I have a 2014 F250 Lariat Turbo Diesel. It replaced my 2007 Toyota Tundra. With the Tundra I bought a equalizer weight distributing hitch with anti sway bars. The tundra towed my 34 foot trailer but was underpowered. With the Weight Distributing Hitch the trailer never swayed.

Now, with the 2014 F250 I decided to do our first decent size trip without the Weight Distributing Hitch (WDH). Bad idea!!! I must say I was quite disappointed!!! The trailer swayed ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH MY 250. I know it's not the 250's fault and I know I need to have about 15% tongue weight on my trailer, which I believe it's there. It looks like I'll have to put my WDH on my 250 when towing. My 250 does squat more than I thought it would but not as much as my Tundra did. The trailer is long in size but it's an ultra light and only weights 5700 pounds dry. How many other folks use WDH when towing campers? I'm disappointed that I still need mine but i guess that's what I get for buying a 34' travel trailer.

Any have any other suggestions? I logged over 5,300 miles on a trip with my Tundra out West and it wasn't bad except for having to keep my foot on the gas and not set the cruise control. Truck would hunt and peck between 4 and 5 gear. With the 250, I did a 200 mile trip and hated it!!! I could set the cruise and the truck hardly when out of 6th gear but the damn trailer was swaying too much for my liking....

Thanks,
Ryan

 

1) anti sway bar that mounts from hitch to frame of trailer2) anti sway bar mounted in the rear axle of the truck....some f-250s do not have one stock.3) increase trailer weight forward of the axles

 

The 250s (and 350s) all squat (LOTS of threads about it) because Ford wants to have a comfy ride for the soccer Dads..

I've towed a coleman pop-up from my in-laws (in the past with a Tahoe) and it swayed terrible but it was better with their explorer.. I think the wheel base of the towing vehicle and distance to the trailer's wheels(and/or center of gravity) probably plays a factor.

Added an anti-sway dampener and problem solved.

So, you 'could' try just a better anti-sway device - but the WDH would put some weight back onto your front axle and keep your headlights on the road..

 

Buying a 3/4 ton truck does not in any way exempt you from having to use a WDH. Has the weight been confirmed on a scale? Doubt any 34 footer is really that light loaded and ready to camp. The specs for the hitch from ford are 600 tongue/ 6000 tow without the WDH. So either way your right there.

Use the WDH you already have. It's really that easy.

 

It's wayyyyy better to tow a travel trailer with a anti sway hitch on. We use a Reese Dual Cam with our travel trailer and it's smooth sailing, trucks, storms no worries.

 

Yes, in sure it's 5,700 dry. I even went to a truck station and had my rig weighed. It was about 6,800 loaded so I'm over. I've logged over 13,000 towing with the Tundra. I guess I was under the impression I wouldn't need a WDH. Good to know and glad my first trip wasn't that long on the highway.

 

We also tow with an F250 / Reese WDH Dual Cam Sway control. Very nice setup. The WDH will level up the rear (or close to it) when properly adjusted.
Use Tow/Haul mode
Lock out 6th gear on anything but flat terrain
Accurately weigh the tongue weight, and adjust to 12% of the trailer weight. Recommended tongue weight is 10-15%. if you tow a lot, consider buying a "Sherman Scale" small hydraulic tongue scale for about $150.

 

There is no reason to lock out 6th gear. Set your cruise speed and engage cruise control.

Its a diesel and the trans is made to tow in all gears.

I run 65 mph all day long with the cruise on.

 

I always use the WD hitch and I have a dually. It's a safety thing. Having a big heavy truck doesn't mean you should not use the WD hitch. I would recommend to adjust it properly to the new truck, you might need make small adjustments as you load up but that's ok.
As far as the trans, leave it in 6th and I don't bother with tow/haul.

 

People with 1 ton trucks still use their W/D and sway bars.

It will sway bad when getting passed by 18-wheelers or by people like me in a big motorhome doing 80

 

I'm picking up my new 30' trailer tomorrow to start towing with my new 250. Already have the WD hitch so it can be put on tomorrow. I will never not have that type of hitch when towing high profile trailers.

 

I missed the OP has a diesel. I do lock out 6th gear on hilly terrain with my 6.2l gas, as it constantly shifts back and forth between 5/6.

 

no way I would tow with out a sway hitch, even with my 23 Travel trailer

 

Same here. I did it once -- when I was picking up my 25 footer for the first time -- and never will again. Considering how cheap a good WD system is (Eaz-Cam, $250) it's cheap insurance.

 

Thanks everyone. I'll be setting up my WDH for my 250 today when I get back home. Anyone use an Equalizer WDH?