I am borrowing my buddies 25' TT. He got it at an auction so we know none of the history on it. We found parts to a weight distribution hitch in a storage compartment. It was just the bars, chains, and a sway bar as well. Neither one of us has the hitch part. If the trailer doesn't cause the truck to sag, do I really need the WDH? With the trailer on the ball it brings the truck down about 1".

 

It all comes down to the hitch on your truck. Is it rated for more than the tongue weight and weight of the camper?

If it is and the headlights are not pointed to the sky no need for WDH.

 

Everything on the truck is rated for 10k so I should be good then.

 

Depends on tongue weight etc. Heavier weights will drop the tail more. Weight ratings are not the only factor in determining whether you could use a WD hitch.

What you didn't mention is... how much if any did the front of your truck rise? That is the real measure of what a weight distributing hitch does for you.

WIth a normal hitch all the weight is on the tail and pushes it down. But, the front end also lifts up which means it is decreasing the weight on the steering wheels. So given enough weight you can have head lights shining on overpasses and you can have less sterring control than you should.

A WD hitch transfers the weight to all axles of both truck and trailer, so your truck fron and rear change less than they might and you have better vehicle control.

I have a 30 foot trailer weighing about 8,000# with my F250. When I drive without the WD, it jounces more and I feel like I have less control. With WD the truck is more level and does not jounce around and almost feels like there is no trailer. At the end of a long drive I will be more fatigued if I tow without the WD.

Your 25 foot trailer probably weighs more around 5000# or so and since you have a 250 you are probably OK. But you might try out a WD and see if it makes a difference in how tired you are after a tow.

If you have the frame mount hitch, then all you need is the "stinger" These usually cost around $200 new, by themsleves. Used is probably much cheaper.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Well I'm back from my trip. The truck rode great, a lot smoother than with the 13' camper I used to pull. It tracked nice and smooth and I was even able to take curves at the speed limit. My old camper had really weak springs and would lean a lot in curves. It was heavier than I expected though, the truck handled it fine but I underestimated the braking power I would need which resulted in a scary situation. After letting the brakes cool, I turned up the boost on my prodigy and completed the trip just fine, well almost, but thats another thread.