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mjmaddox's avatar
mjmaddox
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017

Multiple Tow Vehicles

I looked to see if this question had been asked/answered before and couldn't find anything so here goes.

Currently we tow a 6000 GVWR 24' trailer with a perfectly set up F-150 using a Husky weight distribution hitch and integrated sway control. Have used this setup without change for 2 years.

Just bought a Ford Expedition with heavy duty tow package also with a 5.4 liter V8 engine. We want to occasionally use this vehicle to tow the same trailer. As a test we towed the existing trailer hitch and setup with the Expedition about 45 miles to a nearby campground and the trip was not nearly as stable and smooth as with the F-150. The front of the Expedition was higher than the rear so I know the setup needs an adjustment for this vehicle - I just don't know what I need. Would I use the existing hitch and adjust it for each vehicle each time I use it - not my favorite solution? What do I need to do to easily go from one tow vehicle to the other with the least amount of change to the setups between vehicles? I'm not opposed to purchasing different hitches for each of the vehicles so they are paired but I'm not sure how that would even work.

Ideas? Suggestions?
Thanks!
  • shfd739's avatar
    shfd739
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2017
    At one point we towed with a Land Cruiser and Trailblazer EXT using an Equalizer 4 point hitch. The Land Cruiser was lifted with big tires so it needed a different height than the Trailblazer.

    Anyway the Trailblazer was the main tow rig but when we were taking the Cruiser I would just break the hitch head down and raise the height to what the cruiser needed. They both used the same number of washers.

    If resetting the hitch each time you switch vehicles isnt an option than buying a new head and having dedicated heads for each vehicle is the only option.

    FWIW on our new travel trailer in anticipation of having 2 TVs in the near future we switched to a Blue Ox. I can have the height changed in less than 10mins when needed.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Apr 29, 2017
    Do be aware that there's a reason that hitches are adjustable: not every TV will need the same setup.

    For a time we had two TVs for out 21 foot TT. One of them had a WDH, which helped a lot, the other did not need that (indeed the TV maker explicitly said no WDH), and in fact was more stable than the first. They also had different ball height requirements, thus we had two balls and adapters. So I'm not even a little bit surprised that what worked great with one TV would stink with the other.
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    Apr 29, 2017
    If you only had the Expedition and were buying the same trailer, would you use the same hitch? If the answer is "no," I'd start by upgrading the hitch.
  • nickdarr's avatar
    nickdarr
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2017
    A second Husky hitch set up for the Expedition that would use the existing trailer parts and set up would be easiest and cheapest. If the trailer brackets cannot be left in the same position, it will be a matter of adjusting everthing each time. I don't see a way to put two sets of brackets on the trailer without having some type of issue. My .02.
  • mjmaddox's avatar
    mjmaddox
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2017
    Terryallen - thanks for the feedback.. the current hitch doesn't use chains.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Apr 29, 2017
    You could try just pulling another link in the chain. that will put more weight back on the front axle of the Expe. IF you are lucky, and that is all it takes. Just have to remember when hooking up. One link will make a big difference.

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