Hitch Advice for Argosy 24'

[ready2move]

We are AS newbies...recently purchased a 1973 Argosy 24' and need some advice regarding hitch options.

The trailer's dry weight is approximately 3600 and the gross weight rating is 5800. I think the factory tongue weight is about 560, without water and additional cargo. We may replace the axles and upgrade the load rating if possible and advisable.

We have a 1999 F250 with 7.3 diesel. The pickup has a standard 2" receiver hitch, rated for 5,000/500 lbs. without a WD hitch and 10,000/1,000 with a WD hitch.

After replacing the trailer's old 7.00 15 LT tires with ST 225/75R15 tires, I experienced some light trailer sway until I lowered the hitch about an inch. I then towed the trailer home (without a WD hitch) at around 65 mph. The trailer pulled well with no significant issues, but I did experience some minor sway as semi trucks passed on the interstate. But, I haven't pulled the trailer through any curves or other challenging road conditions.

I'm thinking about buying the Pro Pride P3 hitch for maximum control and peace of mind. Is that overkill for my rig? If I do get the P3, which spring bars would be appropriate? If I find a used P3 with heavier spring bars, is that a problem or can I exchange them out?

Thanks to all the experienced Airstreamers for any advice or guidance you can give!!

Steve

[idroba]

There are lots of good and slightly better WD hitches out there. I am not sure you can get a truly bad one. Reese and Draw Tight have been around forever, both are good and I have towed many thousands of miles with each, and no sway control. I am very sure the Pro Pride and Hensley are good hitches, but heavy and expensive. I have, after 33 years of towing with a Reese or Draw Tight, just purchased an Andersen WD hitch which has a built in sway control as part of it's design. I think it is going to be a winer, but only have first impressions as of now (see thread on Andersen hitches in "hitches, couplers and balls" forum. It is nice and lightweight and moderate in cost.

Again, as long as you have a WD hitch you probably will be just fine. You will find that a WD hitch of any kind makes a vast improvement over a standard ball mount non WD. Your experiences on your initial tow where you had some sway are the worst you will ever encounter as you had no WD at all.

I don't think anyone can make the decision for you. Again, lots of good WD hitches out there and the 24' Argosy will not put a strain on any of them.

[ready2move]

Idroba,

Thanks very much for your helpful reply! I'll give it some more thought. In the meantime, I'd be very interested in any other opinions.

Thanks again!