Apples

A WDH is [insert your choice of words here] for trailers weighing over 5000 lbs and/or for tongue weights over 500 lbs.

Simnut

And yet, all the 2014 F150 brochures a WDH is required for MAXIMUM trailer weight ratings. So, do I only need a WDH when I reach 7500 for my truck?


Joking aside....the brochure for my truck says that WDH is recommended....NOT required for trailers over 500/5000lbs.


I also wonder sometime.....why does my bumper have the same WC/TR rating at the skookum hitch I have on my truck?

l3rian

The 2015 RV and trailer towing guide I have says

"Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight assumes a towing vehicle with
any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of 10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of
15–25% (5th-wheel trailer) and driver only (150 pounds)"

Simnut

He is talking payload, you are talking Max Trailer Weight. Payload is max GVWR less curb weight of the truck (plus all fluids). Has nothing to do with max trailer weight...really.

MagneticScrew

8100hd

According to the 2014 towing guide the hitch rating for your truck is 500/5000 WC and 1130/11300 WD. I know your trying hard to make it higher but it’s not.

Gladehound

Seems the WC ratings are the result of very little effort made to test various configurations. The F150 has lower WC ratings than the Expedition. Makes sense if you're testing a 2wd RCSB. Makes no sense if you're testing a long wheel base crew or similar. Ford has not made an effort to test different configurations so we are all stuck with a WC rating that Ford is confident standing behind with the RCSB. I do not know what configuration they were required to test for the WC rating. Structurally, if a hitch can handle 1,320 / 13,200 with a WD set up, it can handle far more than 500 / 5000 with a WC set up. It's not a structural issue. It's an issue of what rating Ford chose to test with a one rating fits all configurations mind set.

Back to ignorance is bliss. I used to routinely load my F250 receiver to tongue weights in excess of 1,500 pounds WC pulling 10,000 - 12,000 pound equipment trailers. The receiver was rated 500 / 5000 for WC. 14 years of that had no ill effects on the receiver or frame. A jury of PA contractors would have found that to be reasonable at that time. Maybe not anymore due to forums like this one.

Simnut

Ford has told me otherwise..... My hitch will take anything I put on it as long as I stay within my vehicle weight limits.....axle..payload etc. A WDH with my equipment trailer is only window dressing. For the travel trailer....a must.



Some Ford guides even say you need a WDH for tows under 500/5000 lbs. It's all about the control the vehicle has on the towed trailer. Yes, this includes keeping weight on the front end etc. I can do this by moving my tractor on the trailer.....no WDH needed. The same can't be done with a TT...therefore weight distribution is a must.



I'm a stubborn Dutchman...and when there are many inconsistencies in "statements" , stickers....and advertising...I like to find out why....how....etc. I believe I've done due diligence and feel comfortable with my findings and setup.

8100hd

With the inclusion of SAE j2807 more people are paying attention to the ratings more now days than before and rightfully so since it’s the drivers responsibility to know the limitations of vehicle they are driving. For what ever reason/engineering behind it manufactures set the limits and make it clear not to exceed them. Some limits maybe for just long term durability and warranty reasons, we don’t know because they don’t release test data. From a consumer point of view it’s best to educate yourself and to follow manufactures limits, it protects yourself and them as well. I’d be willing to bet if Ford set WC to 750lbs people would then push it to 1000lbs because they’ll reason an excuse of why 750 is too low just as we do now with 500.

8100hd

“I'm a stubborn Dutchman...and when there are many inconsistencies in "statements" , stickers....and advertising...I like to find out why....how....etc. I believe I've done due diligence and feel comfortable with my findings and setup.”

Yes you are stubborn and yes there are inconsistencies in documentation especially from Ford. The websites will say one thing yet the towing guide will say another which they really need to fix. Other manufactures seem much better with the consistency of documentation.