Travel trailer / tow vehicle combo question

The WD hitch transfers load--not tongue weight--to the front of the TV and some to the TT axles. What it doesn't do is reduce the tongue weight of the trailer. That weight is still there, and it still counts as weight carried by the tow vehicle's receiver.

The weight transferred by the WD hitch is a function of the stiffness of the spring bars, not the amount of tongue weight.

There is a long discussion about this in a sticky somewhere.

rjstractor wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
An important distinction:
- Max Hitch Weight
- Max Payload

Are each checked independently.

Let's say:
- WDH has a 1000lb limit
- Truck has a 1500lb limit
- You load 1000lb of people and gear into the truck and the trailer (ready to roll) has a 1000lb hitch weight

Your hitch weight is fine but you are over payload by 500lb. (also would want to check rear axle rating at the same time)

Yet another important factor is that if the WD hitch is adjusted correctly, the entire hitch weight is not carried by the vehicle alone- a portion of that hitch weight is transferred back onto the trailer axles. In setting up an equipment trailer a few years ago at work I verified on an approximately 1200 lb hitch weight, about 300 lbs was transferred back to the trailer and the same amount to the front axle. This of course will vary by the individual setup, but the end result should be that the tow vehicle doesn't carry the entire hitch weight. After it's all set up it's important to verify that the rear axle rating is not exceeded.

The description above is the best I've seen in support of the whole "idea or theory" regarding the use of W.D. hitches. It spreads the weight across all the axles for a more controlled and balanced ride. I know this is a bit of Hi-Jack going on here on my part.....but very well described.

valhalla360 wrote:
An important distinction:
- Max Hitch Weight
- Max Payload

Are each checked independently.

Let's say:
- WDH has a 1000lb limit
- Truck has a 1500lb limit
- You load 1000lb of people and gear into the truck and the trailer (ready to roll) has a 1000lb hitch weight

Your hitch weight is fine but you are over payload by 500lb. (also would want to check rear axle rating at the same time)

Yet another important factor is that if the WD hitch is adjusted correctly, the entire hitch weight is not carried by the vehicle alone- a portion of that hitch weight is transferred back onto the trailer axles. In setting up an equipment trailer a few years ago at work I verified on an approximately 1200 lb hitch weight, about 300 lbs was transferred back to the trailer and the same amount to the front axle. This of course will vary by the individual setup, but the end result should be that the tow vehicle doesn't carry the entire hitch weight. After it's all set up it's important to verify that the rear axle rating is not exceeded.

Terryallan wrote:

Even if you manage to load the Tt to 6500lb, and I seriously doubt you will. Your hitch weight will only be 780LB. Leaving 920lb of payload for you, and your stuff in the Expe.

You have to understand. there are many on this forum that think you need a F350 dually diesel to tow a 200lb lawnmower. You don't

I actually agree with you that, at least as usage is described, the Expedition is likely sufficient. There are always options that are more capable/powerful, but that does mean they are needed or even better.

That said, I would caution the confidence in using these numbers. My sense is that the 1,700 is an internet number, not a real one. The math has to be done on the ACTUAL payload of the particular vehicle in question - using a number off the internet is pointless, as payload rarely actually meets that number unless you have the stripped down basic version of the vehicle (and, sometimes, it can be quite a bit lower).

Similarly, 12% might be the tongue weight, but it might be higher (it all depends on trailer configuration and loading). If you have a loaded trailer and know it is 12%, then you can use that number. Going off spec, however, I would argue that using 14-15% gives one more confidence that they can stay within their projected ratings.

Again, I agree that the Exp is likely sufficient, but I also feel one is best to work with real numbers when available, and more conservative estimates when not. Using an internet published payload (which is likely high) and a 12% tounge weight (which might be low) is more aggressive than I would want to be when purchasing new equipment without actual numbers to work with.

Terryallan wrote:

A WDH simply returns lost weight to the steering axle (front end). That allows a heavier hitch weight. With a payload of 1700lb in the Expe. You have plenty of room for the hitch weight. plus as you say. there are just 2 of you.

An important distinction:
- Max Hitch Weight
- Max Payload

Are each checked independently.

Let's say:
- WDH has a 1000lb limit
- Truck has a 1500lb limit
- You load 1000lb of people and gear into the truck and the trailer (ready to roll) has a 1000lb hitch weight

Your hitch weight is fine but you are over payload by 500lb. (also would want to check rear axle rating at the same time)

And yet there are days at my job when even the 2017 F550 power stroke isn’t enough truck for what I need to do.

2Rad4U wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
You have to understand. there are many on this forum that think you need a F350 dually diesel to tow a 200lb lawnmower. You don't

Now you tell me...

And I was wondering why I go up all those hills at 65mph @ 1800 rpm. Like towing a wash rag.............but at least it's not an F-350......

Terryallan wrote:
You have to understand. there are many on this forum that think you need a F350 dually diesel to tow a 200lb lawnmower. You don't

Now you tell me...

Firetraveler wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
So what's the payload of the truck?

As mentioned, hitch weight should be up around 800-900lbs, so if not a beefed up version, you will likely be over the payload limit.

Engine should have plenty of power to pull.

Payload says it’s 1700 lbs
Doeas a wd hitch help ?

A WDH simply returns lost weight to the steering axle (front end). That allows a heavier hitch weight. With a payload of 1700lb in the Expe. You have plenty of room for the hitch weight. plus as you say. there are just 2 of you.
Again. you have more than enough TV in the Expe for the TT you are looking at. IF you already have the Expe. This is a easy test. Hook up and tow it. Judge for yourself if you need more TV or not. I will say. Our 2002 Expe towed our 27' 6000lb TT as well as the 2004 F150, and it was great.

Even if you manage to load the Tt to 6500lb, and I seriously doubt you will. Your hitch weight will only be 780LB. Leaving 920lb of payload for you, and your stuff in the Expe.

You have to understand. there are many on this forum that think you need a F350 dually diesel to tow a 200lb lawnmower. You don't

carringb wrote:

Firetraveler wrote:
After some good advice I went to the expy forums.
Seems there is issues with payload as some have mentioned here.
All great advice here

Looking at pickups I think will be a better option for what I’m doing.

It's not necessarily pickup vs SUV. It's more of a 1/2-ton platform problem. Most 150/1500s would be in the same boat.

Some lighter-trim versions of the Expy might be just fine for you. But Platinum model, probably not.

No matter the vehicle you are shopping, be sure to look at the payload sticker on the door jamb. That will be accurate for the exact vehicle you are looking at. Shopping off "available payload" specifications can be misleading, since there is so much variation in configurations and trim levels. An F150 can have as little as 1,200 pounds (Raptor Supercrew) to 3,200 pounds for a 2WD regular cab max payload.

True stuff there. I didn't see the passenger load mentioned. If your family fits on a bench seat, you would be good with Expy or crew cab truck. I've never compared the seating areas between an Expy and my crew cab (only sat back there, once) but it seemed like a lot of room available. I'm toughing it out with a 5.4 V8 but haven't encountered anywhere I couldn't get to (within reason). A bigger diesel would be the towing king, especially on longer trips.