WDH question - needed or not

[Tennessee_Nomad]

I recently upgraded my TV... considerably... I went from a 2004 F150 stx 4x4 with a 4.6L engine, the one in my sig, to a 2008 F350 Lariat 4x4 Super Duty with 4.10 rear and 6.8L Triton V10. I used a WDH on my F150 because I was real close to my max weights. Now I am nowhere close. Do I need to use the weight distribution? Should I still use it for stability sake?



Love the 1 ton! Cant wait to tow with it! It's kind of overkill for my camper but we camp a lot in the North Carolina mountains and the 4.6L didn't like climbing the 6-8% grades. Plus we can upgrade the camper if we choose to at some point in the future.

Thanks for your input...
-DH

Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

[jerem0621]

myredracer wrote:

Tennessee_Nomad wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Don't be surprised if the Dually climbs the grades at the same RPM and MPH

I hope it does a little better than the 4.6L with 3.55 gear.:h

Yeah, our last TV was a 2000 F-150 with the 4.6L and 3.55 gears. It was a dog on hills and could only make 30-35 mph up Grants Pass (6%) with our old 5K lb TT. Our V10 F250 with the 4.10 gears is awesome and waaay better than the old F150 and easily maintained 60 mph Stevens Pass (7% at steepest IIRC) with a 7K lb TT.

That's good to know! My 5.4 had just about 30 HP less than my 99 V10 and the difference was negligible how the truck actually tugged on the trailer. Looks like a HP difference of well over 100 from the 4.6 to the 3 valve V10.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Tennessee_Nomad]

myredracer wrote:
It was a dog on hills and could only make 30-35 mph up Grants Pass (6%) with our old 5K lb TT.

Yeah, I can relate to that. We took ours through the Nantahala National Forest in western NC last fall (8% grade) and I thought the motor was going to fly out of the truck the rpm's were so high for so long. I think I left finger prints in the steering wheel! :E

That's what prompted the new purchase. Didn't like my TV dictating where we could go.

[Tennessee_Nomad]

Thanks for the input. My hitch will carry it (16000lb "weight distributing" w/1600lb tongue weight - 8000lb "weight carrying" w/800 lb tongue weight) but I think I'll stay with the WD, it has integrated sway control as well so it HAS to be much nicer, and safer, ride.

[myredracer]

Tennessee_Nomad wrote:

jerem0621 wrote:
Don't be surprised if the Dually climbs the grades at the same RPM and MPH

I hope it does a little better than the 4.6L with 3.55 gear.:h

Yeah, our last TV was a 2000 F-150 with the 4.6L and 3.55 gears. It was a dog on hills and could only make 30-35 mph up Grants Pass (6%) with our old 5K lb TT. Our V10 F250 with the 4.10 gears is awesome and waaay better than the old F150 and easily maintained 60 mph Stevens Pass (7% at steepest IIRC) with a 7K lb TT.

[aftermath]

You probably do not NEED the WD. But, how are you dealing with sway? These big trucks can handle the hitch weight but I would be concerned about trailer sway which can still happen even when it is hitched to a tank.

I would suggest that you use the WD, especially if it has integrated sway control.

[goducks10]

Looking at how far back the axles are on your TT and the weight carry capacity of the DRW I wouldn't use one as long as the TW doesn't exceed the receivers capacity. I'd upgrade the receiver before I'd go WD. Your setup would be like 99% of hotshot drivers delivering TT's.

[Tvov]

I don't use the spring bars on my WD hitch when towing to a couple local campgrounds, which are within less than 5 miles over local (slow) roads. When planning on highway travel, I hook everything up. You might be able to greatly reduce the spring tension on the bars. Basically, play with the adjustments on your hitch a bit.

[LarryJM]

You might not actually need it from a WD standpoint, but I would use one with integral sway since IMO that should always be used for TT towing.

Larry

[APT]

The truck probably does not need it. The receiver may. Look for a sticker on the receiver with possibly two ratings like mine has, with and without WDH.

If you have a WDH with integrated sway control, I would use it.

[the_happiestcam]

Nice looking truck - deserves to be in your sig

[JBarca]

Tennessee_Nomad wrote:
I recently upgraded my TV... considerably... I went from a 2004 F150 stx 4x4 with a 4.6L engine, the one in my sig, to a 2008 F350 Lariat 4x4 Super Duty with 4.10 rear and 6.8L Triton V10. I used a WDH on my F150 because I was real close to my max weights. Now I am nowhere close. Do I need to use the weight distribution? Should I still use it for stability sake?

Thanks for your input...
-DH

I have your same engine,and rear axle. If you are still on the 5 speed Torque shift, then we have that as well. I'm on 18" tires. You have a real good puller there and the cracked spark plug fix the time new plugs come around. Seems it took them 3 tries to get it right. The first heads spit plugs, the next set broke plugs and yours are just about right...

By 2008, I believe yours has the 2 1/2" receiver from the factory. Odds are high it may well be rated for the dead weight of your camper. Check it as if not you need WD just to make the receiver work.

That said, 1 ton or not, I find towing with WD a whole lot more enjoyable and stable. Even on a 800# loaded TW as I have some trailers like this.

While your truck may not require WD, odds are high you will find it will tow smoother and less front end movement with it when towing a TT.

Good luck with the new ride.

John

[Tennessee_Nomad]

jerem0621 wrote:
Don't be surprised if the Dually climbs the grades at the same RPM and MPH

I hope it does a little better than the 4.6L with 3.55 gear.:h

[jerem0621]

Yes, use WD.

Don't be surprised if the Dually climbs the grades at the same RPM and MPH... My V10 dually did the exact same as my F150 on the same grades at the same RPM.

Nice truck btw!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[robsouth]

What is the tongue weight rating of the hitch with and without WDH. That would be my consideration. Compare that to the tongue weight of your trailer and you have your answer. I would still use WDH as I pull a 22' trailer with Dodge Ram 3500 dually with Cummins Diesel. Just feels better to me.