requires a brake on every wheel if the weight is 3k or more

 

If the trailer has brakes then just get a controller. They are like ~$120 for a Tekonsha P3. It will brake better and it gives you better control over the trailer. If it gets out of line and starts swaying you can tap the trailer brakes only and get it lined back up much easier.

 

X2 in a Tekonsha P3

 

Trailer brake controller definitely required in almost all states and provinces.


For a 21 foot long trailer, that sounds like dry weight. It will weigh a lot more when wet and loaded on the road. Guess at a minimum of 4000 pounds, which will be a tongue weight of over 500 pounds. So yes, you need a weight-distributing hitch too.

 

I thought it was over 5000 for a WDH? Depending of course if your trailer is well balanced. IE, if the wheels are towards the back, then yes over 4000 would need a WDH...


I'm going camping next week and I'll be weighing my axle on the way out with and without the trailer (just over 5000). But it sits nice and level, and the truck barely squats.

 

Some people say 10% of trailer weight and some say 13% = tongue weight .. the need for a WDH is over 500lbs of tongue weight. Personally I have towed with more without any problems at all..

 

5000 gross trailer weight
OR
500 tongue weight,
whichever comes first.
Most travel trailers have average of 13% tongue weight, which for TW of 500 pounds is max of less than 4000 pounds gross trailer weight.


10% TW is rare on a TT, and on the verge of dangerous. Common is 12% to 14%, and average is 13%.

 

Regardless of the legality in your particular state, I'd recommend going with a brake controller if your TT has brakes. You'll thank me by doing so. If you've ever been towing downhill toward an intersection, and had the light turn red and applied your brakes only to feel the trailer pushing you toward the intersection-you'd never run without one.

The Tekonsha P3 is an excellent controller, you absolutely can't go wrong there.

If nothing else for the sway control benefit it'd add, I'd recommend a weight distribution system with an integrated sway control component. Equal-i-zer offers a great, American made product that they back up to the hilt.

For more information about weight distribution, you can click this link:

https://www.etrailer.com/expert-91.html