Heavy tongue weight - change from PP 3P?
I have a 2020 SPORTSMEN® SE 301BHKSE that I tow w/ a 2015 F250 gas engine. I use a Propride 3P hitch. I went to the Cat scales today and found a hitch weight of 1220 lbs (did all 3 weight measurements...
Forum Discussion
Andrewmart wrote:valhalla360 wrote:
Higher hitch weight is almost always better.
Where people get in trouble is they try to take a light duty (low payload) 1/2 ton and then get caught between keeping within the payload but above 10% hitch weight.
With a 3/4 ton, it should be able to handle a 1200lb hitch weight no problem.
5th wheels are some of the nicest towing trailers and run 20-25% hitch weight with no fancy hitches. Semi's are commonly at 50% or higher.
Unless you are having sway or other handling issues, run with it.
I haven't had any swaying problems with it but yesterday I was towing and getting pushed all around. Weather app said wind gusts were up to 25mph. I think more... My wife was in her expedition and also getting pushed around. It's the most I've felt the RV since I got the F250. I know there is nothing I could do to stop the crazy wind hitting our 33 foot long wind sail, but wondered if me being too hitch heavy contributed. Google says too heavy hitch can cause TV steering problems. It wasn't necessity swaying, it was more getting pushed around out there with each gust. In between gusts or when highway changed to head wind, I had no problems.
Too heavy of a tongue weight can cause steering problems if weight is removed from the steer axle. This is what WD hitches are for. Tensioning up the bars distributes some of that tongue weight back to the front axle. Your F250 should be able to handle 1200lbs of tongue weight without a wd hitch but you could improve the tow by making sure your hitch is adjusted properly and transferring enough weight.
