Weight distribution and anti sway equipment?

[kaosinacan]

We have ordered a International Signature 30 and will tow it with a 2017 Ford F250, and was wondering what is the best weight distribution hitch and anti sway bracket to use?

[Ronman]

Equalizer is a great hitch. You won't even know the trailer is there. Make sure the setup is proper.

[DKB_SATX]

While the Equal-I-Zer is not my personal favorite, I *would* recommend using one of the ones of that general class, that combine weight-distribution and anti-sway into the design of the hitch rather than using a separate friction sway bar. It just makes life easier every time you hitch and unhitch.

My personal choice is the Blue Ox Swaypro. Others swear by the Reese Dual Cam, though some say the old ones were better than the current ones. If money and weight are not concerns, the ProPride and Hensley hitches are much-revered.

The *MAIN* thing to do is to take your tow vehicle and trailer across a CAT scale to get whichever hitch you buy set up properly. THAT is the recipe for happy towing, having whichever hitch system you're using configured properly for your rig.

[PKI]

What DKB said ..... with one addition. Do the research and understand the reasons for choosing one or another before you decide. Use the search function and read the hitch threads. It won't take you long. Pat

[waninae39]

eaz-left has been working very well for me.
both weight distribution and sway control

heavier trailers should get two sway modules. lighter ones are fine with one

[switz]

Towed a 2012 25FB International Serenity with our 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI V6 diesel using a Hensley Arrow hitch. Kept the Hensley when the 25FB was traded in on our 2014 31' Classic which has the ProPride hitch (second generation Jim Hensley design) with a 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins tow vehicle. The stored Hensley Arrow is now on our 2015 23D International Serenity which is towed by the same 2007 Mercedes.

Have never had a sway issue with either design.

Both the 23D and Classic are in use for different events.

[MWBishop]

Dropping right on the ball our 2017 26U only raises the front of our 2017 F250 3/8s inch and only squats the rear 1 3/8s inch, therefore no WD needed. Drove 800 miles home in storms, heavy wind, and high traffic with no sway issues (of course there will be a little buffeting from time to time, but not unreasonable and expected). So while anti-sway would be an added safety feature, decided it would be overkill as well. Therefore for time being we are just going to drop on the ball and go. The AS tows like a rock behind our F250. So may want to first try without WDH, but it's personal choice of course.

[DaveMc]

My 2012 GMC 2500 manual says max 500 lbs tongue weight without WD hitch. I'd think an F250 would say similar? My 30' Safari has a 1000 lb tongue weight.

I just installed a Pro Pride this weekend, still getting it dialed in, went through an Escapees Smart Weigh yesterday to help me get data for final adjustments. I'd recommend to the OP to search threads on hitches here, and use some brand of WD/anti-sway. My opinion is that proper hitch setup that's backed up by scale data is way more important than what brand it is.

[wulfraat]

I'm picking up my '30 end of next week and plan to tow with an equalizer. Worked well for me towing my 25' over 20,000 miles ....

[MWBishop]

2017 F250 has max tongue weight 1500#s with 2 1/2" receiver.

[aftermath]

9 posts and all the bases have been covered. The most expensive hitch on one end to no hitch at all on the other.

I am not going to trash any of these bits of advice. I tow with a half ton so WD is not an option for me. I am also an Equalizer fan but I know many others like their hitches too. So, I am going to offer my advice taking all of this into consideration.

If you are going to get a hitch, get one with built in sway control. There are many good ones out there. Consider cost and how they connect to the TV. Some have chains, others do not. Some are easy to hook up and disconnect. Some are heavy and some are even heavier. Get a hitch that you will feel comfortable managing. Again, there are many to choose from.

Good luck.

[m.hony]

Have towed with an EazLift and an Equal-i-zer.
Both worked well.
Would get a ProPride if money wasn't an object...

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by waninae39

eaz-left has been working very well for me.
both weight distribution and sway control

heavier trailers should get two sway modules. lighter ones are fine with one

I concur

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Check the door post sticker on your specific F-250 for it's load limits. The generalized data on the various web sites can be a bit un-helpfull. It's not wrong, but it does not include the weight and options on your specific vehicle. It's not so much a hitch issue as a "how much margin do I have" one. That gets back to hitches pretty quick.

Bob

[AlanMcD]

Originally Posted by MWBishop

2017 F250 has max tongue weight 1500#s with 2 1/2" receiver.

According to the sticker on the hitch from the factory this 1500 lbs is correct and it is the same with or without WD. WD is not necessary with the new '17 Super Duties.

-Alan

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by kaosinacan

We have ordered a International Signature 30 and will tow it with a 2017 Ford F250, and was wondering what is the best weight distribution hitch and anti sway bracket to use?

I have had a similar combination of TV and Trailer. Experimented with three different hitches and the best considering initial investment and overall performance was the Blue Ox by far.
Trunion Bar WD hitches are less expensive and perform well however they give the trailer a very rough ride. I found out the hard way.
And pulling with an F-250 you don't need to spend thousands on a hitch, you have plenty of heft giving you substantial margin of safety.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by MWBishop

Dropping right on the ball our 2017 26U only raises the front of our 2017 F250 3/8s inch and only squats the rear 1 3/8s inch, therefore no WD needed. Drove 800 miles home in storms, heavy wind, and high traffic with no sway issues (of course there will be a little buffeting from time to time, but not unreasonable and expected). So while anti-sway would be an added safety feature, decided it would be overkill as well. Therefore for time being we are just going to drop on the ball and go. The AS tows like a rock behind our F250. So may want to first try without WDH, but it's personal choice of course.

A 30' Airstream has different dynamics than a 26'. It will wag the dog so I would say don't experiment use a WD hitch.

[USAtraveler]

Originally Posted by MWBishop

Dropping right on the ball our 2017 26U only raises the front of our 2017 F250 3/8s inch and only squats the rear 1 3/8s inch, therefore no WD needed. Drove 800 miles home in storms, heavy wind, and high traffic with no sway issues (of course there will be a little buffeting from time to time, but not unreasonable and expected). So while anti-sway would be an added safety feature, decided it would be overkill as well. Therefore for time being we are just going to drop on the ball and go. The AS tows like a rock behind our F250. So may want to first try without WDH, but it's personal choice of course.

Your trailer and TV are well matched for GCWR, so there is no need for WDH. The slight change in pitch can easily be corrected with airbags if it bothers you at all. Also, your late model TV has enhanced electronic stability control, so additional sway control would be self defeating. In your situation, I would not be thinking of adding the hassle and potential downside of a WDH & sway bar either. The OP with a larger, heavier trailer may not have the choice, tho. As others have warned, getting the set-up done correctly is absolutely essential.

[Dashwa]

Originally Posted by kaosinacan

We have ordered a International Signature 30 and will tow it with a 2017 Ford F250, and was wondering what is the best weight distribution hitch and anti sway bracket to use?

The best (and only except for Hensley) Anti-sway hitch is the ProPride 3P Hitch. Blue Ox, etc. are NOT anti-sway. Reason: you still have the ball hitch swivel point; therefore, the trailer can initiate movement side to side, which you want to eliminate. Only your tow vehicle should initiate movement, e.g., for a turn or when backing up. The equalizer bars will create some stability if adjusted properly, but they will not eliminate sway. You get a strong enough side force and it will sway and possibly fishtail. I tow a 30' Classic with a 3500 Duramax Silverado with zero issues no matter what the side force is.

[2012FB]

2015 2500HD, 2015 30' Bunk, ProPride. Been there done that with most of the others mentioned including without. Worth every penny and hassle for a relaxing, rock solid and ultimate safe towing in even the most sever conditions.