blaczero wrote:
Thanks all, we are looking at the 37' rockwood/flagstaffs with the bunkhouse floor plan.
Yes the WD is weight distribution. Looking at this one https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-Progress-90-00-1000-10K-Hitch/dp/B07RZV1SJ6
We found a nice flagstaff 832bws about 6 hours away in PA (we're in CT) and we mave have a great deal to get it this weekend!
Hi,
You did not say what year, model, setup you have on your F350. I have the F350 in my sig below.
A few things not mentioned,
The older F350's did not have a very high rated receiver. Like this on that was on my 05 before I changed it. Notice it says, 500# in Weight Carrying Mode. It is also limited to 1,250# in weight distributing mode.
If this is your new camper, https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers-and-fifth-wheels/flagstaff-classic/832BWS/5662
That camper starts out with a "dry" tongue weight off of 1,320# before they add a battery and fill the LP tanks which most all dealers will do, or a private owner. With the camper empty filled LP and battery, you can easily hit 1,400# heading out from where you bought it.
That 1,400# tongue weight is over that truck receiver rating in weight carrying which was 500# rated only. If you have a newer F350, they have up'ed the receiver rating a good deal, but it still may not handle a 1,400# weight carrying rating. Check yours.
Next is the drawbar (ball mount) you would need to handle that 1,400# TW in weight carrying mode. That would need a drawbar rated at or above 1,400#. Odds are high, to get one that high in rating, you need to be at 2 1/2 or 3" truck receiver. See here, this is on 3" drop rated ball mount, need a 2 1/2" receiver. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/Draw-Tite/RP45322.html
Reese does make a 5" drop in that same series. You ideally want the camper level when towing. All you can do is buy the right drop fixed ball mount.
And as was said, you need a tow ball rated for the full weight of the camper. While you may be able to reuse the tow ball, you need a proper rated ball mount at ~ $100.
I would not want to use a hollow tube 2" ball mount to tow that size camper. Those hollow 2" ball mounts as not rated very high.
That camper is 37 feet long, 10,000# empty trailer, You have the right truck when it is properly equipped and setup. But, the properly equipped and setup needs to be right.
I myself would not want to use my truck with the big gasser in the front to tow that long, that heavy, without a WD hitch. Yes, I have upgraded the receiver, but still it is not going to be very comfortable tow. Unless your truck has a rear roll bar or the truck bed loaded enough to have the helper springs (overload springs) kiss the frame brackets on top, the body roll in the back of the truck is not a good feeling and on the gasser, the front end will be bobbing around without a WD hitch.
Also, I do not think the 1,600# rated WD Equal-I-zer hitch you are looking at is going to be heavy enough. Once you load the camper, your TW can go north of 1,600# without mush issue with your floor plan. There is a lot of storage up front and getting 300 to 400# of added TW from loading a camper that big, is not hard to do. My 10,000# loaded camper has a 1,600# loaded TW. These big campers need the right hitch setup to work well.
Reese trunnion bar WD hitch with the DC can go to 1,700#
Blue Ox has one that is rated at 2,000#
Hope this helps
John
