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Old 08-23-2016, 08:13 AM   #1
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Question F150 towing 25fb with Blue Ox ??s

Good morning everyone!

In 6-8 weeks we will be taking delivery of our 2nd Airstream. We sold our 16' sport earlier this summer and will be upgrading to a 25'FB twin. We are very excited.

Having read and reread many posts from here and other forums, I've decided to purchase the Blue Ox Sway Pro. I have read that the tapered bars should give the trailer a smoother ride, and also it's supposedly not as loud as the metal on metal sway control on the equalizer hitch. Those are the main reasons for my choice.

Finally getting to my question #1: which bars should I get? It seems most people get the 1,000lb bars. My tongue weight is listed at 837 and if I add in the generator (50) and a bunch of firewood (150), I'm just over 1,000 without taking into account any additional storage. One eTrailer video I watched said you wanted to be somewhere in the middle of the range, and this would put me over. But I also don't want to have too hard of a ride.

Question #2: HD Pilot in a similar post is experiencing difficulty getting the hitch low enough with the 7 hole hitch mount. My thought is that with the added hitch weight of the 25fb over the 23fb he has, that I should be fine with the 7 hole.

I should add that the truck is a 2014 EB 4x4 with max tow.

Any thoughts are welcome!
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Old 08-23-2016, 08:55 AM   #2
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Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new Airstream. Shiny = smiles.

The Blue Ox has provided us with good service. We wanted the softer TV to TT connection and are satisfied with the performance.

BO says go with the bars that best match the tongue weight. My personal opinion is that the bar choice is somewhat dependent upon the amount of weight you want to transfer, but with a 25, the 1000 lb bars seem appropriate. You could not go lighter unless the plan is to make an effort to limit tongue weight by moving the batteries, going with aluminum LPG tanks and never loading much in the front of the trailer or behind the TV rear axle. The BOSP hitch weighs about 80 lbs, so at a minimum you have over 900 lbs on the tongue. That is without considering the addition of any gear to the trailer or tow vehicle. It is possible that you might choose to go heavier, but you have some flexibility in the spring preload by going a bit tighter on the chains. It is my belief that you will get better sway control with that approach, but you should give Blue Os tech support a call and get their take on what is best for your application.

The shank selection becomes a function of the individual coach and tow vehicle. I'll be surprised if the seven hole is enough drop, but you really have to measure and tune the rig setup as you establish your travel weights. You could always use the shorter shank drop as logic to raise the coach with a set of 16's. Not a very good payback, but it would add some smiles.

Good luck and safe travels. Make a trip the the CAT scale to verify. Pat
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Old 08-23-2016, 01:28 PM   #3
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16s only raise the trailer a half inch, no?
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Old 08-23-2016, 02:48 PM   #4
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16s only raise the trailer a half inch, no?
Guess that would depend on what size and brand 16s you install, yes? Pat
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Old 08-23-2016, 03:22 PM   #5
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Not sure if this will help you are not but I have a Blue Ox seven hole on my Nissan Pick-up and to the top of the ball is 19 1/2" and I still have another two holes empty below on the Blue Ox that the ball mount can be adjusted down to if need be. Trailer is 18" at level, which works with this truck due to the amount of back end drop that the WDH does not totally eliminate.

I had Airstream install the Blue Ox and prior to purchasing it I asked about if I switch to a larger/taller F-150 as I plan to. Was told that they mostly install the seven hole and the longer drop would only be needed if the truck had been jacked up above the factory norm. Guess I will find out soon enough as I am in the process of purchasing a F-150.
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Old 08-23-2016, 06:27 PM   #6
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Thank you for the replies PKI and NorthernGirl!

NorthernGirl, what trailer do you tow? I need to get a measurement on my truck height as it sits, but I don't really trust anything being level around here. I figure there have to be at least a few folks with my same truck and trailer combo. Good luck on your new F150! We upgraded from a pilot with the thought of getting a larger trailer. I'm excited to see how it does.

PKI, Glad to hear your positive experience with the Blue Ox! I may just go with the 9 hole to be safe. It maybe should bother me more when my hitch drags, but I figure if something's going to drag, let it be the hitch. I think your reasoning on the tension adjustment makes sense, but I will give them a call and see what they have to say.

Thanks again, and if someone else has any input I would love to hear it!
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Old 08-23-2016, 07:17 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by NorCal Matt View Post
NorthernGirl, what trailer do you tow? I need to get a measurement on my truck height as it sits, but I don't really trust anything being level around here. !
I have an 04 Safari 22'. Hitch height per AS 18".

I personally would be reluctant to go with the the 9 hole as my current set up has the bottom of the Blue OX pretty close to touching down when going over any type of speed bump or large curb. Honestly do not think that receiver on the F-150 is going to all that much higher than current truck. As I said with current truck the top of the ball sitting at 19 1/2" without trailer attached and it still has two full holes on the Blue Ox I could drop it down further to if needed on the new truck.

Have you talked to the local AS dealer or hitch shop? Would be surprised if they had not installed one on an F-150 more than a few times - the guys in AS Seattle seemed pretty sure the seven hole was all would need.
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Old 08-23-2016, 07:28 PM   #8
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There was another thread on this topic in June were a number of F150 drivers shared their info.

Blue OX WDH on a F150
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Old 08-23-2016, 08:12 PM   #9
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Thanks NorthernGirl! I saw that thread, but must have missed the important (to me) stuff on the first read. Sorry to post another thread that has already been discussed!
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Old 08-23-2016, 08:39 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by NorCal Matt View Post
-- snip --. My tongue weight is listed at 837 and if I add in the generator (50) and a bunch of firewood (150), I'm just over 1,000 without taking into account any additional storage. -- snip --
Most folks would locate the firewood and generator in the bed of the truck. Unless you place it behind the rear wheels, this weight is not tongue weight that the BOSP spring bars must lift to transfer it. The hitch weight ~ 80 lbs for the BOSP including spring bars, shank, hitch head, and rotating chain locks is tongue weight. A lower drop solid shank will add a few lbs.

My apology for not mentioning this in the earlier post. Pat
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Old 08-23-2016, 09:29 PM   #11
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You probably already know this from my Thread but about the best I can do is 2" above the 18" AS receiver height. This would be with a full load of gas which affects ball height by 1/2".

For info sake, my 2015 F150 is a 4x4 with the Off Road pkg and no lift kits, etc.

I wish I could give you more info on how the BO is working but I only have about 50 miles on it. Friday, my wife and I are heading out to Colorado for about 10 days so soon I will be able to report how the BO performs at about 2" to 2 1/2" above the receiver height. If I have any issues, I will call BO and ask if they can cut off the bottom hole of the 9 hole hitch and send me an 8 hole hitch.

I also think the 1000lb bars would work best. They should transfer enough weight for F150 - you only want to restore about 50% of your front wheel well height change. My front rose 3/8" and with the BO set up for my first run, I restored 1/4" of the rise - over 50%.

I was not sure whether to get the 550lb bars or the 750lb and went with the 550lb ones.
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Old 08-23-2016, 10:33 PM   #12
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Thanks for the additional info PKI and HDPilot.

I usually do add the generator and firewood behind the rear wheels right at the tailgate. Easier to unload, though I would be willing to move them if necessary.

HD enjoy your trip, can't wait for us to start enjoying the new trailer!
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Old 08-24-2016, 11:36 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal Matt View Post
Good morning everyone!

In 6-8 weeks we will be taking delivery of our 2nd Airstream. We sold our 16' sport earlier this summer and will be upgrading to a 25'FB twin. We are very excited.

Having read and reread many posts from here and other forums, I've decided to purchase the Blue Ox Sway Pro. I have read that the tapered bars should give the trailer a smoother ride, and also it's supposedly not as loud as the metal on metal sway control on the equalizer hitch. Those are the main reasons for my choice.

Finally getting to my question #1: which bars should I get? It seems most people get the 1,000lb bars. My tongue weight is listed at 837 and if I add in the generator (50) and a bunch of firewood (150), I'm just over 1,000 without taking into account any additional storage. One eTrailer video I watched said you wanted to be somewhere in the middle of the range, and this would put me over. But I also don't want to have too hard of a ride.

Question #2: HD Pilot in a similar post is experiencing difficulty getting the hitch low enough with the 7 hole hitch mount. My thought is that with the added hitch weight of the 25fb over the 23fb he has, that I should be fine with the 7 hole.

I should add that the truck is a 2014 EB 4x4 with max tow.

Any thoughts are welcome!
We love our BO. Keep in mind that tongue weight always seems to be much heavier than any specs say. We don't carry anything out of the ordinary and we are up to 1100lbs.
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Old 08-24-2016, 12:14 PM   #14
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We have a 2015 FC 25' FB Twin and tow it with a 2016 Ford F-150 3.6L EcoBoost with the Max Tow package. We also use the Blue Ox WD system with 7-hole hitch mount. We had an ex-Airstream guy set it up for us. When hitched the Airstream is level (or perhaps slightly, slightly angled downwards towards the TV). We use the top holes of the BO and have 4 holes remaining on the bottom. No problems. It doesn't drag or come close to dragging. My Ford is higher than norm and I believe that is due to the Max Tow package.
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Old 08-24-2016, 12:39 PM   #15
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I've got a 2015 International 25FB and tow with a 2015 F150 MaxTow package and the 3.5 EcoBoost. The truck is loaded with options and I fill the bed pretty full so it's on the heavy side. I use a Blue OOx hitch with 1,000 lb bars and I just had the whole thing weighed. The total tongue weight was under 900 lbs. and the front axle was within 80 lbs of weight without trailer. Believe it or not, I have 23,000 miles on it is 18 months. There is now sway at all and everything feels rock steady. I started with 750 lb bars but quickly went to the 1,000 lb bars.
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Old 08-24-2016, 12:48 PM   #16
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Pay the minor difference and get the 1400# bars. Why? You will at some point go over on weights that you'll carry occasionally. I use an Equalizer WD with two friction sway bars. Adjusted correctly, you'll never know that you're towing - except when you look at your rear view mirrors!!
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Old 08-24-2016, 02:37 PM   #17
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I have a 2012 25 twin. Have the Sway Pro with #1.000 bars. In the past I had a Bambi for 17 years and went through 3 different hitches as I changed tow vehicles.
The Blue Ox is by far the best hitch set up I have had! Best part is not having to remove the friction sway bar every time you back up.
Good luck. You will love the 25!
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Old 08-24-2016, 03:45 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCal Matt View Post
Thank you for the replies PKI and NorthernGirl!

NorthernGirl, what trailer do you tow? I need to get a measurement on my truck height as it sits, but I don't really trust anything being level around here. I figure there have to be at least a few folks with my same truck and trailer combo. Good luck on your new F150! We upgraded from a pilot with the thought of getting a larger trailer. I'm excited to see how it does.

PKI, Glad to hear your positive experience with the Blue Ox! I may just go with the 9 hole to be safe. It maybe should bother me more when my hitch drags, but I figure if something's going to drag, let it be the hitch. I think your reasoning on the tension adjustment makes sense, but I will give them a call and see what they have to say.

Thanks again, and if someone else has any input I would love to hear it!
The best way is to experiment. No two combination ever the same. Your TV may settle a bit more under the tongue weight and the load in the tv. Start with the closest setting, set up the BO and measure the trailer. I usually find a level parking lot within a few miles. Pulling it a short distance b4 measuring will also allow the suspension to settle and you will get a more accurate measurement of the trailer being level or not.
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Old 08-24-2016, 03:54 PM   #19
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Similar set up to mine except I have a Ram 1500. I sold a lighter trailer when we moved up to the 25FB and already had 750 bars. So far the lighter bars work okay, but I plan on ordering the 1000 bars this fall. Current tongue weight is less than 900 based on a trip over the scales.
I think the 1/2 ton trucks match up with the 25FB very well so you should be ready to roll.
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Old 08-24-2016, 05:20 PM   #20
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Thank you everyone for giving your thoughts and feedback!

I measured my receiver height at a couple different, flat(ish) spots today and the bottom of my receiver is right about 18" off the ground. That puts the centerline at 19" which is right in line with HD Pilot's measurements. Again, I do have Max Tow, but not the off road package. Having loaded measurable loads in the bed, I'm pretty confident the truck will squat enough to make up that difference. If not, I will eat my words and purchase the 9 hole.

Urbanologist, is there any drawback to over rating your bars? My worry is the beating the trailer takes would be worse with those bars. I was contemplating going with the 1500#, but it doesn't sound like anyone with the 1,000# wishes they had the 1,500#. We are mostly using the trailer for 1 long weekend a month and a couple longer trips a year. Although my lovely wife does tend to pack on the heavy side...

Thanks again for your help, this is a great forum. I've only posted a couple times, but have been lurking for a couple years. It feels a little strange to stand up after hiding in the bushes so long!
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