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NEWBIE-SWAY CONTROL

Uncle_Jae
Explorer
Explorer
My wife and I are planning to begin fulltiming within the next two months, We plan to pull a Grand Design 2500RL gvrw of 7500#'s with a 2014 Ford Expedition 4x4 Limited with their heavy duty tow package. My original research led me to the Equalizer WD hitch but my recent readings have me considering the Hensley Arrow or ProPride.
First am I asking to much of the Expedition. Then any thoughts on hitches would be appreciated.

Thanks
Uncle Jae
14 REPLIES 14

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
Just fwiw, we're very pleased with the ride with the 10k Equalizer after the first leg of our trip with it. No waggle whatsoever. I went against the laws of the flying spaghetti monster and rubbed a little marine grease on the L bracket friction points while rubbing some on the required socket pivot points. Then tightened the socket nuts to 65 ft/lbs. The hitch was silent. With "our" rig, I think I'll continue this practice. Others may need the extra friction of dry L brackets to keep things in line. Equalizer says lubing the L brackets is not required. It will decrease the effectiveness of it's built in sway control.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Uncle_Jae
Explorer
Explorer
Thank You one and all. I believe with my previous research, and considering the varied opinions given, I would feel comfortable with the Expedition and an equalizer 10K hitch. I'll let you know how this turns out.
Thanks Again,
Uncle Jae

Est id, quidquid fit. It is what it is.

Rather_b_campin
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 6 month old ProPride sitting in my garage since I upgraded to a fifth wheel if you're interested.

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
Our 5.4L sits in an F250 but we've been towing an 8500~lb 5th wheel until last year when we bought an 8500~lb TT. The list of tow vehicles is in my sig. I have no regrets. My 5.4L F250 is the first truck I've owned in a long time that I haven't been anxious to trade for something else. If we lived in or towed in the Rockies, I'd want another diesel. Around the southeast, the 5.4L does well for us.
I just bought an Equalizer 4 point 10k hitch today to replace my Reese HP Straightline hitch. No drill installation and made in USA. Go to etrailer.com and read reviews on it. I'll find out for myself Sunday when we head out for a week.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Explorer II
Being full-timers I'm assuming you will be loaded down pretty well. Since you trailer is smaller (less storage) you will most likely have the SUV packed to the gills. I'd be concerned about being over the payload capacity of the Expedition if you went with either the Hensley or ProPride.
If ethics are poor at the top, that behavior is copied down through the organization - Robert Noyce

2018 Chevy Silverado 3500 SRW Duramax
2019 Coachmen Chaparral 298RLS

falconbrother
Explorer II
Explorer II
I think that newer 5.4 in the expedition will tow fine. Any good quality anti-sway hitch will work good as long as it's set up properly. Let a professional do it for you.

boosTT
Explorer
Explorer
That is working your truck hard. The Hensley may make it manageable.

Wills6_4_Hemi
Explorer
Explorer
Hensley, you will not regret it JMHO.

Rover_Bill
Explorer II
Explorer II
I highly recommend the ReCurve R6 hitch. It's more heavy duty than the Equalizer but not as heavy (or expensive) as ProPride/Hensley. On my setup, it gave me near perfect weight distribution with no sway. IMHO, it's the best hitch for a 7K TT.
2015 GMC Canyon 3.6L V6 4X4 TowHaul SLE ExtCab Bronze
2016 Keystone Passport GT 2670BH
ReCurve R6 hitch, DirecLink brake controller
2005 Suzuki C50 2006 Suzuki S40

Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Explorer II
Just an FYI, the weight of the ProPride hitch is about 200 lbs.
If ethics are poor at the top, that behavior is copied down through the organization - Robert Noyce

2018 Chevy Silverado 3500 SRW Duramax
2019 Coachmen Chaparral 298RLS

Terryallan
Explorer II
Explorer II
In truth. The 5.4 is a tough engine and toes great. And if you have the 3.73 Your weight is well inside your capacitys
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Hopefully Uncle would have concluded similar.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

yillb
Explorer
Explorer
Weights aside, that's a lot to ask of the underpowered 5.4 they put in to those expiditions. I tow 7600 pounds with a hemi, and would never consider long term with it, in fact, i'm shopping for something bigger now. I'm sure it tows it just fine, but when you start putting thousands of miles on it , hudnreds of miles a day, you're going to likely hate it. Like, really hate it. And that's before you even look at weights. My trailer just about maxes out my pickup, so I can't imagine you not being right at limit, or even over with what you're talking weights wise. I'd urge you to look into a pickup, even a halfton , the f150's seem to be the rage with towing these days, and will likely cost less than, or just as much as your expo.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
What is the payload and max hitch weight for the Ford? What weight will you carry in the SUV? Loaded and wet what is the TT's tongue weight?
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad