Ready to buy Weight Distribution System

[Okiestreamer]

Just installed new axles and shocks and tires are in good shape. We are now ready to buy a weight distribution system for a ’09 F150 Towing a 31’ 1974 AS. My AS service manual says the curb tongue weight is 490#. Not sure what “curb” weight means but I’m assuming it does not include two LP bottles at 75# each and today’s furniture weights that replace the Gaucho up front. I’m thinking I need 1000 lb spring bars. I’d love to hear from anyone towing a 28’-31’ AS and what brand and size weight distribution system you use that you are satisfied with or that you would recommend.

[Kyle401]

I was using a '04 Silverado crew cab with 1000 lb bars to tow the 1969 Overlander last season. I traded for an '07 Yukon XL and am changing to 600 lb bars this season since I thought the ride was too harsh. The 1000 lb bars were not noticeably flexed, but the combination was stable.

My recommendation would be to use 600 or 800 lb bars.

[Aviator]

We tow our 34' with an F150 using a ProPride hitch system. Originally we had a basic Reese and that didn't do the job for us. With the ProPride it is a fingertip driving experience. If we ever get a second Airstream, I will buy a second ProPride as well.

[RUMSHIP]

Originally Posted by Kyle401

I was using a '04 Silverado crew cab with 1000 lb bars to tow the 1969 Overlander last season. I traded for an '07 Yukon XL and am changing to 600 lb bars this season since I thought the ride was too harsh. The 1000 lb bars were not noticeably flexed, but the combination was stable.

My recommendation would be to use 600 or 800 lb bars.

Sounds about right to me. I'd lean towards 800 lbs.

[overlander64]

Greetings ASRookie!

Originally Posted by ASRookie

Just installed new axles and shocks and tires are in good shape. We are now ready to buy a weight distribution system for a ’09 F150 Towing a 31’ 1974 AS. My AS service manual says the curb tongue weight is 490#.

The figure that you mention is the base tongue weight prior to the addition of options, accessories, no fluids (LP/Fresh Water/Waste Water), and no personal property/supplies. I suspect that your actual tongue weight will approach 750 to as much as 800 pounds. The tongue weight on my '64 Overlander when ready to travel is 750 to 775 pounds depending upon the particular voyage. When I towed with 1/2-ton vehicles, I utilized the same hitch that I do with my 3/4-ton suburban -- Reese Strait-Line Hitch with 600 pound weight distribution bars and the Dual Cam Sway Control. This system has given my Overlander a smooth ride and the 600 pound weight distribution bars are far from overloaded with the heavy springing of a truck-based tow vehicle . . . I utilize 800 pound weight distribution bars when towing with my '75 Cadillac Eldorado.

I did tow my Overlander for the first two years with 800 pound weight distribution bars . . . far too stiff for the 750 pound tongue weight. The 800 pound bars induced numerous popped rivets as well as a crack in the interior aluminum above the entry door. All problems with popped rivets and stress fractures disappeared when I switched to the 600 pound weight distribution bars.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[rbs]

We are very comfortable recommending Pro Pride. We purchased our Airstream a little over a year ago (25' Classic) and had to pull it 800 miles home. Strong cross winds and turbulance caused by semi's convinced us to look for a more stable setup. Our research led to purchasing the Pro Pride. You deal directly with Sean Woodruff, owner, went with his recommendation, 1000 lb bars. Sean offered to send the 1400 bars also, but after a couple of tweaking adjustments, we are totally satisfied with our current setup. The Airstream pulls like a dream, very steady in all conditions, and a smooth ride. It is a little more money up front, but difference in the way that it pulls makes you forget about it. Sean is a super nice guy, 100% commited to his customers.

[slicer]

I am new to the forum. I bought a Pro-Pride to pull my trailer after reading many positive recommendations. Unfortunatly my experience was not so great. The hitch did not work for me. One of the WD jacks continued to break loose during several trial runs. I contacted Sean and requested a refund per his "money back guarantee. This was in Sept of last year. He has refused to return any calls, e-mails or letters. With that said, the hitch is sitting in my garage, reboxed, ready for shipment back to Pro-Pride. If anyone is interested in buying it let me know. It has the 1400lb bars.

[iowaroots]

With all the positives I read here about the ProPride and Mr. Woodruff surely he will make it right with you. Something doesn't make sense.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Earthcreeper

With all the positives I read here about the ProPride and Mr. Woodruff surely he will make it right with you. Something doesn't make sense.

X2!!



Bob

[mefly2]

PP or HA if it fits your budget... otherwise, most quality WD will more than suffice. We have the EQ brand because of all US made materials and labor. YMMV

[2 Cowboys]

Howdy Y'all,

We just bought a new (to us) truck & realized that it sits 5"-6" higher than our old truck. So now we're shopping for a new WD hitch. We've settled on the Blue Ox, as it was recommended by a fellow retired, Full-time AS owner. So what we're researching now is all of this "popped rivets" talk we keep hearing about. Did we buy too much truck? And we're not about to change trucks now, so how do we adapt?
It's a 2011 Ram 3500 4x4 quad cab w/8' box. A HUGE step up from the 1998 Chevy 1500 we've used to pull our 1979, 31' AS for the past year.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by slicer

I am new to the forum. I bought a Pro-Pride to pull my trailer after reading many positive recommendations. Unfortunatly my experience was not so great. The hitch did not work for me. One of the WD jacks continued to break loose during several trial runs. I contacted Sean and requested a refund per his "money back guarantee. This was in Sept of last year. He has refused to return any calls, e-mails or letters. With that said, the hitch is sitting in my garage, reboxed, ready for shipment back to Pro-Pride. If anyone is interested in buying it let me know. It has the 1400lb bars.

Something tells me there's another side to this story.

doug k

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by 2 Cowboys

Howdy Y'all,

We just bought a new (to us) truck & realized that it sits 5"-6" higher than our old truck. So now we're shopping for a new WD hitch. We've settled on the Blue Ox, as it was recommended by a fellow retired, Full-time AS owner. So what we're researching now is all of this "popped rivets" talk we keep hearing about. Did we buy too much truck? And we're not about to change trucks now, so how do we adapt?
It's a 2011 Ram 3500 4x4 quad cab w/8' box. A HUGE step up from the 1998 Chevy 1500 we've used to pull our 1979, 31' AS for the past year.

Some are using a Airsafe hitch in front of their weight distribution hitch to soften the ride . . .

Receiver Hitch, Hitches | Trailer Hitch, Hitches

doug k

[RUMSHIP]

Originally Posted by 2 Cowboys

Howdy Y'all,

We just bought a new (to us) truck & realized that it sits 5"-6" higher than our old truck. So now we're shopping for a new WD hitch. We've settled on the Blue Ox, as it was recommended by a fellow retired, Full-time AS owner. So what we're researching now is all of this "popped rivets" talk we keep hearing about. Did we buy too much truck? And we're not about to change trucks now, so how do we adapt?
It's a 2011 Ram 3500 4x4 quad cab w/8' box. A HUGE step up from the 1998 Chevy 1500 we've used to pull our 1979, 31' AS for the past year.

It's not the truck. It depends on what size bars you have. That size truck would use 600# or 800# bars I would think.

[2 Cowboys]

Ok, good to know. I'll check w/my Husband & see what he ordered.