<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" oreferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <vath o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:11.25pt; height:11.25pt'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C<img src="http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" smilieid="4" class="inlineimg" />OCUME~1kellyLOCALS~1Tempmsohtml1\01clip_image001. gif" o:href="http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/smilies2/biggrin.gif"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Hello all...new to the forum & a brand new F-350 King Ranch owner. The truck was purchased to tow a horse trailer & I've been reading up on towing guideliness for such heavy loads.

Here are the specs on the truck: 07' 4x4 crew cab, 5.4L, 6' bed. 4.10 axle ratio, 12.5K hitch receiver, tow package with tow command & stabilizer package.

Here are the specs on the trailer: The trailer weighs 3500 lbs empty (about 6500 when fully loaded with horses & gear) and has a tongue weight around 500 lbs. It is a tag-along style.

Based on the trailer load, a weight carrying hitch isn’t big enough when hauling 2 horses - we need the weight distribution capacity when fully loaded.

Here is my question... do I need to purchase a weight distribution hitch (i.e., equalizing arms, snap-up brackets that attach to the trailer tongue?)

Im confused between Ford 07' trailer towing guide & the horse trailer towing book I'm reading. The horse towing book says that stabilizer bar does the job of a weight distribution hitch - moving the load equally to all 4 wheels...but the Ford hitch receiver weight capacity guide says that the owner is responsible for obtaining the proper weight distribution equipment.

Hauling horses is a lot different than a few snowmobiles...I want to be sure we are safe.

Thanks for your help!
Kelly

 

I won't bother running the numbers - there are plenty here who do that better, but you are well withing the capacities of your truck. The hitch is at minimum 12,500# rated, and the truck will do much more than your estimated 6500#. I heartily recommend weight distributing hitch with sway control. It is much easier on you when driving, and much easier on the horses in the trailer. I have a 6000# TT and use Draw-Tite wd hitch with dual cam sway control and the trailer barely budges in crosswinds or passing semi's. JMHO.

 

Welcome aboard!! And congratulations on the new truck!!

I do not have the manual in front of me, but if memory serves me correctly, I believe the factory 12.5K hitch receiver is good for up to 600 pounds of tongue weight when used as a weight carrying hitch. For tongue weights in excess of 600 pounds, a weight distribution setup is necessary, and that will extend your acceptable tongue weight up to 1,250 pounds.

If you are right in that 500 pound tongue weight, a weight distribution hitch is not necessary.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the ball & ball mount play into this equation as well. A ball with a 3/4" shank has a lower tongue & tow rating than a ball with a 1" shank, and that same principal goes for a ball with a 1 1/4" shank. I think most ***** with a 1" shank cap out around 6,000lbs whereas the 1 1/4" shanks start around 10K and do not cap out until something like 30K.

Once you have the ball, it will be a relatively easy matter to pick a ball mount (hitch, as some call it) that will accomodate the shank & fit into your hitch reciever....while still offering a tow rating sufficient for what you plan to tow around.

 

IMHO, weight distribution may not be necessary, but is very desirable. If budget is a consideration, you may be fine without, but I won't give up my wd hitch unless/until I get a fiver. It's more than just the numbers for me.

 

I am assuming tag along means like a normal travel trailer and not 5th wheel or gooseneck.

Your tongue weight sounds low, maybe it is the empty weight? With a 6500 pounds trailer you should figure between about 1,000 pounds and 1,300 pounds of tongue. You might get away with 10% or 650 pounds but it might be squirrely.

Most weight distributing hitches have some adjustment capacity and at leas my EAZ Lift can be used with or without the transfer bars. It's a bit jouncy without.

I am NOT a trailer expert but I think stabilizer bars are either the antisway bars or bars on the truck suspension. Niether helps much with weight distribution from what I recall reading. They are good for winds and passing big rigs etc.

With a weight distributing hitch, the weight of the trailer gets transferred to all 4 wheels of the truck and to all the wheels of the trailer. How you adjust it determines just how much weight is distributed where. The antisway may even help when your horses get restless, but I have no clue here.

If it was me, I would get a WD hitch and antisway system. Your drive will be much less fatiging since you won't be fighting your rig like you would without proper equipment. It is only a few hundred dollars. Surely owning horses cost a tiny bit more than that.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

I tow a 10,000 enclosed car hauler. I use weight distribution and cam type sway control.

First, a draw bar, draw bar pin and ball that meets those weight specs is a must. Gotta be safe.

Second, you will hate life in a cross wind without sway control.

Third, you cannot count on always being at 500lbs of tongue weight. Loads shift and horses move. IMHO, you are too close to the limit. Build in some safety factor. It's just a few dollars more. How much to replace the trailer and it's cargo?

JMHO

 

I can't stress that enough!

 

At this point Please Put a 1,000 miles on your truck before you start to tow anything. You will be much happier.

 

That about covers it!

Tongue weight should be about 15% of trailer weight and horses do tend to move around so sway control AND weight distribution are a must. Also be sure the trailer rides level when you tow.

Precious cargo you got there. You've certainly got the right truck, don't stop there!

 

Yes, congrats on the new truck 4DAHOSS and welcome aboard.

 

Thanks to all for your input on this.

I've been in touch with the trailer manufacturer & they recommended the draw-tite brand for weight distribution on their trailers. I'll be visiting my local RV dealer to get the proper hitch & wd system...after we hit 1000 miles.

 

BTW, I was looking through the specs for my truck and stumbled on the hitch ratings - for 12,500# hitch they allow 1,250# hitch weight.

 

I would recomend a Equalizer brand hitch. Get a 10,000 pound hitch, 1000 lb bars. This set up is sway control and load distribution in one package. Is especially good at low tongue weights and you DO NOT WANT to tow horses any long distances without good sway control. The spook and move around a lot and on a windy day at a bad time is scary. $ 500 US will get you a great set up and you will be very safe. Its not necessary, but, you only have to see one rolled truck and trailer to be impressed with the forethought of a good and safe set up.

 

I just posted this in the towing section

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ml#post4303321

 

In the sentence right after the one you quoted, I stated, "For tongue weights in excess of 600 pounds, a weight distribution setup is necessary, and that will extend your acceptable tongue weight up to 1,250 pounds."

I pulled out my '06 Owner's Manual and verified that the weights that I had quoted were correct. Less than 600lbs tongue weight can be pulled without any weight distribution setup; anything above that requires a weight distribution setup. As others have pointed out, even if you are under that 600lb tongue weight, having a weight distribution setup can still be a good thing, as they can provide additional stability.