Do I need a WD hitch for my TV?

[Argy 78]

I have a 04 F-150 with air bag lifts that I use when I pull my 30' boat. I was wondering if I need to have a weight distribution hitch to pull my 27' Argosy or will I be OK if I use what I have?

Argy 78

[LI Pets]

Do you have life insurance?

If you say no then you don't need them.

Yes get them.

[TBRich]

I'm certainly no expert on this and I'm sure others who know more will reply, but I personally would not feel comfortable towing our little 19' Bambi without a weight distribution anti-sway hitch...chances are your Argosy is heavier than your boat...and that will make a big difference...

TB

[Kajtek1]

I think I've seen a rule of thumb somewhere in the past.
If the TV hitch drops more than 3" under the trailer weight, you need WD.
If less, it is optional.
Than everything lays in details.

[2airishuman]

hi kajtek1 and others...

the problems with this 3 inch rule are many...

first the o.p. has airbags on the truck which will mask the drop...

next this guideline makes no mention of the front end which is really WHY we need w/d...

to reload the front axle.

also the rule doesn't suggest if the drop from other payload is part of this...

and so on.

4 me it is all about measuring axle loads and the tongue weight.

next biggie, is the issue of 'is it ok to use w/d with airbags' ?

many will say NO that's not good, while others do it and are happy.

the point is the o.p. needs to know how much the tongue weighs..

and how much the ft/rr truck axles weigh, before and after hitching up...

sure most of us would want sway control as well, but w/d and sway control are not combined on all hitches...

yes, more details are needed.

here's a thread that might help the o.p. understand the need to get measurements...

and if not, at least some of the posts are funny...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...-ii-21000.html

and the first part of toasty's story...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...-do-21015.html

cheers
2air'

[2airishuman]

looks like the same question/post is in 2 threads...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...-tv-39172.html

that doesn't improve your chance of good replies, since one will bump the other downward...

suggest you contact a mod and combine these into ONE thread...

don't sweat it many folks have done this b4 ya...

cheers
2air'