coyb

Do I need to add a trailer hitch on my 2017 F150 since it has a towing package?

old_programmer

The hitch receiver is part of the tow pkg. You will need a hitch shank and ball to go into the receiver. This is part of the equipment included in a WDH pkg or are bought separately when not using a WDH.

chimmike

Uh. have you looked back there yet?

Bluewoo

If you have the Tow Package or not your new f150 should have a hitch from the factory. Do you have a factory brake controller?

bisjoe

smokeywren

Hi coyb, and welcome to our campfire,

Your new Lariat has a receiver hitch, but you cannot tow a trailer with just a receiver. You need a weight-carrying (WC) shank and ball mount or a weight-distributing (WD) hitch. So if you want to tow a trailer, you have to buy a WC hitch to tow a small trailer with less than 500 pounds tongue weight (TW), or a WD hitch to tow a trailer with more than 500 pounds TW.

Here is a link to a simple WC hitch that slides into your receiver:.
https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/C45036.html

And here is a link to a good WD hitch for max TW of 1,000 pounds:
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...x/BXW1000.html

If you buy a WD hitch, DO NOT buy a cheap hitch. Cheap WD hitches may do a decent job of weight distribution, but they have inadequate sway control/prevention. Good WD hitches with good built-in sway control/prevention include the Blue Ox SwayPro linked to above, as well as the Equal-I-Zer E4, Reese Strait-Line, and Husky Centerline HD 31390. Reese and Husky both make cheap WD hitches as well as the good ones, so pay attention to details if you buy a Reese or Husky WD hitch.

chimmike

If somebody needs to be told this....there's a lot more they need to learn and understand before they are likely to be safe towing anything on public roads with other people.

smokeywren

Agree. He asked about a hitch, and I tried to respond to his question. You're welcome to reply to his question with a lot more.

chimmike

you're assuming he'll even come back, lol

BigDozer66

OP has left the building!