Greetings,I am brand new to RVing. I have a 2017 Ford F-150 w/ 3.5L twin turbo and 3.31 gear train. We just bought a 2018 Forest River Heritage Glen 272RL 34 feet long that weighs 7404 empty. The trailer is three weeks old and we take our first trip very soon.The trailer dealer installed a Pro Series weight distribution hitch. They did not install the friction sway control portion. Said they would be reclassified as a manufacturer if they did and that I likely wouldn’t need the sway control.The dealer gave me the remaining parts and instructions. Should I install the sway control ball/plate assembly and use the sway control?Thank you in advance for your more knowledgeable, helpful advice!Ed

short answer yes. Long answer is hell yes. I have the same setup, Pro Series, just remember to unhook the sway bar before backing in to your spot. I have a smaller trailer and I can tell when I don't have it hooked up. Without it every truck that passes me sucks the trailer over, almost unnoticeable when the sway bar is attached. I have a 24' trailer, weighs 2,000 lbs less pulled by a Ram 1500, us your sway control.

Whatever level of trust you have for that dealer, lower it two notches.

Be advised, you will be partially restricted when backing up while turning when using the friction sway control bar. If you turn too sharp while backing, it can cause damage. Slightly backing while turning is ok, but I would remove it once I entered a campground or other parking situations. I have a Pro Series also but i roll at 6000 lbs with a lot of TW (@900 plus #)I have towed with and without the SC and felt no difference. That's because my rig tows true with no sway to begin with. With that being said , I do use a friction sway control. It's there if I need it, hopefully, I won't. I think if I buy another hitch, I would buy a 4 point hitch like an Eqaul-I-Zer or similar , only because it's a proven hitch system that works and you can back up while turning, no need to remove anything.

I don't see a reason to not install it yourself if they gave you the parts. It may help, but certainly won't hurt.

Install it. You'll never be sorry you did.

Newbie - prepping for first trip | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2017
“JMHO here but that truck and TT will setup will need all you can give it”

Yes, goducks, at 34 feet and 7400 pounds dry that set up is close, so very close. Too close for me.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2017
Tail wagging dog.
bobndot
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2017
Yes, thank u goducks10, 2 sway bars on a TT that big.

Ed, now that you are an official RV'er , you'll need to learn how to double check things on your own. We are all in the same boat.
you (we all) need to visit certified scales to really know what we have and where we stand. It's the only way to really know.

I know the Ford 150 is a strong truck with a strong frame but 150's and 1500's are limited in payload as well as tire and wheel ratings , that's the reason to go to a scale. A 10,000 lb tow rating means little unless all the other weights are in check.

Keep in mind , your real hitch weight is about 12% of your real trailers weight. It might be over for those 1000 bars, you will have to see, especially with 2 full gas tanks and maybe one large grp 31 battery or 2 grp 24 batteries on the tongue.
You will see the real TW once you load your personal stuff into the TT. Dealers commonly stock 1000 lb bars because its a very common bar. It might be all he had in stock at the time you took delivery and it doesn't make it right.
( My posted TW was about 450# . My real TW ready to roll is 900# plus . YIKES !! I'm pushing my 1000 lb bars and i'm 1/2 your size :E )

The Pro Series will work as long as you properly set up the hitch with your truck. If I didn't feel safe, i would not be towing with one.
You will have to see how it tows and might need to recheck the procedure to be sure its correct.
There are Youtube videos of how to do it . Make sure the dealer has done this properly. It would not be the first time a dealer screwed it up and scared the $#!t out of someone.
info for general hitch setup

When you visit the scale, you'll need to get 3 weights.

1. TV alone, all packed with everything you plan to bring on a trip, incl. people and dogs etc.
2. Trailer and TV all hitched up.
3. Trailer unhitched from the TV.

If you google 'how to weigh a trailer and truck' you will find youtube videos and many sites to show and explain the process.
Here is one example:
http://learntorv.com/how-to-weigh-a-travel-trailer/

Good luck ED, keep asking questions as you get into it,

Bob

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