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big_russ's avatar
big_russ
Explorer
May 19, 2013

new bigger tv, still need WD htich?

Just went from a midsize gmc canyon crewcab TV to full size ford f150.I have a rockwood minilight single axle that weighs 3000 max. trailer is a 20 footer. The f150 is a whole lot more truck, I was hoping that I wont have to use the WD hitch with this truck. Wonder if I will?
  • I don't think the advantage of WD is ONLY with leveling the load. I like the way the WD stiffens the vertical movement of the hitch. In other words, dips and bumps in the road don't make the rig bounce up and down so much when it's in use. I like the idea of sway control as well. Even when I was towing a light 2,700 lb. single axle trailer with an Expedition, I could tell a big improvement with WD and sway bar.
  • Forget the built-in sway control. That's only for when you screw up or really extreme situations when you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. Nice to have, but a good sway control WDH is what you need if you need it. Don't think you do with that trailer but everybody's sensitivity to sway is different. I know another guy with the same trailer/truck as mine who insists he needs sway control. Weird.
  • AFAIK Ford hitches have a max of 500# tongue weight (max 5000# trailer weight) when NOT using a WDH. Mine is almost exactly 500# (4000# trailer loaded), so I don't use a WDH and it runs and handles fine. The front end doesn't feel loosy-goosey at all 'cause only about 200# is taken off it (CAT scale). And I got LT truck tires to reduce any rear wheel squirm.

    As for sway, not a problem, but that may depend more on the trailer and you.
  • Dtaylor wrote:
    I am far from a hitch expert but the first question that comes to mind is What are you going to use for sway control? Do you need sway control and is it intergraded into your hitch?


    the new truck has built in sway control.its part of the tow package.sensors in the truck correct for the sway.
    what im looking at is size and weight of trailer.
  • I am far from a hitch expert but the first question that comes to mind is What are you going to use for sway control? Do you need sway control and is it intergraded into your hitch?