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djarrett · 02-11-2017, 11:15 PM

I was watching an interview with the design lead for the 2017 F250.

In this interview, he states that due to the new box frame, that no weight distribution hitch is needed.

I am wondering thoughts on this and if anyone is using the new F250 in this way?

Here is the interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzbe...ature=youtu.be

Thoughts?

D

Mgieselman · 02-11-2017, 11:58 PM

I read the same thing and was excited until I hooked up my Airstream with 900lb tongue weight to my 2017 F-250, it for sure needs a WD hitch. Without it the suspension compresses significantly.

djarrett · 02-12-2017, 12:17 AM

Does yours have the HD rear spring package?

xrvr · 02-12-2017, 02:55 AM

How much does the front rise?

paddle whisp · 02-12-2017, 11:41 AM

I'd use a hitch for the anti sway controller for sure.

graysailor · 02-12-2017, 11:59 AM

As long as you are going to use the anti sway bars then might as well employ the WD also.

jcl · 02-12-2017, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djarrett

I was watching an interview with the design lead for the 2017 F250.

In this interview, he states that due to the new box frame, that no weight distribution hitch is needed.

I am wondering thoughts on this and if anyone is using the new F250 in this way?

A boxed frame is certainly stiffer. When the original Expedition came out, it used the pickup frame, but with boxed rails for increased stiffness. The difference was noticeable when driving the two vehicles back to back. From a frame strength perspective, he is likely right.

But that isn't the primary reason to use weight distribution equipment.

Imagine you are going to load 1000 lbs or so, equivalent to the amount of tongue weight you may have, in a concentrated load, into the back of a new pickup that isn't towing anything. You have a choice to locate the 1000 lbs 12 inches or so behind the rear bumper (where the hitch is) or up in the centre of the bed, between the two axles. It is easy to understand why of those two examples, the one with the weight forward will handle better. All WD equipment does is move the virtual load forward, exactly like in that example. You may not need to, but why wouldn't you? In other words, why accept the compromises in handling and safety by not doing so?

What the designer is really saying, IMO, is that he is a specialist on frame strength, and not loading and towing dynamics.

Jeff

OTRA15 · 02-12-2017, 01:03 PM

One function of a WD hitch goes beyond the static measurements being considered, and is the most important one IMO -- that of the rig in motion on roads which are not perfectly flat. As the road surface undulates up and down, and the combined rig of TV and AS reacts by Hobby-horsing up and down, the WD hitch dampens these dynamic oscillations. The complicated hitches like Hensley and Pro-Pride control this dampening in a serious way, but all WD hitches do it to some extent.

No matter how much static load the new F-250 will handle, dealing with the combined rig in motion underscores -- IMO -- that almost all trailers require some WD except for maybe the smallest at 16' to 19' or so.

And on this issue there are tons of other threads . . .

Good luck!

Peter

djarrett · 02-12-2017, 01:05 PM

Well, I was intrigued by the comment. When we had our airstream delivered, the guy that delivered it from Texas to Tennessee pulled it the entire way with no sway or weight distribution apparatus. He did, however have a dually truck.

I'm 54 and find there are things I don't like about distribution hitches -

1) Weight. My back isn't the best, and just moving the hitch to and from the truck when we arrive at home from a trip kills my back.

2) Aggravation of attaching. Dirty hands, getting sweaty before a drive, etc. No fun.

3) My wife and I cannot stand all the popping and creaking especially when we are arriving in a quiet campground. All the moans and banging sounds awful.

I just thought if what this guy was saying is true, it might save some of that aggravation.

I'm now looking at the (fairly) new Anderson weight distribution hitch.

Dog if Im gonna keep punishing my back like this.

davidz71 · 02-12-2017, 02:45 PM

djarrett,
Look for a used Hensley Arrow hitch and leave the stinger in place when you unhitch. To deter theft I have used a hitch tube and locked it in place. Yes, it takes some getting use to when backing up for perfect alignment but your back will appreciate it. Hensleys are expensive but worth every penny.

southsaglejim · 02-12-2017, 04:34 PM

I have a 2007 F250 and the load leveling hitch and bars makes my 32 ft Excella a dream to pull. I dont want or need more springs on the truck.

djarrett · 02-12-2017, 04:38 PM

To clarify, I have a 2015 F250 and a Equalizer hitch, which I love the performance of. What I don't like is all the things specified above.

What prompted the post was seeing the interview stating no weight distribution hitch was needed on the new 2017 box frame truck.

Im researching the Anderson Weight distribution hitch, as it is light weight and a new approach. I've seen the Hensley, but it looks like it weights a ton. I realize you leave it on the trailer, but sooner or later you're gonna have to take it off.

D

Overloaded · 02-12-2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djarrett

Well, I was intrigued by the comment. When we had our airstream delivered, the guy that delivered it from Texas to Tennessee pulled it the entire way with no sway or weight distribution apparatus. He did, however have a dually truck.

I'm 54 and find there are things I don't like about distribution hitches -

1) Weight. My back isn't the best, and just moving the hitch to and from the truck when we arrive at home from a trip kills my back.

2) Aggravation of attaching. Dirty hands, getting sweaty before a drive, etc. No fun.

3) My wife and I cannot stand all the popping and creaking especially when we are arriving in a quiet campground. All the moans and banging sounds awful.

I just thought if what this guy was saying is true, it might save some of that aggravation.

I'm now looking at the (fairly) new Anderson weight distribution hitch.

Dog if Im gonna keep punishing my back like this.

Having owned the Andersen, you may not like performance of it. Light trucks and heavy tongue weights don't do very well with this hitch. I don't know where you stand in this situation. I did a lot of things to make this hitch work. The only thing I did with any success was to deform the washers it came with.

djarrett · 02-12-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overloaded

Having owned the Andersen, you may not like performance of it. Light trucks and heavy tongue weights don't do very well with this hitch. I don't know where you stand in this situation. I did a lot of things to make this hitch work. The only thing I did with any success was to deform the washers it came with.

What about with an F250 (not a light truck)?

Overloaded · 02-12-2017, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djarrett

Well, I was intrigued by the comment. When we had our airstream delivered, the guy that delivered it from Texas to Tennessee pulled it the entire way with no sway or weight distribution apparatus. He did, however have a dually truck.

I'm 54 and find there are things I don't like about distribution hitches -

1) Weight. My back isn't the best, and just moving the hitch to and from the truck when we arrive at home from a trip kills my back.

2) Aggravation of attaching. Dirty hands, getting sweaty before a drive, etc. No fun.

3) My wife and I cannot stand all the popping and creaking especially when we are arriving in a quiet campground. All the moans and banging sounds awful.

I just thought if what this guy was saying is true, it might save some of that aggravation.

I'm now looking at the (fairly) new Anderson weight distribution hitch.

Dog if Im gonna keep punishing my back like this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djarrett

What about with an F250 (not a light truck)?

Nope not a light truck! I had a great experience with the Andersen towing 6000 lbs. TT with 1\2 ton truck. But then I had upgraded TT with 950 lbs. of tongue weight from a 8300 lb TT. I thought for sure I would wreck getting the new TT home! That TT was swaying so badly I felt as though buying new TT was a mistake. I got it home via back roads and lower speeds to start going though the numbers, the hitch and tongue weight. I had everything right but it would still sway. I ended up overloading the tongue weight ratings of truck by filling fresh water tank just to have some control. Three trips with this hitch I bought a Blue Ox for better control.

Weight distribution is Andersen's biggest weakness. With the 3/4 ton truck you should do alright. It is an easy hitch to work with, but it has it's own quirks. Nothing major but the plate for mounting the chains must square to the A frame and since you can't rotate it by hand you must unhitch and re-hitch the truck at the same angle or fight the system to get it square.

franklyfrank · 02-12-2017, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mgieselman

I read the same thing and was excited until I hooked up my Airstream with 900lb tongue weight to my 2017 F-250, it for sure needs a WD hitch. Without it the suspension compresses significantly.

I have a 2017 F-250 Diesel Lariat Ultimate with all the bells and whistles weighing it down, pulling a 2013 30' International with a tongue weight of 975 lbs. With the trailer hooked up and the truck loaded for a trip my suspension settles exactly 1" at the rear and the front is still 1" lower. My payload is 2,400 lbs and fully loaded I still have 500 lbs available. I had it scaled for the first time two weeks ago.
I hook up the WD mostly to level the trailer which I could achieve by raising the ball. Engaging the WD doesn't change the front axle height one bit. All it does is raise the trailer front and brings the rear axle to no load height.
(My 2012 F-150 Eco Platinum used to settle 2.5 " under the same load with the front up 1" over the rear.)
I don't believe the WD is really needed IMHO but I use it to help sway prevention. And here again Blue Ox instructs to disable the trucks Sway Control, so could I do even do without that ?
I will experiment with this some more to educate myself.

lucca53 · 02-12-2017, 07:04 PM

Hi djarrett this is what I use no bars no sag no sway this one is good until 10,000 pounds they make bigger check out online or youtube Air safe it has 2 firestone airbags you fill with a hand pump I mean this a no brainer easy on and your gone I am on my 3rd Airstream same hitch check it out....

djarrett · 02-12-2017, 07:25 PM

It looks like it weighs a bloody ton! Yes?

lucca53 · 02-12-2017, 07:35 PM

im 63 can still lift it no more than my generator about 55 pounds but during the travel months always locked on why move it it doesn't stick out to bad...

xrvr · 02-12-2017, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucca53

Hi djarrett this is what I use no bars no sag no sway this one is good until 10,000 pounds they make bigger check out online or youtube Air safe it has 2 firestone airbags you fill with a hand pump I mean this a no brainer easy on and your gone I am on my 3rd Airstream same hitch check it out....

I though those things did nothing for sway control or weight distribution. Did I read wrong?