WDH needed for towing?
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WDH needed for towing?
I know this is a tiresome question. I'm a brand new to towing. I've been researching this off and on for days and each new post gets me more confused and unsure.
I've never towed before so I WANT to get a WDH but my bank account says no.
I need to tow my RV from Houston to Phoenix or I will keep incurring more lot rent fees and hotel costs (killing me!) but I'm a bit cash poor at the moment.
F150 towing capacity 7,900 if I'm reading the guide correctly. Tow package (not max tow though it has integrated trailer brake control). 5.0L, 3.55 gear ratio. GCWR 13,500.
Camper 4,500 dry/6,500 max. I don't have a lot of stuff and plan to empty all tanks. Tongue weight 540.
Can I get by with just sway bars? I won't tow often at least this year, just this one move.
Thanks,
Joel
I've never towed before so I WANT to get a WDH but my bank account says no.
I need to tow my RV from Houston to Phoenix or I will keep incurring more lot rent fees and hotel costs (killing me!) but I'm a bit cash poor at the moment.
F150 towing capacity 7,900 if I'm reading the guide correctly. Tow package (not max tow though it has integrated trailer brake control). 5.0L, 3.55 gear ratio. GCWR 13,500.
Camper 4,500 dry/6,500 max. I don't have a lot of stuff and plan to empty all tanks. Tongue weight 540.
Can I get by with just sway bars? I won't tow often at least this year, just this one move.
Thanks,
Joel
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 901
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From: PA
Go to a large local RV dealer that does a lot of hitch set up. Ask them if they have any WDH’s that were traded in when someone went to a larger trailer and heavier hitch. They’re typically willing to part with these for very little money. A solid simple use round bar WDH might be around $150. That is all you need given the weights you listed. How much do you have to spend on a hitch?
I’m not sure I know what you mean by sway control without weight distribution. I haven’t seen these?
I’m not sure I know what you mean by sway control without weight distribution. I haven’t seen these?
Thread Starter
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5 Year Member
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Here is an entire WD hitch set up, with friction sway bar, for $200. This is the setup I use to tow my 6000lb Kodiak.
Sorry, but if you can’t afford $200 for a hitch you are in the wrong game and should reconsider your options.
Lou
Sorry, but if you can’t afford $200 for a hitch you are in the wrong game and should reconsider your options.
Lou
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 304
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From: Durango Co
Joel, The Ford quoted towing capacity is pretty meaningless due to other truck limitations.
What does your hitch label say? If it is like most others it says 500 Lb max without a WDH. If you want the recommended 13% of the the trailer weight on the hitch and that translates to a max trailer weight of 3846Lbs Heavier means you need a WDH.
With a tongue weight of 540 then using the 13% rule your trailer should be around 4153. Using a 10% rule then the trailer should be around 5400. Less than 10% could be unsafe.
Don't forget to check your Max Load from the door sticker. Do that at the scales with the camper loaded then add the hitch weight to verify your Max Load.
Ideally it would be good to under all the limitations like, Max load, GVWR, Hitch weight, GCWR, and Max towing capacity.
What does your hitch label say? If it is like most others it says 500 Lb max without a WDH. If you want the recommended 13% of the the trailer weight on the hitch and that translates to a max trailer weight of 3846Lbs Heavier means you need a WDH.
With a tongue weight of 540 then using the 13% rule your trailer should be around 4153. Using a 10% rule then the trailer should be around 5400. Less than 10% could be unsafe.
Don't forget to check your Max Load from the door sticker. Do that at the scales with the camper loaded then add the hitch weight to verify your Max Load.
Ideally it would be good to under all the limitations like, Max load, GVWR, Hitch weight, GCWR, and Max towing capacity.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2018
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Here is an entire WD hitch set up, with friction sway bar, for $200. This is the setup I use to tow my 6000lb Kodiak.
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-49902-Com...YXL&ref=plSrch
Sorry, but if you can’t afford $200 for a hitch you are in the wrong game and should reconsider your options.
Lou
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-49902-Com...YXL&ref=plSrch
Sorry, but if you can’t afford $200 for a hitch you are in the wrong game and should reconsider your options.
Lou
Secondly, I'm just cash poor temporarily because of a recent move and new job. We're staying at a hotel and paying campground rent so it's one step forward, one step back until I can get the RV here. Down payment for the truck and RV depleted my available cash.
Thirdly, I didn't really ask your opinion regarding my life choices.
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First of all, I was quoted $500 which is what I was basing that statement off of.
Secondly, I'm just cash poor temporarily because of a recent move and new job. We're staying at a hotel and paying campground rent so it's one step forward, one step back until I can get the RV here. Down payment for the truck and RV depleted my available cash.
Secondly, I'm just cash poor temporarily because of a recent move and new job. We're staying at a hotel and paying campground rent so it's one step forward, one step back until I can get the RV here. Down payment for the truck and RV depleted my available cash.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
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Joel, The Ford quoted towing capacity is pretty meaningless due to other truck limitations.
What does your hitch label say? If it is like most others it says 500 Lb max without a WDH. If you want the recommended 13% of the the trailer weight on the hitch and that translates to a max trailer weight of 3846Lbs Heavier means you need a WDH.
With a tongue weight of 540 then using the 13% rule your trailer should be around 4153. Using a 10% rule then the trailer should be around 5400. Less than 10% could be unsafe.
Don't forget to check your Max Load from the door sticker. Do that at the scales with the camper loaded then add the hitch weight to verify your Max Load.
Ideally it would be good to under all the limitations like, Max load, GVWR, Hitch weight, GCWR, and Max towing capacity.
What does your hitch label say? If it is like most others it says 500 Lb max without a WDH. If you want the recommended 13% of the the trailer weight on the hitch and that translates to a max trailer weight of 3846Lbs Heavier means you need a WDH.
With a tongue weight of 540 then using the 13% rule your trailer should be around 4153. Using a 10% rule then the trailer should be around 5400. Less than 10% could be unsafe.
Don't forget to check your Max Load from the door sticker. Do that at the scales with the camper loaded then add the hitch weight to verify your Max Load.
Ideally it would be good to under all the limitations like, Max load, GVWR, Hitch weight, GCWR, and Max towing capacity.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 527
Likes: 91
FWIW my friend, get a WDH. I'm no expert but I bet you your tongue will be over #500 and you will require to use WDH base on the trucks manual. Don't risk it and get what you can afford. Something is better than nothing and I'd rather see you follow up with "Arrived Safely" than never to hear back from you. Safe travels with whatever choice you make 