Forgive me, I'm a newbie to towing with something other than a 1/2 ton truck. I've always used a WDH with anti sway while hauling my 34' TT, but I keep reading and hearing on videos that my new F250 will not need a WDH..

Should I find a new anti sway solution without a WDH option or can I give up both?

Thanks in advance.....

 

Even the 2011 - 2016 trucks have anti-sway software. Both my 2011 and now my current 2015 super duty does.

I can't answer whether one is "needed" or not as I have never had a trailer sway on me, but I also don't pull that often or more than 10k pounds.

 

I've towed a 32' tag-along for years with a F150 that has anti-sway in the truck. By the time the truck starts hitting the various brakes due to sway, things are really getting out of hand. The sway that gives everything in your mind that "unhappy" feeling is addressed by anti-sway hitches - not the truck computer. For the most relaxing tow (other than gooseneck or fifth wheel), you can use an ProPride 3P or Hensley Arrow. With a super-duty, a regular (less expensive) anti-sway hitch like the Reese straight-line would work. All of these hitches have weight-distribution though. The arrow and 3P don't depend on the weight distribution bars to control the sway though. I'd check with the manufacturer to see if you can run without them if that's important to you. It literally takes only 15 seconds to wind the distro jacks on my 3P with my drill - they stay mounted to the trailer as well.

 

But the big question will be "What is the hitch rated at as a weight carrying hitch?"
Even on my '16 F350 DUALLY, I am limited to a certain amount of weight due the the weight carrying capacity of the hitch.
Remember, one must carry 10-15% of the gross trailer weight on the hitch.

 

IMO, though I haven't been pullin TTs for too long, about 2 hears (but lots of miles), you would benefit from a WD hitch on any travel trailer over 24' or over 5-6k GVW. I haven't pulled with my '16 F-250 yet, but the '01 F-350 I had handled my 34' Starcraft ok without one, but handled it like a dream with one. I've never scaled the TT, dry weight lists at appx 6,700lbs, I've assumed it approaching 8k when traveling.

The '01 had a TON of rake, so without the hitch, the trailer didn't even quite level the truck,
So I set up the hitch possibly a bit lighter than it called for, but when I hit the road it was amazing. The hitch didn't only control sway, but it really helped with the "bouncing" on the back end from rough patches of interstate. It made the entire truck and trailer feel like one unit working together, rather than a truck dragging a loose flailing trailer behind it.

Whenever I make my next move, I'll have to make a short tow without the hitch to somewhere nice and flat, and then take some time to set up the hitch on the new truck. The 01 was at least 5-6 inches higher at the hitch than this '16, but I'm convinced it will be worth the time to set up

With a 34 footer, I would recommend getting a WD hitch, one with sway control built in. With that kind of load and the difference the hitch can make as far as safe handling, it's a no-brainer IMO

I tried to insert a link to the Husky Centerline hitch that I'm using, but the link wouldn't work in the preview post page.

 

The computer's anti-sway system is not a substitute for an anti-sway hitch. It's more for safety. What it does is try to stop sway AFTER it happens by slowing you down and applying the brakes. An anti-sway/WD hitch like the Equalizer is constantly applying friction to keep the trailer from swaying in the first place. What a pain it would be for the computer to apply brakes and slow you down every time the wind or a semi makes your trailer move.

 

I don't see a downside to having a WD system even if the truck doesn't happen to need it.

 

I wasn't sure about this either. Some say the truck needs that weight to help settle it down. So I wasn't sure if having one would have a negative effect.

I'm looking at a Anderson Hitch to replace an old WDH came with my TT.

Y'all know anything about this one:

Andersen 'No-Sway' Weight Distribution Hitch

 

i think the real tell will be when we get one of these on the scale with a trailer. I am willing to do the experiment for sure. I have access to a 13000lb Travel trailer i can test with. If it doesn't remove any weight from the front wheels and distributes evenly then we will have our answer

 

Unless they have figured out a way to defy the laws of physics, it's going to remove weight from the front end. A rear hitch is just a simple lever working around the rear axle.

 

They are great hitches but from what I am reading for lighter trailers. I considered this hitch but my TT weights 8k and read it really works the rubber bushings over. Someone was able to fix it with double washers but I would rather get a WDH made for it.

The best are Arrow and Propride but they are pricey, I went with an Equalizer with 10k bars and it does awesome with my F150. Only reason I am upgrading is my payload is done with just my tongue weight.

Back on topic I thought it could handle a 22k without weight distribution because it was built into the receiver? Is that not correct?

 

But where does one find a drawbar for that kind of weight rating without going to a WDH????? The plain drawbars I have seen are good for maybe 8000 at the most. But then, I have not really been looking, either. So maybe there are some rated for more weight now.

 

So I found the article and here is the snipped, it seems you have to use the 3" receiver to get the full weight and it works because of how far the hitch goes into the frame.


"One of the smartest innovations here is the tow hitch system, available for 2.5- and 3-inch setups. These hitches are built into the frame and extend so far underneath the truck (and use so much high-strength steel) that weight-equalizing bars are no longer required to handle the maximum tow capacity. That will save Super Duty owners a lot of time and effort when hitching up."

2017 Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350 review with price, torque, towing and horsepower

 

Here is the Reese Ball mount which is also the one Ford sells a genuine accessory.
Reese Super Titan Dual Ball Mount for 3" Hitches - 2", 2-5/16" ***** - 25,000 lbs Reese Ball Mounts RP38180

 

If towing on 60mph or less roads and only a few hours from home, I don't use my equalizer hitch. Too much of a hassle. But if I'm going on the highway at 70mph for many miles, i use it. My TT is 27' and weighs around 7000# loaded up.

I've never had sway and I have about 8000 miles with my TT behind my F-250. If you get sway, your supposed to gently hit the trailer brakes. Hopefully I never have an issue, some of those vidoes are terrifying!