Ford says no WD hitch required on 2017 SD.

[crispyboy]

Would love to see a few pics of the new hitch in comparison to the old one.

[Mgieselman]

Not sure this clears anything up but TFL Truck asked the same question.

http://www.tfltruck.com/2016/07/2017...ions-answered/

[Mgieselman]

From what I can find in the web the hitch is built into the frame and extends farther forward than a traditional hitch which would possibly account for better weight distribution.

Ford has published the specs, limit is 17,600 for a diesel 4x4 SRW.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...ations/towing/

[m.hony]

Kinda sorta like a built-in Hensley or ProPride?


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[jcl]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Kinda sorta like a built-in Hensley or ProPride?

No, nothing like that.

If anything, more kinda like how some reinforce their hitch receivers with a strut running fore and aft.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by Mgieselman

From what I can find in the web the hitch is built into the frame and extends farther forward than a traditional hitch which would possibly account for better weight distribution.

Ford has published the specs, limit is 17,600 for a diesel 4x4 SRW.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...ations/towing/

What difference would that make? The hitch and ball are behind the pickup,

[Al and Missy]

I think the Ford statement is only addressing the weight capacity of the hitch. With previous hitches, the hitch itself had separate ratings for weight bearing and weight distributing hitches. Now they say that distinction doesn't exist. So if you can tow 21,000 pounds, anticipating a 15% tongue weight, the hitch can carry 3000 pounds tongue weight. But clearly from OP's picture there is less weight on the front end and therefore more weight on the rear. Consequently steering force might be compromised and the rear axle might be overloaded. Even if they have a rear axle with sufficient margin, IMO there is no getting around the reduced steering and braking force on the front axle. Steering and braking are both dependent on the friction force of the front tires at the road surface and that force is directly proportional to the weight load on the tires.

Al

[crispyboy]

Al gets it right on his post!

[slowmover]

Moving hitch attachment points forward (given a crossmember integrated receiver) decreases frame flex. Makes adjusting a WDH properly a closer thing. If report is correct it's only about 35-years overdue.

And, whether the truck "can" doesn't take into account wind loads on TTs or the high COG of conventional TTs per J2807 (it's most glaring deficiency). "Weight" is relative, not absolute.

Besides likely better handling, steering and braking in which every pickup is deficient (along a scale; a pickup with IFS and 4-whl disc brakes superior to other designs), maxing WD force increases weight at the TT wheels making them more effective at braking the combined rig.

Trailer braking matters far more than how much a given TV can tow per "ratings". Same for steering and handling.

[silverlabs]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

I think the Ford statement is only addressing the weight capacity of the hitch. With previous hitches, the hitch itself had separate ratings for weight bearing and weight distributing hitches. Now they say that distinction doesn't exist. So if you can tow 21,000 pounds, anticipating a 15% tongue weight, the hitch can carry 3000 pounds tongue weight. But clearly from OP's picture there is less weight on the front end and therefore more weight on the rear. Consequently steering force might be compromised and the rear axle might be overloaded. Even if they have a rear axle with sufficient margin, IMO there is no getting around the reduced steering and braking force on the front axle. Steering and braking are both dependent on the friction force of the front tires at the road surface and that force is directly proportional to the weight load on the tires.

Al

I think Al is correct in his assessment. The no WD reference applies to those vehicles with the Max Tow package which gives a little stiffer front springs and the new hitch with the 3" receiver. On my 2017 F250 I did not opt for Max Tow as didn't need the extra little payload it provided and didn't want to use two reducers to use the 2" stinger on my PP. All I have read is exactly what Al refers to.

Chuck