F250 and No Weight Distribution Hitch?

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by Mgieselman

I don't see that as an option, on the Ford site I see "Trailer Tow Package - High Capacity" and "Heavy Service Front Suspension" both of which include "Max Front Springs".

Last September we ordered a 2017 F-250 diesel. I believe the heavy duty Front suspension is standard on the diesel however it will come with the standard rear suspension unless you order it special.
I decided not to go for it believing it would give us a better ride. It does for sure and at close to 2,400 lbs payload I have more capacity than I will ever use.

[OSIN]

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 bought into this marketing too. I've only pulled it about 2K Miles so far with a Weigh Safe Hitch. So far in pretty mild weather no wind over 15-20 Mph, i really don't notice anything swaying semi's passing or not, keeping speed between 55 and 60 Mph.

I ordered the truck for towing fulltime in mind. I have a 4X4 and it's leveled but have noticed some sag in the back. It's got approx 600-700 Lbs in the Bed.

My 1st step was to install SumoSprings, which really helped alot. took most of the bounce on bumps out, they are super easy to install on my truck. 10-15 Mins a side. Also no leaking like Airbags can do.

I have purchased an Equalizer WD Hitch, just as additional insurance, so I'm hoping with the WD Hitch and SumoSprings it will ride safer.

Note, I also saw big AS's being delivered from Ohio to California, on a straight ball, so I guess it's OK, I just want the extra safety margin.

[pickerdd]

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.

My 2017 F350 Diesel should be delivered to my dealer in the next 2 weeks and I was wondering the same thing- WDH or not? I currently tow with a 2008 V8 4Runner using a ProPride 3P hitch. I wouldn't mind doing without the PP hitch on the new truck, but I don't want to sacrifice safety. From what I can gather from the folks driving the new SD on the SD Forum the new Super Duty's don't need the weight distribution, but can benefit from sway control.

[djarrett]

I would never want to sacrifice safety. I do however wonder ... WD hitches have been around since I can remember. My grandparents had a 68 Airstream and pulled it with a 1972 Travel All. They had a WD Hitch at the time that resembled the Equalizer, plus a sway control hitch off to the side.

Seeing the Anderson sway control just made me wonder if there is better, less weight options. Keep in mind with the hitch and bars on the equalizer, you are probably adding an additional 100lbs to the hitch. IF indeed with an F250 or F350 you didn't need WD but could add the Anderson Sway chains only, I'd be seriously considering upgrading my F250.

Again as long as it doesn't in any way compromise safety. There are places that promote pulling 30 foot airstreams with sedans and minivans and I don't view that as safe at all but that is just completely my opinion. I've always erred on the up side of caution.

D

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by pickerdd

My 2017 F350 Diesel should be delivered to my dealer in the next 2 weeks and I was wondering the same thing- WDH or not? I currently tow with a 2008 V8 4Runner using a ProPride 3P hitch. I wouldn't mind doing without the PP hitch on the new truck, but I don't want to sacrifice safety. From what I can gather from the folks driving the new SD on the SD Forum the new Super Duty's don't need the weight distribution, but can benefit from sway control.

The rear suspension on my 2017 F-250 Diesel compresses exactly 1" under the tongue weight of 980 lbs of our 30' International. I consider that nominal since the 2012 F-150 used to settle 2.5" under the same load.
Payload of the F-250 is 2,360 Lbs, its a fully loaded Lariat Ultimate. Fully loaded for a trip it settles a total of 1.5".

[pickerdd]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

The rear suspension on my 2017 F-250 Diesel compresses exactly 1" under the tongue weight of 980 lbs of our 30' International. I consider that nominal since the 2012 F-150 used to settle 2.5" under the same load.
Payload of the F-250 is 2,360 Lbs, its a fully loaded Lariat Ultimate. Fully loaded for a trip it settles a total of 1.5".

Are you using any WD or sway with your F250 and Airstream?

[Dtrentr]

I have a 2017 CC long bed Platinum 4x4 dieseland tow a 27FB FC with a shocker hitch. Pulls great and since the truck is almost as long as the trailer I haven't had sway issues

[abone]

I have a '17 F350 Platinum Diesel on order for my '17 27FB and fully intend on continued use of my Equal-i-zer 4point. Moving on from my Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. It takes 20 min to set up so no big deal and can't hurt to have more load transfer and less sway.

[djarrett]

Originally Posted by Dtrentr

I have a 2017 CC long bed Platinum 4x4 dieseland tow a 27FB FC with a shocker hitch. Pulls great and since the truck is almost as long as the trailer I haven't had sway issues

Shocker hitch?

[djarrett]

Well, upon further research the Anderson hitch is indeed a weight distribution and sway control hitch.

It looks so much lighter in weight than the other options. I'm intrigued. Anyone else try one of these?

D

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by djarrett

Well, upon further research the Anderson hitch is indeed a weight distribution and sway control hitch.

It looks so much lighter in weight than the other options. I'm intrigued. Anyone else try one of these?

D

There were some discussions here a few years back when the Andersen was newer, not as many lately, so try searching the older stuff. I have one and the weight distribution works great, I assume the sway control works too but I didn't have any before I put it on. It's pretty simple and straight forward to use, it takes a few hookups to get used to. It's completely silent and has no problem when reversing.

[Dtrentr]

Originally Posted by djarrett

Shocker hitch?

http://shockerhitch.com

[djarrett]

Originally Posted by RandyNH

There were some discussions here a few years back when the Andersen was newer, not as many lately, so try searching the older stuff. I have one and the weight distribution works great, I assume the sway control works too but I didn't have any before I put it on. It's pretty simple and straight forward to use, it takes a few hookups to get used to. It's completely silent and has no problem when reversing.

Is it lighter to man-handle than the other WD hitches?

D

[SailorSam205]

Probably not important to the OP, but I came across an interesting post on another forum. Poster used a Sherline scale to measure his SOB tongue weight. His trailers advertised "dry tongue weight" is 488 lbs. He weighed it at the jack foot and got 760 lbs. fully loaded (propane, batteries and camping stuff). He is using a Hensley Cub which weighs 185 lbs. Then he took the weight on the stinger at the point where it connects to the TV receiver - 480 lbs.

That's 8 lbs under the "dry weight"! The added length the hitch adds also adds more mechanical advantage.

[OSIN]

After a few more miles from Las Cruces to Austin, I'd guess 650 miles or so, I did notice a bit more sway control, than with just the SumoSprings alone.

I set up as instructed, took all the measurements etc, and a barely (if at all) needed any Weight Distribution adjustment, I did more the side plates down one setting, as my initial setup (Per the Manual) was over correcting and checked again, So I guess Ford was pretty close on that point. My Guess is the Sumo Springs also assisted.

So after driving I think i'm pretty sold on the Sway Control component of the hitch, I installed a piece of tape on the rear awning, just enough to where i can see it with the wireless rear view camera, and marked a spot on the monitor. The rear of the trailer was steady, even in some 20-25 MPH winds across West Texas.

Right now it's a 2 finger drive, very steady, and with the SumpSprings, very Smooth too...I know, I know.

Note: Towing Approx. 10K Lbs. 2017 Classic

There is a SumoSpring Video on My YouTube Channel if you want to check it out, I thin k they are well worth the money, and on a 2017 they install in minutes.

https://youtu.be/EUdrbn77JKM

[djarrett]

I have a 2015 F250 now - what springs are those? (Weight rating option)?

[Ultradog]

I just don't understand people's fear of not having a WD hitch here.
I recently hauled a 7000 lb tractor from west central IA to Minneapolis on my 11K lb tandem axle equipment trailer.
Empty, the trailer weighs about 1700 lbs.
I balanced the load so I had about 1000 lbs tongue weight. (just guessing on that) My Chevy 2500HD rear end dropped a couple of inches.
So what?
I came on home at about 75 mph.
Have done similar hauls dozens of times and have seen similar setups on the highway thousands of times.
What is it about Airstreams that you have to have a WD all the time?

[OSCS]

I have narrowed it down to an Anderson or Equalizer for my 2017 F-150 EchoBoost paired with my 25 FT AS Flying Cloud. My eyes are bleeding from reading all the research and opinions on them. I'm curious to what you decide?

Stuart

Originally Posted by djarrett

Well, upon further research the Anderson hitch is indeed a weight distribution and sway control hitch.

It looks so much lighter in weight than the other options. I'm intrigued. Anyone else try one of these?

D

[dkottum]

We had the Equal-I-Zer and Andersen hitches. I thought the w.d. bars of the EQ far too stiff for our Airstream. The poorly designed Andersen was completely inept at weight distribution (not enough leverage in the design), but provided some sway resistance, not enough to keep us from being pushed around by wind and semis. Trouble is that sway resistance also kept the Airstream from returning to neutral. Big trouble on slippery roads.

For us, both a waste of money. We got a ProPride which performs all functions perfectly, allows us to open our tailgate, and the hitch head and w.d. bars and adjustment jacks stay on the trailer tongue, we only remove the stinger from the truck.

[Overloaded]

I would agree with dkottum, andersen just isn't up to the challenge in weight distribution or sway control.