hmbjohn

I'm renting a 30' travel trailer that weighs 7200 pounds with a 655 lb tongue weight and the guy that I'm renting it from says that I don't need/he doesn't have a weight distributing hitch to tow this trailer. I have a 2014 Screw ecoboost 157" WB, what do you guys think? Will I be fine with just a standard hitch?

BRUTE448

I wood definately get a WD set up for this. you are over your max rating 500/5000 hitch trailer to not use weight distro. other will comment with more correct terms and options but NO i woodn't do it!

Velosprout

Yes, you need the weight distributing hitch. As per Ford 2014 towing guide: www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/14FLRV%26TT_F150_Sep11.pdf "(1) Maximum loaded trailer weight requires weight-distributing hitch."


Also, you didn't tell us which axle, engine, or tow package. Some 5.0 Supercrew long bed's only have 7500 pound max tow weight (3.55 rear end).

hmbjohn

2014 F150 XLT Supercrew w/ 6.5' bed 3.5 ecoboost, 3.55 ratio, 4x4, tow package. I looked mine up and its a 9,100 lb max tow.

boomer85

That 30 footer will catch all kinds of wind too and push you around. Get a wdh with anti sway

itguy08

I vote for no - the sag alone will kill you.

We just got out first TT and it's 35 ft, a little heavier at 7800 lbs/780 tongue and have the Equalizer hitch. When hitching up, I lower it all onto the ball before hooking up the bars and there is a good bit of drop in the rear. Can't imagine that would do anything good for your steering or stopping ability.

With the Euqalizer we didn't feel much sway at highway speeds of 65 and that is probably due to the excellent sway control built in to the hitch. I couldn't imagine not having that when dragging a 30-35 Ft sail behind you.

The F150 does well with ours - some pogo effect but other than that it tows very well.

I'd either find a WDH to rent or buy or find another trailer with a WDH. Sounds very unsafe to tow that trailer without.

Ricktwuhk

Been said numerous times - you need a WDH.

You are over the max that your hitch can tow (5,000 pounds) without a WDH. You are over the max tongue weight (500 pounds) that your hitch can handle.

Lots of threads on this forum provide more detailed information, but in short - No, you cannot tow that without a WDH.

PerryB

That much trailer without a WDH is a liability in waiting, especially behind a 1/2 ton truck.

11screw50

That hitch weight has to be dry, it is less than 10% of trailer weight. Add the propane tanks and battery on the front plus anything you load inside and the tongue weight will be more (generally 12-15% is what you are looking for so 850-1080).

With that much tongue weight, chances are good you will be over your rear axle rating. A WDH *might* help with that by putting some of that back onto the front axle and trailer axles...but it still might not be enough.

The guy you are renting from does not have your best interest in mind.

xcntrk

Look at it this way, you're not going to make it very far without a weight distribution hitch and sway control.

Maybe you need to look at other rental opportunities. I rented for the first season before buying our first TT and the rental place provided the complete hitch setup and adjusted the height for you based on tow vehicle.