I hadn't worried about non W/D towing before - and airbags

Question

I've only towed light utility trailers and our travel trailers. The utility trailers were too light duty and the travel trailers all had weight distribution. We just bought a Cargo Mate enclosed trailer. It has a gross vehicle weight of 7000 lbs (tandem axle). But, looking at my truck's trailer hitch, a class III, it's limit for non W/D is 500/5000. So, before I load more than 3000 lbs into it, I need to fit a W/D hitch and hardware to it. We're moving out of state, but the wife has to get a transfer before we can go. So I've been taking loads to the new house when I've been going to work on it. I'm replacing the breaker panel in the house this trip (Federal Pacific - 1955). So we purposely loaded all of the light stuff this trip. Well under 3000 lbs. I'll be looking for a light duty W/D hitch after I get back.
I did, just yesterday, put in a set of Air Lift airbags to help with the truck's squat. It's not too bad with the W/D hitches, but I was expecting it would be too squatted with the new trailer (before I realized I needed W/D for it). Pain to install on the F150. But she doesn't squat anymore!

lwiddis · Answer

“But, looking at my truck's trailer hitch, a class III, it's limit for non W/D is 500/5000”

No. “Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a 600 lbs. maximum trailer tongue weight (TW). Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.”

verndiesel · Answer

Good news.. Ecoboost should have a class 4 factory receiver. A properly sized WDH with built in sway control still a great investment especially for a 7k enclosed trailer. (as they somehow often end up with 8,500 pounds in them) Air bags are a good supplement to fill after the WDH has been set.

Lots of taxpaying citizens of Cali are moving across the NV or AZ state line to avoid the out of control state government sic taxation & criminal sanctuaries. Might not be your reasoning but best of luck on your move and relocation.

jerem0621 · Answer

I ordered a Pro Series round bar weight distribution hitch with separate friction sway controls the last time I needed a WD hitch.

Most people on here will recommend a WD hitch with integrated sway control...that is well and good but it is not a necessity. You can order a 1,000 lb rated spring bar WD hitch from eTrailer with a sway control bar for under $300.00 and be in business.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

ron3rd · Answer

jerem0621 wrote:I ordered a Pro Series round bar weight distribution hitch with separate friction sway controls the last time I needed a WD hitch. Most people on here will recommend a WD hitch with integrated sway control...that is well and good but it is not a necessity.  You can order a 1,000 lb rated spring bar WD hitch from eTrailer with a sway control bar for under $300.00 and be in business.   Thanks!Jeremiahx2, get a WD hitch.  The purpose of the hitch is to replace the load you took off the front axle by loading the rear axle.  The WD hitch will restore the weight to your front axle.You can even get a cheap WD hitch from Harbor Freight.  They're all based on the original EZ-Lift hitch design. Husky makes another inexpensive one.  They all work the same, ie, spring bars that are suspended by chains off the frame of the trailer.

grit_dog · Answer

If it really is a class 3 I wouldn’t bother with the wdh and jsut go spend a couple hundred on a class 5 hitch, and be done with it. You already got airbags and even with heavy stuff you can probably keep the tongue weight reasonable.

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I hadn't worried about non W/D towing before - and airbags

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