Do I need a weight distribution hitch?

Ivylog wrote:
Not only NO, but Heck NO. I have exact same truck except extra cab, not crew. You do not need more weight on the front tires. It will not even get the extra rear spring to hit... do anything.

Snip...
Welcome to the forums... lots of usually good free advice although there are too many weight police on here.

You do not add additional weight to the front axle when using a WD hitch. What you DO do is restore the weight that was taken off the front axle when you put the weight on the hitch. Keep in mind, that hitch is several feet behind the rear axle of the truck and, just like a teeter totter, it will take weight off the front axle. The WD hitch just puts that lost weight back where it came from.

Don't know what to say about that "weight police on here" comment. There are just a lot of experienced Rvers here that like to help others out, and most beginners have no idea about weight distribution or how it works. Looks like some more experienced Rvers need that education also. :W
Barney

With that combo I doubt it would make much of a difference.

I agree with BenK. If the receiver says to use it, then do. If not, probably not needed.

This can be answered by the receiver's ratings label on your TV

It will list two ratings...one without a WD Hitch system (dead weight)
and other with a WD Hitch system

But...you will need to know that trailers ACTUAL tongue weight, not
the 'dry' tongue weight. The 'dry' tongue weight will be 450 lbs if
the tongue is a 10% of the dry weight. If your trailer weighs more
than 4,500 lbs, then it will be more using the 10%. Most trailers
will be more than 10% (best range is 12%-15%), and even using the
'dry' 4,500 a 12% tongue would be over the normal 500 lb dead weight
rating of most receivers.


Here is a quote from an old thread that has a picture of that posters
receiver rating label


Do I Need to use a WDH with an F350 SRW Powerstroke?
receiverratinglabel receiverlabel

Bedlam wrote:
Look on your receiver tag for your maximums when weight carrying and using weight distribution. I know Ford upgraded the receiver since 2005 - Using mine as an example, it was rated for 500 lbs tongue weight and 5000 lbs trailer weight when weight carrying and 1250 lbs tongue weight and 12,500 lbs trailer weight when using weight distribution.



According to the 2015 towing guide, yours is rated 850 lbs tongue with 8500 lbs trailer without WDH and 1400 lbs tongue with 14,000 lbs trailer with WDH.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/15RV&TT_Ford_SuperDtyPU_r1_Jan12.pdf

Having a WDH with sway control built in would make for a nicer towing experience.

You do not need sway control either as long as you keep plenty of tongue weight... more is better. Many decades ago I put 400 lbs of bargains in the back of a 20' Airstream. At 45 MPH it tried to take me to the scene of the accident but my manually putting on the trailer brakes (only way you could back then) I was able to get stopped and moved half the the stuff to the front. Never made that mistake again.

I guess dealer was just trying to make an extra sale. He swore up and down I needed one. It didn't pass my smell test but wanted to make sure.

What on earth are you planning to put in that Roo that will weigh so much you'll need a WDH with an F-250 diesel?

Short answer, no, you will not need a WDH for a 4,500 lb (dry weight) trailer. Unless you plan to fill it with 10,000 lbs or so of lead. Or gold.

Not only NO, but Heck NO. I have exact same truck except extra cab, not crew. You do not need more weight on the front tires. It will not even get the extra rear spring to hit... do anything.

I have tied my bumper and receiver together so I can put more than 1000 lbs of tongue weight without WD.


Welcome to the forums... lots of usually good free advice although there are too many weight police on here.