Do I need an equalizer hitch?

[rotorhead1250]

New here and have a question. Did a search but couldnt find a good answer soooo; got a 2011 wolfpack 26bhTT towed by a 03 F350 CC LB w airbags. Loaded, the camper isn't quite 6k and I put a quad in the bed of the truck. I opted out of an equalizer and just got a dual sway hitch and air the bags up to 60psi. I'm not having any towing issues but am wondering if I'm missing out on an easier tow since I don't have anything to compare it too. Figured I'd ask here because the dealer will tell me I need one ($$$$).

[mtnguy]

Even though you have a heavy duty pickup, I would think a WDH would give you a much better driving experience. That would get some of the weight off of the rear end, and put some weight back on the front end where it belongs.

Many hitches of that era maxed out at a 500 lb. weight carrying figure, but have upwards of a 1000 lb. when using a WDH. Check your hitch rating....there should be a sticker on the hitch.....you might have to climb under the truck to see that. I don't know what the tongue weight of your trailer is, but you could be exceeding the carrying capacity of the hitch without using a WDH.

My SIL has a 2003 F350, and he uses a WDH even with a fairly small trailer.

[TheSasks]

Ditto to what Chap said. Even though airbags will level your truck they do not help distribute the weight properly. All your weight is still sitting on your rear axle. The WD hitch will move some of the trailer tongue weight to the front axle and give you a better steering truck.

[firedaniel]

Yours sounds alot like mine. I have a 06 F350 with a diesel and tow a 26tbss. I first did the exact same thing as you with the sway bar. It pulled ok but after talking with some guys while camping I bought a Equalizer hitch and love it. It makes a huge difference while towing! Feels much more secure. I highly recommend it!

Daniel

[sreddy]

If you have the factory hitch it looks the max weight without WDH is 500lbs pre fall '02 and 600lbs post per https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...gs_to_know.pdf - so it depends on the TW of the TT. IMHO like the others have said it does move the weight around and can make towing that much easier.

[rotorhead1250]

Thanks for the replys. The tongue weight of the TT is 420 so with a 600 lb limit, I'm well within. It's just been one of those things thats buggin me, wondering if I'm missing out on a better tow.

[rotorhead1250]

Ok, so what do ya'll recomend? There are so darn many out there I'm a little overwhelmed. I wouldn't think I need a 1500 lb hitch. The prices range from 200 on up. Again, my TT is light in weight and easly towed with the SuperDuty. Thanks for the recomendations.

[mtnguy]

The listed empty tongue weight of a 26 BH is 402 lbs, so depending on how the camper is loaded that might be in the 600 lb. range ready to camp. I would think 800 lb. spring bars should be a plenty.

I usually recommend a WDH with integrated sway control for a 29' camper, but since you already have 2 friction sway control bars (if that is what "dual sway hitch" means), plus a 1 ton truck, a standard WDH should work (with 800 lb. bars).

[bikendan]

rotorhead, just a clarification.
Equalizer is a brand name. there's only one Equal-i-zer hitch, but some dealers try to sell cheaper WDHs by calling them "equalizers".

i'd just get a cheaper WDH, like a Curt unit, since you already have the friction bars.

[GASPEDDLER]

I have to agree with the crowd. My f350 tows way better with my E2 WD hitch. I just wish I had done this years ago. Play it safe and enjoy the tow-get the WD hitch.