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Towing without load leveling hitch with a 2017 SD.
This question in specially related to the 2017 SD. In the Ford videos they state that due to the stronger frames you can now eliminate the equalizing hitch. I now drive a 09 F150 CC 5.4 and tow a travel trailer that only weighs 4,100 when empty. But I usually have 50 gallons of water and every inch of storage space is full in the camper and the bed of the truck. I use an Equilizer brand load leveling hitch. The issue is as I get older the hitch gets heavier. Is it realistic to think that I could use a 2017 F250 CC without a load leveling hitch. I'm not sure of the hitch weight. If the Equalizer is not needed could sway be an issue. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Just because it is not required does not mean that it is a bad idea.
OK, you will not bend the frame on a '17, but an LL hitch throws weight off of the rear axle and on to the front. Or more accurately, it keeps from lifting weight off of the front axle and onto the rear.
A light front end will affect traction (in 4WD), steering and braking.
So if you already own an LL hitch, why not use it?
Just because it is not required does not mean that it is a bad idea.
OK, you will not bend the frame on a '17, but an LL hitch throws weight off of the rear axle and on to the front. Or more accurately, it keeps from lifting weight off of the front axle and onto the rear.
A light front end will affect traction (in 4WD), steering and braking.
So if you already own an LL hitch, why not use it?
As I get older the hitch get heavier. My back is going to stop me from using the heavy LL hitch. But I don't want to stop towing.
I have a 7000 pound travel trailer that I've towed for years with my 2005 F150 with a WD hitch. When I bought my 2017 Superduty, one of the appealing aspects was to ditch the WD hitch for this trailer. That is exactly what I will be doing.
I have a 7000 pound travel trailer that I've towed for years with my 2005 F150 with a WD hitch. When I bought my 2017 Superduty, one of the appealing aspects was to ditch the WD hitch for this trailer. That is exactly what I will be doing.
Thanks for the input. You are doing what I am considering. I would like hear from some that have moved from a F150 with a LL to a F250 without a Load Leveling hitch.
Probably, for light trailers, WDH will not be needed. However, box trailers/TT's, etc. still catch wind, and all the hitch/frame/truck is not going to change that. I personally would still want some kind of sway control. The laws of physics won't change with a different truck.......leverage, increasing weight behind the rear axle reduces weight on the front axle, etc.!
And by the way.....I don't need a WDH at all!!!!😎😎😎
Which, IMHO, is the *best* way to not have to mess with a WDH!!
Best of luck to you and yours!! And have a GREAT day....keep on truckin'!!
You may not need the equalizer hitch but I suspect the rear will sag pretty badly without it. If that's the case, and I think it will be, then esthetics and handling will be less than good.
Last edited by unit; Feb 26, 2017 at 10:59 AM.
Reason: fixed wording
Any of you with the 2017 F250 - what is the weight-carrying spec on the sticker on your hitch?
For my 2010 F250, it's 600 lb weight carrying, and 1250 weight distributing.
Since my 27ft Airstream has 900 lb tongue weight, I'm hoping I can ditch the WD hitch if the 2017 F250 have a weight carrying spec of greater than 1000 lbs.
It's unclear to me whether the higher weight carrying capacity only comes with the F350 with the 3" hitch.
Probably, for light trailers, WDH will not be needed. However, box trailers/TT's, etc. still catch wind, and all the hitch/frame/truck is not going to change that. I personally would still want some kind of sway control. The laws of physics won't change with a different truck.......leverage, increasing weight behind the rear axle reduces weight on the front axle, etc.!
And by the way.....I don't need a WDH at all!!!!😎😎😎
Which, IMHO, is the *best* way to not have to mess with a WDH!!
Best of luck to you and yours!! And have a GREAT day....keep on truckin'!!
Agree. But you cheat.
Sway I could work on with a anti-sway device if needed. It's the heavy LL I'm trying to avoid. Thanks for your comments.
Until buying the SD we were towing a 3500lb travel trailer with an Expedition, it didn't "need" a WDH in any way shape or form. 9200lb tow rating, 600lb (no WDH) tongue weight allowance. The TT had a 375lb tongue weight. As I said, no issue weight wise.
BUT.. we owned a WDH for our previous camper (7000lbs, 750lb T.W.) and on a lark, I used it to pull the Pod once.. NEVER towed without it again. It's not just about the weight distribution, we both felt the eX rode MUCH better with it. Our current Lance weighs (GVWR) 6000, and the weighed tongue weight is 810lbs. again, WELL within the SD capabilities. But we will use the WDH. I suspect the truck will ride better. Won't know for another week or two, but we intend to go camping, and tow down with, and back without, to see how it feels.
Any of you with the 2017 F250 - what is the weight-carrying spec on the sticker on your hitch?
For my 2010 F250, it's 600 lb weight carrying, and 1250 weight distributing.
Since my 27ft Airstream has 900 lb tongue weight, I'm hoping I can ditch the WD hitch if the 2017 F250 have a weight carrying spec of greater than 1000 lbs.
It's unclear to me whether the higher weight carrying capacity only comes with the F350 with the 3" hitch.
I intend to continue using my equalizer brand hitch for the sway control and weight distribution. My trailer is a 8500 lbs GVW. 27 foot, 31 ft long in total. I have always towed with a F350 SD. Previously 2005 diesel, now a 2017.
Reality is, your trailer won't ebpven lower the back end of the new truck, mine barely puts the rear on the over loads. But once I load up with dpforewood, bikes, generators, fuel, I am sitting nice and level on the old truck.
I am of the school that my hitch is a necessary piece of equipment. Especially for longer trips, I do intend to use it. But I will likely experiment with if its needed, like when I pick up from storage. The hitch head is the heaviest, once in place in the receiver, it's not that bad. Do you know the trick to using the tongue Jack to get your bars on the brackets and the L brackets in, without prying the bars? Also, I like to leave the hitch in the receiver and just cover the greasy ball, leave the tailgate down to protect my knees when camping, this reduces the lifting somewhat as well.
We primarily use goosenecks, but I've hauled about 7,500 pounds a total of 1,200 miles so far on a bumper pull with my 2017 F350 srw. I was hauling hay on a 16' trailer so it's not a direct comparison to your travel trailer. My trailer and load were probably shorter (in length) and taller than you'll be. It wasn't even on the top overload until I put another 1,100-1,200 pound bale on the bed, and even then it was barely touching it. I had no sway issues whatsoever. The distance from the rear axle to the hitch is much shorter than the wheelbase, so your trailer won't take much weight off the front axle. It's not going to sag the rear end enough to have much effect on camber. I wouldn't be worried to try it.
Last edited by gbkeith; Feb 26, 2017 at 03:23 PM.
Reason: clarity
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