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Old 07-23-2014, 08:11 AM   #1
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Do I need a WD hitch?

I've got a new F350 Turbo Diesel on order and we're looking for a used 27' Airstream. Some I've spoken to say I don't need a WD hitch....What say the pros?

Thanks
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:23 AM   #2
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This is going to get interesting very quickly.
Personal opinion, it could't hurt to at least have some anti-sway protection.
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:39 AM   #3
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I really agree with Awchief - a Reese Dual Cam could be picked up off of e-bay or Craigslist for around a hundred bucks and, at the very least, put your mind at ease that the trailer has a little help staying straight behind you.

Good luck with your purchase - be sure to read several of the threads about trailer inspection - especially the threads that deal with floor inspection, frame rot, rear end sag, and axle life.
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:01 AM   #4
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We tow with an F250 diesel. It came with sway control, but we still use additional sway control and a weight distribution hitch. It has been a very comfortable towing set up for us.
You will find plenty of other combinations and a whole lot of opinions on what is needed.
Good luck in your search for a trailer.
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:13 AM   #5
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We tow with an F 250 Diesel and I definitely agree with all of the above. As the saying goes "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:13 AM   #6
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The used AS will more than likely come with a some sort of WD hitch . You can try it both ways for free basically . We tow with a 2500 Dodge and only use the friction sway bar ,and have found it works just fine after 10s of thousands miles.
Good Luck !
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:59 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uptightto View Post
I've got a new F350 Turbo Diesel on order and we're looking for a used 27' Airstream. Some I've spoken to say I don't need a WD hitch....What say the pros?

Thanks
Towing a travel trailer, among other things, involves safety.

Towing a travel trailer, with just a ball, or just a sway control, is very unsafe.

Statistics say that you will lose control of that type of rigging.

It's just a matter of when and where!!

Hurting someone, or even worse, should you lose control, dictates that you carry a liability policy for at least one millions dollars, or more.

Be safe, not sorry.

Andy
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Old 07-23-2014, 11:23 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uptightto View Post
I've got a new F350 Turbo Diesel on order and we're looking for a used 27' Airstream. Some I've spoken to say I don't need a WD hitch....What say the pros?

Thanks
Can you get a PDF of the user manual for your new truck? Mine (a Chevy 2500) has a chart that shows, depending on configuration when WD is required or optional and if required, whether 50% or 100% restoration to the front axle is required.

My $0.02 - better to have and not need than vice versa. In any case, read and follow the manual. Happy camping!
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Old 07-23-2014, 11:40 AM   #9
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Is your truck a dually?
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Old 07-23-2014, 01:04 PM   #10
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When I tow my 17' Casita which has a 400 +,- tongue weight with my Dodge 2500 4X4, I use a weight distribution hitch with sway control because it is a better ride, better handling, and safer.

Could I tow it without WD? Sure. But, it much better with, so why not use it.

Would I tow an Airstream without WD and sway control? Yes, but only to move it from one parking area to another in the same park. Just my opinion.
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Old 07-23-2014, 01:52 PM   #11
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My F-250 has a decal on the hitch that says IIRC that I need a WD hitch for towing more than 6,000 pounds or a tongue weight of more than 600 pounds. Your truck will have such a decal. I expect Ford will still have a towing guide available online with the same info for your truck.
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:24 PM   #12
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You could drive thousands of miles without an issue. Then a condition such as a steep downhill curve in heavy crosswinds, with a semi blowing by just as a huge gust of wind hit the side of Airstream causing it to go into a sway, the extra weight of the heavy duty truck may not make a difference. Why not have the insurance.
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:30 PM   #13
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Sway control is a big plus but you don't need a WD hitch to get it. When hitched, my truck drops one and a half inches in the rear and raises one inch in the front. I do not need WD but I do use sway control. Jim
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:34 PM   #14
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Thanks Andy...BTW...I left my name and number with one of your sales gals if you get a 27' footer in....
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:35 PM   #15
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I'll be sure to look for the decal Minke...thank for the tip...
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:44 PM   #16
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Is there more to this. An F350 and a 27' Airstream seems like an odd match unless you need an F350 for other hauling chores.

Or do you plan on putting really heavy loads in the bed of the truck while towing the Airstream. If that's the case, you will benefit greatly from a weight distribution hitch with sway control. Research Hensley or ProPride to put any sway concerns to rest.
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Old 07-23-2014, 03:46 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
You could drive thousands of miles without an issue. Then a condition such as a steep downhill curve in heavy crosswinds, with a semi blowing by just as a huge gust of wind hit the side of Airstream causing it to go into a sway, the extra weight of the heavy duty truck may not make a difference. Why not have the insurance.
I see a lot of trucks pulling trailers here in the Northwest without WD hitches. That also may be true in other parts of the country. The attitude seems to be "We got a big macho truck, we don't need no stinking WD hitch".

A month or so ago, a very windy day, on a twisty part of I 90 on the Idaho/Montana border I saw one result. The trailer, not an Airstream, looked like it had exploded all over the Interstate and Median. The truck was on it's side. There were people around, don't know if anyone was injured, but who needs to destroy a truck and trailer, plus the personal trauma, for the cost of a WD hitch with sway control.

The margin of safety is improved with a WD hitch, properly set up.
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Old 07-23-2014, 04:25 PM   #18
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There's no more to this dkottum...I like diesel pickup trucks plain and simple. Do I need a F350 TD to pull a 27 footer? No...Do I want a F350 TD to pull an Airstream?...you bet I do...You think it's odd but I like the power, comfort and the peace of mind afforded by a tow vehicle that has more than enough oomph to get up and down mountain and desert passes. With regard to the WD hitch...I'll take yours and the others advise and pull with a WD hitch..Thanks for your help...
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:22 PM   #19
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Weight distribution and Anti-Sway are two separate issues.

With an F-350 Diesel, and a 27' Airstream, I seriously doubt you need any weight distribution. The Airstream might make your truck's rear go down an inch or two. If that.

Anti-Sway is a separate issue. Yes, you have a big truck pulling a small trailer. But if anything will get you, it would be sway.

Probably the correct answer is a good quality hitch with light rated weight distribution bars. That way, you get the benefits of anti-sway but don't beat the tar out of the trailer's tongue....if that's even possible with an F-350 without using one of those airbag hitches.

What year 27 footer are you looking for? For an older one, you'd probably want very light spring bars (if you're using a Reese or Equal-I-Zer), like the 600lb bars. If a newer one, they are heavier on the tongue.

But don't listen to me....I'm pulling a 34 foot Avion with a 1200lb tongue weight using an Equal-I-Zer with 1400lb bars behind a 2500 CTD Ram. I'm one of them other brands

Really though, you've got PLENTY of truck to pull that little twinkie! I've only pulled about 20,000 or 30,000 miles, but my opinion is that anti-sway is always a wonderful thing, no matter if you need weight distribution or not.

Truly, get you a Henseley or a Propride with the right spring bars and you'll be good.

See ya on the road,
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Old 07-23-2014, 08:09 PM   #20
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Smile

Well said, Andy! Sometimes I have to wonder why anyone would ever consider
towing without some sort of sway control, regardless of what kind of tow vehicle they
have.
For whatever it's worth
Larry

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In View Post
Towing a travel trailer, among other things, involves safety.

Towing a travel trailer, with just a ball, or just a sway control, is very unsafe.

Statistics say that you will lose control of that type of rigging.

It's just a matter of when and where!!

Hurting someone, or even worse, should you lose control, dictates that you carry a liability policy for at least one millions dollars, or more.

Be safe, not sorry.

Andy
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