Best Hitch to pull a 1970 Ambassador with a 85 Ford F250??

[LucyPepper]

Hi,
We are finalizing the search, hopefully for our trailer. Purchased a 1985 Ford Diesel F250, and are wondering what the best hitch would be to purchase for pulling. I believe the dry weight of the trailer is about 5,000 lbs. The tongue weight is 450 lbs. We are also looking for used hitches..Is this advisable? Any advice on what we need?
Thanks!
LucyP

[CanoeStream]

You'll likely find that an Airstream of that period would have some sort of weight distribution gear installed. The bigger question would be whether the seller still has the spring bars and the associated hitch bar/ball to go in your receiver. 450 pound (no options, no personal effects onboard) hitch weight will not be too much for a 3/4 ton truck, so technically weight distribution would not be your most immediate need. But I'd use it anyway, especially if you have a topper and carry extra gear in the box. Rear axles on 3/4 tonners don't have the large capacity of 1 tonners.

Antisway of the period would likely have been a friction type -- serviceable but they tend to need regular adjustment. Again, would the seller have the parts? Antisway is a very important component to look for. Modern setups like Reese DualCam HP or Equal-I-Zer combine both weight distribution and antisway.

[SteveH]

Lucy,

If your trailer does not come with a hitch, you might want to check out Craigslist in your area. I see hitches for sale on there here frequently. They are usually in the RV section. Good luck with the search.

Steve

[jayray5]

Good chance the hitch will come with the TT. You gotta ask if they have it. You are talking old school with your TT and TV. I would get a WD hitch from craigslist or ebay. No more than 200 dollars.

[HiHoAgRV]

If you do the weights you will probably find a WD is going to be complete overkill for a lightweight trailer and a brute such as a F250. My '77 Ambassador tows great on a ball hitch as long as I don't have a huge load in the bed.

[SteveH]

For what it's worth, I disagree. It is my opinion the weight distributing hitch is well worth the investment, even if you were using a 1 ton truck. It's not so much the amount of tongue weight vers the capacity of the truck, it's WHERE that weight will be carried, on the bumper, which is about 2 feet behind the rear axle, and that is the problem with not using a WD hitch. The WD hitch as we all know, just moves that weight farther foward on the tow vehicle, and drastically improves the ride and handling of the rig. Unless it was a fifth wheel, personally I would not consider towing for any length of time, a 29' 5000 pound trailer without a WD hitch. But, that's just my opinion.

Steve

[HiHoAgRV]

That's why I suggested the weighing thingy
MY Ram CTD with WD sets the front axle very close to max weight rating due to the big-o-chunk of clattering iron under the hood. With nothing in the bed of the truck the rear axle has 'tons' of extra capacity

[Airstream87]

I tow with a 2000 250 crew cab and have a +/_ 45 degree Pull-Rite hitch which I absolutely love because there is no sway at all.