F350 and equalizer hitch

[ksteve06]

Anyone out there with a 2017 F350 using an equalizer hitch. Just wondering if it's overkill or not.

[sandollars]

An equalizer hitch is never an overkill. I used one on my 3500 and a toy hauler.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Unlike some trucks, the 250 / 350 are just as happy from the truck side with a normal hitch as with a WD hitch. That's no guarantee that *you* will be happy with the combo. You may not *need* the WD part of the hitch. I'd suggest that the anti sway part of it is well worth having. You certainly will be happier with the WD than you will without so why not get both.

Bob

[thoreau2104]

I don't have a ford but I have a gmc 3500 duramax and
use an equalizer and feel very comfortable with it. It is certainly not overkill. And if you are like me traveling with wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs with golf cart, firewood, grill, pop up, table, etc the wight adds up quick.

[Moflash]

I have a 2017 F350 SuperCrew Platinum 8ft box srw.I transferred my Equilizer 4 point hitch from my previous 2015 F350 and 2012 F350.
Works great but I will also add that I have it mounted to a AirSafe hitch which makes a huge difference in how the trailer rides.I would not change a thing on this setup.The 2017 is as smooth and quiet as most passenger cars.

[dkottum]

At the least, it can help you keep control of the truck if something happens alongside or in front of you and you have to brake and change lanes real quickly. More so if it happens going down a steeper grade and your Airstream decides it wants to be in front of your truck.

[Adiredneck]

Moflash: Do you find that your AirSafe binds at all when under pressure from the Equalizer with bars in place? I've noticed recently that if I inflate/deflate the air bag while the hitch weight is down on the bars, the AirSafe kind of moves in fits and spurts - like it is binding due to the forward pressure of the WD torsion. Have you ever noticed this? Like you, I love the ride and handling I get from the combination, but I'm wondering if I might have too much force on the Equalizer bars given the extra leverage generated from having the Equlaizer mounted on the rear of the AirSafe...

Tim

[paiceman]

We run the Equalizer on our F350 6.7 Crew short 6'9" bed towing a 2017 Classic. Also towed two 30' FC with same hitch. We like it, we believe it helps with sway.

Bud

[ksteve06]

Thanks for all the replies, for those that have electronic sway built into the truck do you turn that function off while using the equalizer hitch.

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by Moflash

I have a 2017 F350 SuperCrew Platinum 8ft box srw.I transferred my Equilizer 4 point hitch from my previous 2015 F350 and 2012 F350.
Works great but I will also add that I have it mounted to a AirSafe hitch which makes a huge difference in how the trailer rides.I would not change a thing on this setup.The 2017 is as smooth and quiet as most passenger cars.

Same here, we have a '14 F350, Airsafe and Equilizer. Heavier than #### but effective.

[Monza]

Airsafe hitches, humm another toe- hitch debate item? Looks interesting never heard of them before this thread. Just when you think you figure it all out along comes another thing to consider.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by ksteve06

Thanks for all the replies, for those that have electronic sway built into the truck do you turn that function off while using the equalizer hitch.

Hi

I just put mine into Tow/Haul mode and move on down the road. I do have the basic trailer setup programmed in. I have not yet done the thing with the sticker and the rear camera for trailer control.

Bob

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by ksteve06

Anyone out there with a 2017 F350 using an equalizer hitch. Just wondering if it's overkill or not.

Depends. What are you towing???

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Depends. What are you towing???

Hi

Even the 350 might be under spec if you are towing this and trying to load that into the bed. The real answer is just about always "that depends". A 72' custom Airstream probably isn't going to work very well with a lot of hitches.

Bob

[steverino]

Originally Posted by ksteve06

Anyone out there with a 2017 F350 using an equalizer hitch. Just wondering if it's overkill or not.

My opinion, the stiff F350 suspension may cause stresses in some specific situations.

Here's some fresh data on this - I have run an equalizer hitch with great results on my 27FB with a 2010 F250. I just replaced the F250 with a 2017 F350.

As the F350 is taller, I replaced the shank with one with a bigger drop, in order to keep the trailer level. Lowering the trailer on the ball, the rear end lowered 2", and the front raised 1/4" at most. This offset some, but not all, of the truck's built-in rake, resulting in close to level. At least closer to level than an unloaded truck.

A test drive without WD or sway was nice, solid, stable.

Applying the same relatively mild WD I had on the F250 had little effect on the truck's front and rear ride height. 2nd test drive, with WD, had no discernible difference.

The surprise was this: my storage yard is at the top of a short road with an 8 degree climb. The climb comes on suddenly (from a relatively flat intersection right into the grade), much more severe than going up a driveway. Once backed into my space, I noticed that the top left edge of the front storage hatch was binding slightly in its frame; this was not happening before. I suspect that the bind was due to the stress going up that transition. Once I released the WD bars and unhitched, the bind released, but it was an indication that stress was occurring briefly, probably due to the transition of level ground to the 8 degree grade.

At this point, I will either dial back the WD even more - all I am trying to do is to get some friction for sway control out of the hitch - or more likely abandon the WD completely. The truck does not need it.

Yea I know - proof is in the CAT scale; I'll run the configs over a scale sometime, but I do not expect to see much difference between WD and non-WD configs with this truck. The fact that WD moves the suspension so little, with a heavy diesel engine on the front end, indicates that the steer axle is not getting unloaded very much at all.

Those of you who do not need to drive over such a steep transition, may not see any ill effects with WD. But, a word of caution for those who do.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by steverino

My opinion, the stiff F350 suspension may cause stresses in some specific situations.

Here's some fresh data on this - I have run an equalizer hitch with great results on my 27FB with a 2010 F250. I just replaced the F250 with a 2017 F350.

As the F350 is taller, I replaced the shank with one with a bigger drop, in order to keep the trailer level. Lowering the trailer on the ball, the rear end lowered 2", and the front raised 1/4" at most. This offset some, but not all, of the truck's built-in rake, resulting in close to level. At least closer to level than an unloaded truck.

A test drive without WD or sway was nice, solid, stable.

Applying the same relatively mild WD I had on the F250 had little effect on the truck's front and rear ride height. 2nd test drive, with WD, had no discernible difference.

The surprise was this: my storage yard is at the top of a short road with an 8 degree climb. The climb comes on suddenly (from a relatively flat intersection right into the grade), much more severe than going up a driveway. Once backed into my space, I noticed that the top left edge of the front storage hatch was binding slightly in its frame; this was not happening before. I suspect that the bind was due to the stress going up that transition. Once I released the WD bars and unhitched, the bind released, but it was an indication that stress was occurring briefly, probably due to the transition of level ground to the 8 degree grade.

At this point, I will either dial back the WD even more - all I am trying to do is to get some friction for sway control out of the hitch - or more likely abandon the WD completely. The truck does not need it.

Yea I know - proof is in the CAT scale; I'll run the configs over a scale sometime, but I do not expect to see much difference between WD and non-WD configs with this truck. The fact that WD moves the suspension so little, with a heavy diesel engine on the front end, indicates that the steer axle is not getting unloaded very much at all.

Those of you who do not need to drive over such a steep transition, may not see any ill effects with WD. But, a word of caution for those who do.

Spring rate.

Engine type is irrelevant. Wheelbase also plays a role.

But hitch receivers are not as well-designed as the custom ones we had built decades ago. Factory schematics by the late 1960s.

Hard to see the point of a one ton unless bed is loaded to near capacity. In which case THAT is the WD test.

Start with TARE weight: driver, full fuel and whatever is permanent to truck during your ownership. This is its lightest possible weight from hereon.

Were you to add, say, a tool chest or extra fuel tank, reweigh.

Do all four corners as well (three passes). FF/RR weight bias is the outstanding pickup problem, followed by high center of gravity (consider that point to be the top of the transmission at the firewall). It's also the first step for TV tire pressure: heaviest load on individual tire determines pressure for that axle.

How well that FF/RR weight bias percentage is altered by loading the bed on is one thing . . how well the load in the bed is on or ahead of the rear axle is another. It's a real drivability issue. Polar moment of inertia.

Ive repacked mine several times. All the weight is forward.

Published shipping weight was 6860.

Present TARE is 7,940. Each wheel within 40-lbs all around.

I have plenty of room for TW, but I can also crank in as much WD as I want (exceeding FALR) now that I also have a Class V receiver better than the factory piece.

If it takes a load of sandbags or other, experiment to find what you can do.

Good luck

.

[Moflash]

Ford upgraded their receivers 2017 so that is no longer a issue.
Engine type is very relevant if you are comparing the front end weight of a gasser vs diesel.With a F350 6.7 adjusting the wd just enough to provide friction for the anti sway benefit that the wd provides.Also to return the tow vehicle close to its original stance is all that's really needed.you are not looking for max weight transfer.I adjust mine with gear loaded in the cab and the box.

Slowmover the above statement is correct but more relevant though for those running on the edge of their trucks capacity.
Common sense goes along way here.

If some of you who continue to question the selection of a F250 or 350 would just go test drive one you would understand the advantages of having a more capable tow vehicle.I tow approximately 20,000 miles per year and like to take things along without having to run to the scales or pull out my slide rule.Not my thing ......

[slowmover]

Engine type irrelevant. Every one has different rate springs front and rear to account for it.

Receiver may be "improved" but still needs testing. How much WD "force" is necessary. Less is "better" to reach a particular goal.

An empty pickup is obviously different than one loaded. The question is what have a certain spec model with the terrible when empty FF/RR bias? Means bad choice thereby.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by ksteve06

Anyone out there with a 2017 F350 using an equalizer hitch. Just wondering if it's overkill or not.

Yes, the F-350 is overkill, the Equ-i-lizer is not.

[Moflash]

Once again statements by clueless individuals.....get a life