Should I Buy The Dealer's Hitch
I'm buying a bumper pull trailer and the dealer is offering to install a weight distribution hitch for $1,000. They said it is an Equal-i-zer, I don't remember which model. It's my first trailer so ...
Forum Discussion
If you get the F250, you will not need a weight distributing Hitch.
If you get the F150, you will need a weight distributing Hitch. Ford requires a WDH for the F150 at tongue weights over 500# and tow weights over 5K#.
There was an online seller a couple years back that was selling the Husky Centerline WDH for about $300 and it can be had with various ratings up to 1200# TW, 12K# tow. Noisy on tight right angle turns from the bars sliding on their brackets. Part of the friction needed for sway control. I like mine but it’s the only one I’ve owned.
If you go the F150 route, get the Max Tow (53C) for the reinforced hitch & a thicker frame.
9000# towing with an F150 is doable, but I kinda concur with the other poster who said 7500# is the F150’s comfortable tow limit. Above that is more work. And really crappy gas mileage. Towing usually makes for crappy gas mileage but pushing the upper limits is worse. Anecdotal evidence here and at related sites is you’ll get 6-9mpg with 9K# towed by an F150. So the choice is also, better non towing mileage with the F150 or bettering towing mileage with the F250.
At 9000#, you’ll likely need the 2&5/16”? ball. Yes, you need big balls!
Sometimes the RV dealer will have used WDHs from upgrade trade-ins, ask about those. Mine was, and they installed it for $300 total (& they did it perfectly) I downloaded the manual and watched YouTubes on it. I didn’t have to reset it going from my 2008 Explorer to my 2019 F150 but did have to after moving the trailer axle from above to below the springs for a near 5” clearance gain.
If you get the F150, you will need a weight distributing Hitch. Ford requires a WDH for the F150 at tongue weights over 500# and tow weights over 5K#.
There was an online seller a couple years back that was selling the Husky Centerline WDH for about $300 and it can be had with various ratings up to 1200# TW, 12K# tow. Noisy on tight right angle turns from the bars sliding on their brackets. Part of the friction needed for sway control. I like mine but it’s the only one I’ve owned.
If you go the F150 route, get the Max Tow (53C) for the reinforced hitch & a thicker frame.
9000# towing with an F150 is doable, but I kinda concur with the other poster who said 7500# is the F150’s comfortable tow limit. Above that is more work. And really crappy gas mileage. Towing usually makes for crappy gas mileage but pushing the upper limits is worse. Anecdotal evidence here and at related sites is you’ll get 6-9mpg with 9K# towed by an F150. So the choice is also, better non towing mileage with the F150 or bettering towing mileage with the F250.
At 9000#, you’ll likely need the 2&5/16”? ball. Yes, you need big balls!
Sometimes the RV dealer will have used WDHs from upgrade trade-ins, ask about those. Mine was, and they installed it for $300 total (& they did it perfectly) I downloaded the manual and watched YouTubes on it. I didn’t have to reset it going from my 2008 Explorer to my 2019 F150 but did have to after moving the trailer axle from above to below the springs for a near 5” clearance gain.
