Good day!
I have a question that has been knawing at my head.
I have a 04 F-250, Turbo Diesel with the tow package on it.
I'm going to California to pick up my trailer from my brothers house and was wondering if I need to buy one of these;

to tow it, or will the truck tow it just fine without them? The trailer has had the leaf springs swapped to the under side of the axle to lower it for better handling, but I just want to know if I should spend the money on this id I don't "NEED" it with my truck. Thanks!

 

The question is more "does the TRAILER need this". What kind of trailer? What does it weigh? What is the capacity of the hitch on the truck? A WD hitch (which is what you have pictured) will allow the trailer hitch to haul the full capacity of the hitch, over and above the usual 5000lbs load-carrying capacity. It will also even the load on the truck, leveling the truck and trailer. It will need to be installed on the trailer, its not something that is easily swapped back and forth. The TRUCK half is easy to swap, but the trailer half requires installation, many times involving welding.

 

Sounds like you are in Navy, seeing you are at Whidbey Island. I was there for 9 years....fine place to be!

If you have a 250, with tow package, I'll bet it's a travel trailer for you and family. I'd guess the trailer is over 12 feet in length, so if I were you, I would surely use that weight distributing hitch.

If it's longer, I would also consider adding the sway control to it also....Sure helps control sway from those big tractor trailers flying by on I-5!

 

I say no you don't need it, i've pulled A lot of defferant trailers with my F250 with no problem. Hook to the trailer and try it, if you feel it wonders some then add it later.

 

The trailer is a 24 ft. travel trailer and it weighs 6,500 pounds, but I can't remember if that's full or dry. I think dry, not sure. It's a Terry Resort 24ft- tow behind.
According to the manual, it says that the max trailer weight is 12,500 lbs and GCWR is 20,000 lbs. Tongue weight is around 750 to 950 lbs, rought guess.
It's not really a big deal if I NEED one, I just don't wanna spend money if I don't need to.

 

Yeah you guessed it, I am Navy. been here since 99 and only have 2 1/2 years left till they pipe me ashore for good.
I have the rear axle sway bar installed also on my truck. The trailer is lowered and it's a 24 footer, sleeps 7. The previous owner told me it weighed 6500, but I can't remember if that's empty or full.
Oh I see, the sway control on the trailer, you mean. Right, gotcha. ALright, I guess I'll have to cough up the 300 bones to get the set up, place a brake controller. Anoyone know of a good and inexpensive brake controller?

 

Depends on how skilled you are towing, the semi's flying by me when I towed the TT have me sweating like a pig. The sway control add ons helped a lot, but I was a beginner. After a couple of years of towing the semi's didn't bother me much and now I'm towintg the 5ver.

 

for a brake controller I would get the Tekonsha Prodigy. They are really good and relatively inexpensive at about 90 bucks.

 

You WILL need a brake controller...here's the best out there for the money IMO RVWholesalers.com , Brake Controllers , Prodigy Brake Control by Tekonsha

Also you can get a WD hitch with INTEGRATED sway control it is called the Equal-I-Zer brand I know it may be more than you wanted to spend but from a sway control standpoint...it really is top notch over a simple friction bar. RVWholesalers.com , Hitches / Towing , Equal-i-zer Hitches and Accessories , Equal-i-zer Hitch 1200/12000lbs Trailer Weight BTW...we don't carry around sway control for 99% of the times we tow. It is that 1% of the time when we get blasted by a cross wind in a down hill curve with semi's passing that can upset the balance of your setup...THAT is why we carry sway control...because when bad happens on the road...it is too late to go back for more sway control...you have to deal with what you brung!

Also...the advice about overloading your receiver is right on...take a look at the tag on the hitch receiver on your truck...I'm willing to bet you will find something like this (or something close)

Weight Carry mode : Max trailer weight 5000# and max tongue weight 500#
Weight DISTRIBUTION mode: Max trailer weight 12000# and max tongue weight 1250#

Ford is telling you that in order to tow heavy weights...you need a weight distribution hitch to help DISTRIBUTE the forces associated with heavier trailers while moving down the road over all those bumps and what not...

While the F250 is a work horse of a chassis...the receiver really is the WEAK LINK in this towing system...a good aftermarket receiver that has a weight CARRY mode tongue load limit of 1500#'s IS available if you are interested...but I'd still think you would be much happier with the overall towing experience with a WD hitch between you and the trailer...it will be smoother to trailer and like I said...that 1% that you MAY need more sway control is always a possibility...no matter how remote.

Good luck with your decision...let us know if we have confused you too badly!

Oh yeah...THANK YOU for your service...and happy Vets day tomorrow to you and all of our fine men and women on these boards!!!

Joe.

 

I towed my Terry 27 foot travel trailer a lot with just an F150, not even your bigger F250.

The WD bars helped it sway a tiny bit less in a real strong cross wind.
But if just going to a campground say an hour away, and not a very windy day, I would not even put them on.

You should hear them bang when backing into a real tight spot and having to turn sharp....OUCH !

For most stuff I actually prefered the way it towed without the bars on.
It rides nicer over rough ground, backs up better etc.

I tow a lot.
Actually drove semi for years and years, now only tow about 30,000 kms a year and with a pickup.
Everything from snowmobiles, to my travel trailer, and bobcat, to my race car.

I personally prefer no sway bars.

 

Just remember that a class III hitch is not rated for towing that weight without the weight distribution. It can fail if overstressed.

 

My 27 foot long Terry even with water tank full, food, dishes, clothing, etc only weighs about 7,300 pounds, with a hitch weight of about 770.

 

So with a class III hitch you were 150% of its rated capacity... not a good idea!

 

I put a hitch, ball etc. on my truck all rated to carry 1,000 and tow 10,000.
The RV pace installed it before I ever left with my new travel trailer.
Oh and it has the electric brake controller to, so the brakes work great.
I am not using the truck to stop the trailer, which is dangerous, but still some people try and do it.

I just do not like the bars on, so carry them, but often in the storage compartment of the trailer, not used on the hitch.

 

I strongly suggest weighing that trailer so you know what you're pulling.

Check out CAT scales: CAT Scale Search

Guessing at the loaded/unloaded weight can be a dangerous thing to do.

FWIW, I recommend weight distribution and sway control hitches. It's inexpensive insurance for your Family!