Weight Distributing Hitches
We upgraded from a 24 foot travel trailer to a 33 foot travel trailer this summer. We are towing with a Ford F150 with Eco Boost engine. The truck is rated to tow up to 9600 and our TT is 6500 so we...
Forum Discussion
You might call Hensley directly and see if they have a reconditioned hitch. They have been running a buyback program lately where they are buying back old hitches, refurbing and re-certifying them then selling as refurbs at a fraction of the cost of new.
As correctly pointed out, the limitation on all trucks is not the towing capacity but the payload capacity. Sounds like you are on the right track in terms of managing weight, but you may not be able to get within ratings on the 150. Lots of folks run overweight, but best to visit a scale and be sure you are not overloaded on the rear axle rating or tire ratings, there are real safety issues.
I can tell you that investing in the Hensley (or ProPride) will ensure that you don't have any issues controlling the trailer. As you can tell from the design of these hitches, the 4-bar linkage they use does not allow sway to occur, every other hitch on the market is designed to dampen sway to keep it from becoming unmanageable.
We bought the Hensley in 2002 when we upgraded to our 34' (previous) trailer. We have taken some long trips and the Hensley makes the driving as easy as you could want it. Not just wind, but uneven roads, emergency maneuvers, etc.
Some here like to say that the Hensley is a "band-aid", and that a properly matched set-up, properly loaded trailer, and an HD tow vehicle are the "right" ways to ensure that you don't get sway. Those are good principles of towing theory, but I can tell you in the real world the Hensley performs as advertised and will ensure that the 150 maintains control over the trailer.
I had my tow receiver bend at a 45* angle, had a tire blowout on the trailer, and the Hensley controlled the trailer both times, to the point that I wasn't aware of the problem until I stopped.
Good luck and safe travels.
As correctly pointed out, the limitation on all trucks is not the towing capacity but the payload capacity. Sounds like you are on the right track in terms of managing weight, but you may not be able to get within ratings on the 150. Lots of folks run overweight, but best to visit a scale and be sure you are not overloaded on the rear axle rating or tire ratings, there are real safety issues.
I can tell you that investing in the Hensley (or ProPride) will ensure that you don't have any issues controlling the trailer. As you can tell from the design of these hitches, the 4-bar linkage they use does not allow sway to occur, every other hitch on the market is designed to dampen sway to keep it from becoming unmanageable.
We bought the Hensley in 2002 when we upgraded to our 34' (previous) trailer. We have taken some long trips and the Hensley makes the driving as easy as you could want it. Not just wind, but uneven roads, emergency maneuvers, etc.
Some here like to say that the Hensley is a "band-aid", and that a properly matched set-up, properly loaded trailer, and an HD tow vehicle are the "right" ways to ensure that you don't get sway. Those are good principles of towing theory, but I can tell you in the real world the Hensley performs as advertised and will ensure that the 150 maintains control over the trailer.
I had my tow receiver bend at a 45* angle, had a tire blowout on the trailer, and the Hensley controlled the trailer both times, to the point that I wasn't aware of the problem until I stopped.
Good luck and safe travels.
