I know this is a tiresome question. I've been researching this off and on for days and each new post gets me more confused and unsure.I've never towed before so I WANT to get a WDH but my bank account says no.I need to tow my RV from Houston to Phoenix or I will keep incurring more lot rent fees and hotel costs (killing me!) but I'm a bit cash poor at the moment.F150 towing capacity 7,900 if I'm reading the guide correctly. Tow package (not max tow though it has integrated trailer brake control). 5.0L, 3.55 gear ratio. GCWR 13,500.Camper 4,500 dry/6,500 max. I don't have a lot of stuff and plan to empty all tanks. Tongue weight 540.Can I get by with just sway bars? I won't tow often at least this year, just this one move.Thanks,Joel

Weight Distribution bars are designed to do just that ... distribute the extra weight on the hitch from the back tires to the front, making all 4 tires have equal, or about equal weight riding on them.To much weight on the rear tires and not enough on the front causes 2 things to happen. One, your headlights will be in the trees. Two, you will have very loose and light steering. The drive will make you feel like the front is floating and the steering is not as responsive as it should be. And actually, what you "feel" is absolutely right. You don't have as much steering control. Think of it as a bicycle doing a wheelie. Rear tire is doing all the load, and front has no, or little load, and you loose control of steering. And I suppose the third thing that could happen, depending on your suspension, the rear tires could bottom out with the extra weight hanging over the rear bumper.You won't know for sure until try towing it.

A 7,900 tow rating for an F150 suggests that it is not all that 'beefed' up a version of the F150 (that depends, somewhat, on model year, but many newer models go much higher than that). With that in mind, your first place to look would be your hitch. It is highly possible that a class III hitch on a vehicle like that might have a weight carrying limit of 500 pounds (anything over requiring a WDH). Even travelling light, your trailer is likely to weigh as much as 5,500 pounds, and your hitch will likely be in the 600-800 range. How your truck will handle is questionable, but can only be determined by trying it out. If your hitch is limited to 500 pounds of direct weight, however, you are risking catastrophic failure by exceeding that significantly.If your hitch is rated for it, you can try and see what happens if you want to. For me, however, I would not want to pull 1,200 miles with a set-up like that.

I have always used that type of hitch and as described above it makes a large difference in the wat your TV handles. BUT there are other considerations from wet pavement to high winds. These elements can be controlled far better. One last thing you can always increase the torsion bars for a bigger trailer.

I would look at it as a moving expense insurance policy. Better to get there safely. Sell it if you want when you get to where you are going. Look on Craigs List for a used one if you can. I would not enjoy a 1200 mile drive without one.

Mickeyfan0805 wrote: It is highly possible that a class III hitch on a vehicle like that might have a weight carrying limit of 500 pounds (anything over requiring a WDH). Thanks. I believe it's a class IV. 2011 F150. Short bed.

WDH needed for towing? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 05, 2018
WannaKatana wrote:
I know this is a tiresome question. I've been researching this off and on for days and each new post gets me more confused and unsure.

I've never towed before so I WANT to get a WDH but my bank account says no.

I need to tow my RV from Houston to Phoenix or I will keep incurring more lot rent fees and hotel costs (killing me!) but I'm a bit cash poor at the moment.

F150 towing capacity 7,900 if I'm reading the guide correctly. Tow package (not max tow though it has integrated trailer brake control). 5.0L, 3.55 gear ratio. GCWR 13,500.

Camper 4,500 dry/6,500 max. I don't have a lot of stuff and plan to empty all tanks. Tongue weight 540.

Can I get by with just sway bars? I won't tow often at least this year, just this one move.

Thanks,

Joel

Thing is. you can get a WDH for around $150.00. they are not that expensive. May be less than you are paying for a storage area.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Oct 05, 2018
Your hitch is likely only rated for 500 pounds of tongue weight without a WDH. If, and that's a big if, your tongue weight is really only 540 pounds I would probably try it. But, I have been towing all manner of trailers for years. If you've never towed anything before I wouldn't recommend it.
Not only should you probably get a WDH, you need to (or have someone) set it up correctly. This may involve doing some practice towing around locally before taking off across the country. Don't expect to put the hitch on in the parking lot of the store you bought it from and then leave for several states away. It doesn't work that way.
campigloo
Explorer
Oct 05, 2018
This is a long shot but would uhaul maybe rent you one? How about a local rv dealer? They may have a used one they want to get rid of. Craigslist? Where do you live, maybe someone near you on this forum would lend or sell a hitch they no longer use.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 05, 2018
Intentional, knowingly etc. overloading...will cause much bleeding, bgum.
bgum
Explorer
Oct 05, 2018
You are over weight and need WD hitch. It will greatly improve your towing experience. Without it a court or even your insurance will make you pay through the nose if you have a accident.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 05, 2018
For the safety of you, me and others...me too!
WannaKatana
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018
I hope I'm reading this correctly as my having a max tow rating of 8,000 pounds.

Moderator edit to fix picture URL.
bikendan
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018
WannaKatana wrote:
Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
It is highly possible that a class III hitch on a vehicle like that might have a weight carrying limit of 500 pounds (anything over requiring a WDH).

Thanks. I believe it's a class IV. 2011 F150. Short bed.

Your hitch receiver is only rated to 500lbs/5000lbs towing, without a WDH, so you'll be over with that trailer.
I own a 2014 3.5 Ecoboost F150 with the Max Tow package and I would NEVER tow your trailer without a WDH.
Especially since you've never towed before.
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018
Are you going back to Houston? Maybe you can borrow one from a member or like someone said, check craigslist or offerup.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2018
Towing capacity isn't the only number that determines this need! Shifting weight back to the TT and forward to the TV's front wheels is essential for good braking and steering. And towing "just a little" is also unsafe.

First time some clown left turns in front of you and you stop in time and straight you'll see its essential. Happened to me TWICE in the last year.

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WDH needed for towing?

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