Weight Distributing trailer hitch
 

Educate me. I just got a trailer for all my antics...

What does it do, how does it work and what is the best way to set it up/adjust it for my application?

Enclosed dual axle car trailer. 7000#GVW
F350 Dual wheel diesel.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3138377_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3904361_n.jpg

http://www.axpaddock.com/download/fi...=274&mode=view

Thanks,

KT

The truck weighs in at 6800#'s...

Rated to pull 15,000#'s


KT

What kind of weight distributing hitch did you get? Or are you asking if you should get one?

Bill

The trailer came with one.


KT

The one in the picture.
I need help understanding how to set it up and make the adjustments for best results.


KT

That picture isn't coming up...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1276298232.jpg


KT

With the 1-ton dually, you shouldn't need the WDH. I tow this rig with my dually. 12000# with about 2600# on the hitch pin. A DRW is much more stable than a SWR. The truck only squats 1-1/4" with the 5er on it.
http://www.ddturner.com/pict3355.jpg

That's what I like to hear.

The guy that sold the trailer to me used a 3/4 ton Suburban.
A lot lesser tow rig.

My truck is rated for 5300#'s in the bed.


KT

Not sure what year dually you have, but the 2005 model SRW came with a 6000# rear axle, and the DRW came with a D80 9000# rear axle. Totally different beast.
A comparable F250 is within 500# cargo rating to an F350 SWR. Neither can compete with a dually. I had a 2005 F250 supercab. With the 5er hitched, the rear squatted at least 4 inches until I added Timbrens. Still, it was like the tail wagging the dog as we went down the road. Switched to a 2005 F350 dually and all problems solved. You shouldn't even know you have 7000# behind you. Do you have the integrated brake controller? Have you weighed your truck? 6800# seems pretty light. My 2005 Crew cab is just under 8500#. My F250 gasser weighed 6300#.

The only reason you may something is for sway control. The link Capt Carrera gave you is packed with good info on that site for towing.

I have the 2001 model.

No brake controller yet and the trailer has four wheel electric brakes.
The prodigy controller was recommended.

I don't speed and give myself loads of room between the vehicles ahead of me.
The truck has really good stopping power as is.

I have only towed empty for about 2 hours so far.


The link that was posted looks informative. thanks!


KT

The prodigy is the best you can get except for Ford's integrated controller. I don't think it was offered in 2001 trucks.
It doesn't look like your WDH has sway control on it. It can be added, but from the length and height of the trailer, you shouldn't need it.

You'll love trailer brakes more than that hitch....

We have brakes on ALL our trailers... Its about the best thing since sliced bread....

Mmmm bread...


KT

Mmm... Trailer brakes...

I just bought a P-3 from etrailer.com Ordered Sunday, had it Wednesday.

First adjust the tongue weight, then ball height. Even though you don't 'need' a weight dist hitch, as your tow vehicle has a rather large safety margin, I find it tows better, less sway, and it transfers some weight to the front wheels so it will stop better in the rain. If you think about the forces when braking, trailer loads tongue even more, pushes down rear, raises front(less force downward on front wheels)

I enjoyed the weight distributing hitch for the short time I had it. That trailer was stolen, and my other trailers aren't equipped.

I could be wrong, but weight at a receiver hitch has a higher effect on a truck than weight on a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. While you can get away with 2500 lb of weight on a fifth-wheel hitch, you'll be really pushing it on a receiver hitch.

Absolutely correct. A factory receiver hitch on an F350 won't handle 2500# tongue weight. You can buy one that does, but they are pricey.

I stand corrected on my earlier post. The truck can handle it, but you'll be over the hitch ratings.
I just went out to check the numbers on my factory receiver hitch. Here they are. I can use 2" or 2.5" receivers.

2" receiver with WDH max gross trailer weight is 12500#, max tongue weight is 1250#.

2" receiver without WDH max gross trailer weight is 5000#, max tongue weight is 500#.

2.5" receiver with WDH max gross trailer weight is 15000#, max tongue weight is 1500#.

2.5" receiver without WDH max gross trailer weight is 6000#, max tongue weight is 600#.

Check your tongue weight. It is likely over the 500# max rating. Looks like you'll need the WDH to be safe.