towing without a weight distribution

[Npdchief07]

I have a 2019 Wildwood X-lite 30ft travel trailer. I am towing with a F350. I currently use an EAZ lift set up with weight distribution and sway control. One of the weight distribution bars won't stay in. It keeps coming out of the (not sure what you would call it) hitch. It appears that the retaining clip is bad. I know it can be replaced and is a cheap part but I am not handy.

Is it okay to tow my trailer (approx. 5500 lbs) without the weight distribution or sway control?

[CavemanCharlie]

Hannibal wrote:
If its tongue weight is within the rating of the hitch without WD, I wouldn’t even bother with WD. Our travel trailers are delivered new all over the country by one ton pickups using a simple ball mount. Just my humble non professional non advisory opinion.

I agree.

For gods sake you have a F-350. You could move a house.

If you can't handle a few miles, on a wind free day, to the place to get it fixed then you should not be on the road at all.

I don't see why you would need one at all. But, I am an old farm hand that moved many, many, livestock around all day long without a WDH. I didn't even know there was such a thing until I joined this site.

[Hannibal]

If its tongue weight is within the rating of the hitch without WD, I wouldn’t even bother with WD. Our travel trailers are delivered new all over the country by one ton pickups using a simple ball mount. Just my humble non professional non advisory opinion.

[ppine]

Get it fixed.
Plenty of rigs end up on their sides because someone "did not need a WD hitch."

[1320Fastback]

Id say your good to go. 5k with a 1 ton shouldn't be a problem as long as your within hitch rating.

I'm a non WD user too. This year we have over 7,000 miles towing so far.

[KD4UPL]

I would guess the truck might ride better without the WDH. More weight on the rear of an F350 should soften the ride. If your trailer weighs what you say you can't have more than about 800 pounds of tongue weight. I would think your factory truck hitch is rated to carry that.

[thirtydaZe]

I have a RAM 3500. recently towed my 38' camper, about 1100 tongue weight without the WDH. was super bouncy, could've been the road, but the rear of my truck felt very 'soft.'

[philh]

I've towed my slightly lighter trailer with an F150 without the WD on. I prefer to have them on, but especially for short trips, I don't bother.

I'll echo the previous comments, contact the mfg. When you push the bars in, do you hear it click? Are you pushing them in at 90° to their installed position?

[Wishbone51]

My bars come out as well because the clip has a bit too much friction going into the hole. Not sure if this is your clip issue, but when this happens to me, I shoot it with WD-40, or just push the clip in. Once I have it in, it never seems to pop out.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
As was mentioned, you have enough truck, but with the trailer being a lightweight, you may find that it will get squirrelly without a WD/sway system in place, and apparently you believe the part to be a simple fix. Why not contact the manufacturer to ask for assistance on getting back to what you are used to and familar with?
eaz-lift

That should also be an easy and cheap fix on any RV repair shop.

[wanderingaimles]

As was mentioned, you have enough truck, but with the trailer being a lightweight, you may find that it will get squirrelly without a WD/sway system in place, and apparently you believe the part to be a simple fix. Why not contact the manufacturer to ask for assistance on getting back to what you are used to and familar with?
eaz-lift

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Put it in and if it's not sagging in the middle, you will generally be ok as your truck seems adequate.

And check the handling too.