I have a 2014 F150 Lariat SuperCrew with a 6.2L v8, 6.5' bed, and standard suspension rake. The vehicle is equipped with the Max Tow package.

I tow a popup trailer, which , at 3200 pounds GVWR, is well within the limits of the tow vehicle. However, the trailer has dual propane, and dual batteries up front, so the loaded for camping tongue weight is about 480 pounds. I've weighed it when loaded for camping, to be sure.

Previously I would tow the trailer with my "fun for camping" '95 Bronco 5.8L. And because of the shorter wheel base of that vehicle, and the minimal suspension rake, I found it to handle better after setting up a weight distribution hitch. However, the hitch height of the Bronco is a little lower than the hitch height of the F150 -- enough so, that I will need to reconfigure the WDH to maintain a level trailer tow. So I'm wondering if it's going to be worthwhile to bother with it.

...OR...

Perhaps I can just use a more standard ball mount with this more-capable tow vehicle, and do away with some of the hassle of hooking up the WDH every time I connect or disconnect the trailer.


For anyone interested, the trailer is a 2015 Forest River Rockwood Premier 2516G. It has the "Utah" floorplan, with slide out dinette, and front storage. I've converted it to dual-propane, dual lead acid battery, solar (or generator when running the AC).

 

It’s really up to you. Ford states anything over 500 lbs tongue needs a WDH. You’re not over that, but you’re close.

Id give it a try with a without, take it out on the highway, see which feels better and go with that.

I know a WDH can be annoying, but once they’re dialed it, it’s easy.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll take it for a spin to see how things go.

My WDH has been very well dialed in for the old Bronco. But still annoying to hook up for this one reason: Due to the configuration of the A-frame section of the trailer (the dual propane tanks, particularly), over-the-frame latch-style trunnion bar couplers weren't possible. I have to drop the trailer onto the WDH ball, close the latch, then use the trailer's jack to lift the trailer high enough to get the trunnion bar chains over the hooks on the side of the trailer frame.

In other words, my chain hangers aren't the type you latch with a handle, they're fixed position, and you have to use the trailer jack to release tension on the trunnion bars to get the chains over the hangers. This is because the trailer can't accommodate latching style hangers, because the propane tanks are in the way.

 

WDH can also help reduce sway. Assuming your pop-up is the typical single axle type, this can be a big plus.

 

Absolutely true. My WDH uses a side-bar for anti-sway. I also have an appropriate-drop ball mount with a side-ball for that same sway bar, so I can achieve anti-sway without the WDH if necessary. Anyway, it sounds like going for a drive is the first thing to do.

 

Yes, it is single axle.

I do have a WDH, it's just going to be set up at the wrong height since the hitch receiver is a different height on the F150 (higher) as compared to the '95 Bronco. I'll have to get to work on reconfiguring it. It's kind of a pain to hook up each time since the trailer has side-mounted chain hangers. But it's probably the right thing to do.

 

I also would try it without a wdh first. You likely will need a 5" drop on hitch, measure first.

 

Your choice due to the weight.
Me, I added sumo springs to limit squat when choosing no WDH. With factory tow package 53A.
I use the WDH with great anti sway built in for high speed driving but for 55mph & under roads, I don’t bother with the spring bars. Yup, I have to connect the ball, raise the tongue jack to be able to position the spring bars, slide them over, and then lower everything. A minor PITA, but worth the lack of sway worry. My tongue weight was 390# per Curt BetterWeigh 3 days ago when I hooked up. Trailer was about 4050# overall include TW.
Concur, avoiding using the spring bars and mounting the heavy trunnion assembly is nice and just using a basic drop hitch is so much easier on these old muscles
I have a fixed drop hitch but also one that is height adjustable using a wrench on a screw to get exact height.
I raised my TT by under springing the axle and replaced flat 1750# springs with 2500# ones for a 5000# pair. Higher weight and speed capacity Goodyear Endurance tires, too. So I had to adjust the WDH to level it out. It increases the safety margin on a single axle trailer.
I try real hard to stay at 65 mph but occasionally have to gun it to get around slow traffic or change lanes, hitting 70 and above, even 80 a few times! Tires are speed rated to 87 IIRC, unlike the factory supplied 65 mph limited CastleRocks, I.e., China bombs.

 

Separate tongue weight issue:
Standard lead acid batteries, even AGMs weigh about 65# each.
Standard LiFePO4 100AH batteries weigh 23# each, some 200AH weigh about 42#.
Plus you can run them down to near 0vdc without damage compared to SLA need to be kept at 50% or over to avoid damage.
And the LiFePO4 do not outgas, safe for mounting anywhere in any orientation, so can be placed further away from the tongue for even less tongue weight.
I started with one under the front bed and saved 42# TW, initially, plus the leveraged weight loss. Then I kept adding MORE POWER have FOUR 100AH now. So I traded 65# for 92#. Still far less than going double standard lead acid, plus they are about 4’ back towards the axle from the stock position.
LiFePO4s have dropped ridiculously in price since I started buying. IMO, well worth the current (pun intended) price.
Propane tanks weigh 37# full for 20# unit, 49# for 30# unit. I went simple and just swapped my single 20 for a 30.

 

I am used to WDH with smaller vehicles, same as you. The first time I used it out of habit, then last summer I towed my utility trailer 400 miles with a similar tongue weight, about 4500lb Gross weight, no WDH. I didn't even know the trailer was there. You're fine without it. As for the sway, the hitch you mentioned will solve that. I was towing dual axle, so sway was not a problem. I wouldn't even worry about the tongue weight unless you top 500lb, and even then it's questionable for a bit. My truck sagged maybe an inch when I had my trailer behind it.