We have a F350 short bed, crew cab TV. Our trailer is a 7,000 lb (loaded), 1000 lb tongue weight 27ft Kodiak (30 ft back to ball). I have read in several threads that wheelbase is a factor in weight distributing hitch setup. We have an EqualIzer hitch with 1,000 lb bars. The F150 rear axle can easily handle the trailer weight without any weight distribution to the front axle. Given the short (at least for an F350O wheelbase, is there anything we need to know to set up the hitch for the new truck? I have already gotten a new receiver setup to match the height of the trailer to the new truck. Do I use the same links to attach the spring bars?

Weight distribution is more than just taking some weight off of the rear axle, it's also about vehicle control. Adding some of that weight back onto the front axle will improve steering and handling performance. Wheelbase is probably more of a concern with sway control and stability than weight distribution. I've always set my weight distribution bar links to where is requires a bit of effort with the cheater bar to lock them into place before putting much weight on the ball at all.

Easiest way to set it up. With the trailer unhooked. Measure the front and rear, from the wheel wells to the top of the tire. Then drop the trailer onto the ball. Measure again. (write all the measurements down) Then attach, and adjust the WDH bars until you have returned the front wheel well to remove at least 1/2 of the height it gained when you dropped the TT onto the ball. Personally. I return the front to the unhooked measurement. Doing this will return lost weight to the front steering axle, and in so doing. Return steering control, and help prevent sway. A raised front end, is a light front end, and a light front end reduces control. In other words. It will wobble all over the road.Word of caution. NEVER raise the rear wheel well HIGHER than it was before you dropped the trailer onto it.

Terryallan has it right. I used same process he describes with good results. Only thing I'd add is to make sure trailer is either level or very slightly nose-down when hitched.

I have never heard of using wheel base as any factor in setting up a weight distributing system. Weight is what they deal with and is pretty much solely the criteria for setting up the system. Weight relates to the attitude of the tow vehicle when hitched up with trailer and truck EVEN (not necessarily level). Different manufacturers have differing instructions about how the hitched truck stance should be when correctly set up. If you don't have an owners manual for your tow vehicle see your manufacturer for instructions for set up.Good luck / Skip

The front axle weight thing is a holdover from the days when we used station wagons and sedans for tow vehicles. The objective was to make each axle share some of the load. GM realizes that a 4,000 pound front axle can lose a few hundred pounds, about the weight of Uncle Phil, and not become dangerously light as some fear. Other brands are making similar discoveries.

Wheelbase and weight distributing hitches | Good Sam Community

Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Jan 16, 2014
Gdetrailer wrote:
That is because this info IS NOT in the manual.
On this point, you are correct. Tongue weight information for the 2014 trucks is not found in the owners manual -- it is found in the 2014 RV and Trailer Towing Guide.

Ron kind of over generalized to boot since the rating is different for 2" hitch receiver and the 2.5" hitch receiver. I believe the 2.5" receiver is at least 1000 lbs without WD.
No, I didn't "over generalize". I specifically referred to the OP's truck when I said: "The OP has a 2014 F-350 diesel. For that vehicle, Ford requires a WDH for tongue weight in excess of 850#."
I didn't say anything about maximum tongue weights for a weight-distributing hitch. The difference between a 2" and 2.5" receiver applies to using a WDH.
Furthermore, according to the Towing Guide, the maximum tongue weight for 2014 F-250/350 vehicles when not using WD is 850# -- not 1000# or more.

You will find all the important FACTS on a little data plate ON THE HITCH. This should be near the hitch receiver...
I was on a Ford dealer's lot about one month ago and looked at the receivers on several new trucks. The only FACT I found was that I could not find weight ratings on any of them.

Ron
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2014
TomG2 wrote:
Yes, and the sky if falling. I knew better than to try to bring new information to the table. I will go with what GM requires. Obviously, some don't.

Look, I just told you what your manual said about setting up a WDH. The rest is up to you. See Ya.
Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Gdetrailer wrote:
Seattle Lion wrote:
Ron Gratz wrote:

The OP has a 2014 F-350 diesel. For that vehicle, Ford requires a WDH for tongue weight in excess of 850#.

Ron

Ron,

I went through the manual for my F350. I can't find a reference to the requirement for a WDH at any weight. I did find the directions you quoted and they are truly helpful and we will set up the new truck using them. However, it doesn't make sense to me that Ford would require a WDH at any weight.

That is because this info IS NOT in the manual.

Ron kind of over generalized to boot since the rating is different for 2" hitch receiver and the 2.5" hitch receiver. I believe the 2.5" receiver is at least 1000 lbs without WD.

You will find all the important FACTS on a little data plate ON THE HITCH. This should be near the hitch receiver...

I found a Ford Publication that covers my vehicle (2014 F350 diesel). On page 3 it says the max hitch receiver weight for my truck is actually 850 lbs without a WDH and 1,250 lbs with one (the footnote lowers it from 1,400 lbs if you have a 2 1/2 to 2" reducer, which I believe we do).

I apologize, Ron.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jan 15, 2014
Seattle Lion wrote:
Ron Gratz wrote:

The OP has a 2014 F-350 diesel. For that vehicle, Ford requires a WDH for tongue weight in excess of 850#.

Ron

Ron,

I went through the manual for my F350. I can't find a reference to the requirement for a WDH at any weight. I did find the directions you quoted and they are truly helpful and we will set up the new truck using them. However, it doesn't make sense to me that Ford would require a WDH at any weight.

That is because this info IS NOT in the manual.

Ron kind of over generalized to boot since the rating is different for 2" hitch receiver and the 2.5" hitch receiver. I believe the 2.5" receiver is at least 1000 lbs without WD.

You will find all the important FACTS on a little data plate ON THE HITCH. This should be near the hitch receiver...
Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Ron Gratz wrote:

The OP has a 2014 F-350 diesel. For that vehicle, Ford requires a WDH for tongue weight in excess of 850#.

Ron

Ron,

I went through the manual for my F350. I can't find a reference to the requirement for a WDH at any weight. I did find the directions you quoted and they are truly helpful and we will set up the new truck using them. However, it doesn't make sense to me that Ford would require a WDH at any weight.
Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Ron Gratz wrote:
Seattle Lion wrote:
Thank you! Yes I do. Can you post the link to get to that page?

2014 SuperDuty Owner Manual -- Page 190

Ron

Thanks! I noticed that the instructions to set the trailer brake controller is very different from what my dealer taught me. Ford says to go 25 to 30 mph and then manually hit the controller. The objective is to set the offset so that the trailer wheels are just before they lock (Ford says 6.0 is a good starting point). On our F150 we set the controller to what "felt" best...no pushing or pulling sensation; which was 1.5. Any thoughts on setting the trailer brake controller?
Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Seattle Lion wrote:
Thank you! Yes I do. Can you post the link to get to that page?

2014 SuperDuty Owner Manual -- Page 190

Ron
Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
TomG2 wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
I would really like to see the language in the GM manual, on how to setup a WDH on their vehicles. It's hard to imagine it's ok for the front end to be sticking up in the air, with the headlights shining in the tree tops.

What kind of pickup are you driving that makes the front end "stick up in the air"? On my 2500HD, the front end rise is less than one inch with over 700 pounds of tongue weight. The manuals are available online.

Ford sells the most pickups in the U.S.
Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Ron Gratz wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
---The only change is that now. The just tell you to return at least half of what you took off. Before it was all, or more.
Terryallan is correct.

The OP has a 2014 F-350 diesel. For that vehicle, Ford requires a WDH for tongue weight in excess of 850#.

And, when using a WDH, Ford specifies:

When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use the following procedure:
1. Park the loaded vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
2. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that the height of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the fender is approximately halfway between H1 and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward your vehicle. If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat Steps 2-6.

I assume the OP will want to follow Ford's specifications rather than those of GM.

Ron

Thank you! Yes I do. Can you post the link to get to that page?
TomG2
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Yes, and the sky if falling. I knew better than to try to bring new information to the table. I will go with what GM requires. Obviously, some don't.