This is what happens when you have too much tongue weight...

Shorter hitch = less weight on the axle and less stress on the frame.
I used my F450 with 18,000 trailer and I had it loaded to the degree when front wheels were barely having any load and I had to use trailer brakes alone to have control during slowing down.
The frame had not even indication of being stress, although C&C frames are different that those made for normal beds.
Bottom line, I am not buying Ford frame can bend like that, even less that it was drive able.