Initial Setup - E-350 and Wildwood 29BHBS

[lightning60]

Hello-

I'm looking for some advice before I purchase additional components to get set up to tow.

We are departing North Carolina in one month for a year of full-time boondocking across America. This is the first travel trailer that our family has owned. Our rough plan is to stay approximately one week at a location and then do a 5-6 hour drive to a new location. I'm assuming that we will drive 15000 miles in the next year. I have plenty of experience towing, having towed large stock trailers and driven tractor-trailers.

Tow Vehicle:
1998 Ford E-350 Club Wagon 15 passenger (with hi-top)
6.8L V10
Currently 3.73 rear gears
Data from owner's manual:
Max GCWR - 15000 lbs
Max Trailer Weight - 8600 lbs
Max Trailer Frontal Area - 60 sq ft

I am having 4.10 rear gears installed next week, the owners manual states the following for that van configuration:
Max GCWR - 18500 lbs
Max Trailer Weight - 11000 lbs

Travel Trailer:
2011 Forest River Wildwood 29BHBS
Data from stickers on trailer
Dry Weight - 7052 lbs
GVWR - 11035 lbs
Max Cargo Weight - 3945 lbs

My Questions:

Do I need a weight distributing hitch?

If I do not need a weight distributing hitch, do I need a sway control device?

Obviously my first priority is the safety of my family. Secondary is cost, every dollar we spend now shortens the length of our big adventure on the road.

I will be taking delivery of the travel trailer on Tuesday April 11. My plan is to have them fill the fresh water tank and use an adjustable height hitch to get the combination level. I will weigh the van and travel trailer as-is to get a starting point on my way home.

[lightning60]

DiskDoctr wrote:
Just a few mins, but this should get you started....

WDH- YES, definitely.

Sway control- yes, it will help, especially with that big wind catch from side winds (ie bridges, open fields, etc)

Inspect your vehicle's hitch and frame. Do it TWICE! If you're not sure, get a good mechanic to check it. What is the weight rating on the hitch, condition of frame, hitch, bolts?

Age has a tendency to be not-kind to steel. You'll be hooking over 5-1/2 TONS of weight behind you, make sure it is all ready for it.

Enjoy!

Thanks DiskDoctr! I just finished installing my brand new receiver hitch from Curt. It is rated for a trailer weight of 10000 lbs w/o and 12000 lbs with a weight distributing hitch. 1000 lbs tongue load w/o and 1200 lbs with weight distributing hitch. I inspected the frame and rear suspension, everything looks like it is in great shape. This van did not have a hitch installed on it previously.

[downtheroad]

lightning60 wrote:

My Questions:

Do I need a weight distributing hitch?
Yes, with integrated sway control.

Consider one of these: (I've owned all three)

Equal-i-zer
Reece Dual Cam Strait Line
Blue Ox SwayPro (my favorite).

Enjoy your new adventure.

[DiskDoctr]

Just a few mins, but this should get you started....

WDH- YES, definitely.

Sway control- yes, it will help, especially with that big wind catch from side winds (ie bridges, open fields, etc)

Inspect your vehicle's hitch and frame. Do it TWICE! If you're not sure, get a good mechanic to check it. What is the weight rating on the hitch, condition of frame, hitch, bolts?

Age has a tendency to be not-kind to steel. You'll be hooking over 5-1/2 TONS of weight behind you, make sure it is all ready for it.

Make sure trailer's brakes are in A-1 shape, that is a LOT of weight to stop.

10k is a magic number the world is a different place when you start hauling that kind of weight. Stay 50-55mph max take your time, no hurries, etc.

Sounds like a great adventure coming your way! A little prep will go a long ways to avoiding on the road issues.

Enjoy!

[camp-n-family]

You may or may not need a wd hitch, it will depend on your tongue weight and receiver rating, but you're probably going to want one. The ride will be better and more stable. For the amount of travel you plan, a few hundred bucks for a decent wd hitch with built in sway control (Equil-i-zer, Reese dual cam etc) would be a wise investment.