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Old 07-17-2018, 10:48 AM   #1
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New F350. 7000# GVWR Trailer (2509S). WDH or not?

Truck on order (gas CC shortbed). Payload and tow rating nowhere near capacity. Will I really want a weight distribution hitch? Anyone happy without? Plan is to try first then buy if I think I need one, but thought I'd see how users with similar rigs feel.
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Old 07-17-2018, 11:42 AM   #2
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I use one. Wouldn't tow without it over long distance.

Sway prevention is what it's all about at this point.
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Old 07-17-2018, 12:10 PM   #3
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Distributing the weight evenly helps with control. Otherwise, all the weight is on the rear axle of your truck. The axle will handle it just fine, but the control and driveability will be compromised. The WDH will most likely have some sway control built in (such as Equalizer's 4-pt sway control). This will help with stability and control when big rigs pass, cross winds, sudden maneuvers, and so on. The trailer would normally want to sway and fish-tail a bit. The WDH with anti-sway will tighten all of this up.
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Old 07-17-2018, 12:37 PM   #4
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A WDH will transfer weight to the front axle. The extra weight on the front axle may help with the ride comfort.
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Old 07-17-2018, 06:49 PM   #5
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I understand the theory and have no doubt they make a noticeable difference with some rigs but was hoping to hear from people hauling a 6000 lb trailer with a 1 ton SRW telling me they don't use one and have little or no problem or that they drove a very similar setup, decided to get the wdh and whether it made a significant or only a small difference.


I should mention we will only be making a few 1000 mile trips per year, not traveling the entire USA.
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Old 07-17-2018, 07:59 PM   #6
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Technically you will probably be able to maintain a reasonable front to rear axle weight ratio and not need WD as long as you don’t load the the bed of the truck with additional weight. As far as the need for sway control goes that will depend on characteristics of the trailer itself. If indeed the trailer is well designed and loaded properly then maybe no under most circumstances. With that said I have tested towing my trailer at 60 mph in a weight carrying state no WD or sway control with good success yet I still use a Equalizer hitch. I only return about 40% back to the front axle which is enough to add some extra sway control. You’ll wish you had that extra sway control the first time you get blasted from the side by a 35-40 mph wind gust.
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Old 07-17-2018, 08:18 PM   #7
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Get one, it's not that much money in the scheme of things and they're well worth it.
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Old 07-17-2018, 08:23 PM   #8
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I had a 2010 f350 towing 6,500 pound bumper pull. Real short distances 5-10 miles no WDH. If I was going further or above 35-40 mph, always used one.

Could feel the difference in handling.
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Old 07-17-2018, 10:13 PM   #9
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How did I know this would not be what I wanted to hear!


OK. Lets say you convinced me. Equalizer 4 pt OR Anderson and why? I'm old and like to keep things simple as possible. (I should probably start another thread but will give a try here first)
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Old 07-17-2018, 10:40 PM   #10
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I had a f350 SRW, Super cab, long box and towed a 8-1/2’ x 24’ long extra height cargo, using a solid ball mount (no WDH). I never used a wdh and never had a problem. I carried a variety of stuff in that trailer, including 2 full loads of houdehold goods ( washer, dryer, fridge, welding machine, floor jacks, packed boxes, and the like. The trailer had a 2-5/16” ball, and tandem 5200 pound axles.
I towed it very loaded from Baltimore to Crossville, TN and from Baltimore to Green Bay to Crossville. I did give some consideration to eye-balling where the heavy stuff was placed in relation to the trailer axles to attempt some type of weight balance.
I suggest you hook on and try towing the unit. You can always buy a hitch.
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Old 07-18-2018, 05:45 AM   #11
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I don't know about your truck...I do know the shorter the wheelbase it takes less tongue weight before a wdh is required -check your manual. For my truck a wdh is not required until 2000lbs on the ball.

My trailer is very tongue heavy. At approximately 9500lbs I had a measured just over 1400 on the ball.

We just did 2800 miles with no wdh or sway control through the windy plains and the eastern mountains with ease. Whenever possible (most of the time) I set the cruise at 70-74. I did a couple of days driving from sunrise to after sunset. (I like driving...always have).

This run was our big test and I brought all the tools needed to add a wdh if I even had a thought about doing so...I won't be buying one.

Your truck and trailer are different...check your manuals and test cautiously.
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Old 07-18-2018, 07:11 AM   #12
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You just spent over $50,000 for a new truck. Don’t cheap out on getting a decent WDH. My F-250 has the camper and snow plow packages so people tell me its practically a F-350. I use an Equal-i-zer 4 pt WDH to pull our TT that’s 7300# loaded. It lifts the back end several inches and brings the front back down to unloaded height. I wouldn’t tow on the road without it.

You’ll need to do some research here on the forum. The Equal-i-zer is highly recommended in all weight ranges. The Andersen WDH may not be suitable for a heavier trailer.
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Old 07-18-2018, 08:44 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by ttmaybee View Post
How did I know this would not be what I wanted to hear!


OK. Lets say you convinced me. Equalizer 4 pt OR Anderson and why? I'm old and like to keep things simple as possible. (I should probably start another thread but will give a try here first)
I am towing a 5er but if I went back to a TT the first hitch I would look at would be the Anderson. That truck with a 7000 GVW trailer won't need a whole lot of weight distribution. From what I have seen the Anderson should provide the weight distribution you need along with solid sway control. I moved from a TT to a 5er and wouldn't want to go back to the heavy hitch head and dealing with the bars every time I hooked up/unhooked.
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Old 07-18-2018, 02:22 PM   #14
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I am towing a 5er but if I went back to a TT the first hitch I would look at would be the Anderson. That truck with a 7000 GVW trailer won't need a whole lot of weight distribution. From what I have seen the Anderson should provide the weight distribution you need along with solid sway control. I moved from a TT to a 5er and wouldn't want to go back to the heavy hitch head and dealing with the bars every time I hooked up/unhooked.
The guy that owns the RV store from which we purchased our TT, has a 35' TT and uses an Anderson and swears by it. I use the FW2 point on ours and love it.
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Old 07-18-2018, 02:44 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by ttmaybee View Post
I understand the theory and have no doubt they make a noticeable difference with some rigs but was hoping to hear from people hauling a 6000 lb trailer with a 1 ton SRW telling me they don't use one and have little or no problem or that they drove a very similar setup, decided to get the wdh and whether it made a significant or only a small difference.


I should mention we will only be making a few 1000 mile trips per year, not traveling the entire USA.
Oh...I'm sure there are lots here that have been doing it "with no problems for 40 years'.

Doesn't mean they shouldn't have it...

By the way...a few 1000 mile trips per year is a lot of driving...

Really, you need the WD and sway setup.
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Old 07-18-2018, 05:58 PM   #16
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How did I know this would not be what I wanted to hear!


OK. Lets say you convinced me. Equalizer 4 pt OR Anderson and why? I'm old and like to keep things simple as possible. (I should probably start another thread but will give a try here first)
Use the Equalizer 4 point and be happy,,,
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:22 PM   #17
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That trailer is about 5200 lbs empty, which means at least 6200 lbs loaded.
Times 13% = 806lbs estimated tongue weight.
That's not going to compress the rear suspension a whole lot on an F350. But the amount of weight removed from an F350 front axle will be the same as on an F150.
Yes, use the WDH to get that weight back on the front wheels.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:57 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttmaybee View Post
I understand the theory and have no doubt they make a noticeable difference with some rigs but was hoping to hear from people hauling a 6000 lb trailer with a 1 ton SRW telling me they don't use one and have little or no problem or that they drove a very similar setup, decided to get the wdh and whether it made a significant or only a small difference.


I should mention we will only be making a few 1000 mile trips per year, not traveling the entire USA.
If I'm pulling locally I don't use a WDH and really can't tell any difference when I'm using my Equalizer 4 point. I do use it when traveling out of state on long hauls as I will be packed for a week or longer and carry more weight. I use it more for sway control than anything else. My TT is around 7k loaded depending on how long I'm going to be camping.
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:22 PM   #19
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I don't use a WDH with my rig, and don't miss it at all, or feel like it is necessary. The camper is a lightweight trailer compared to other things I tow with my truck. My camper is about 6600-6700lbs if I remember correctly, and I don't feel a thing when passing big trucks on the highway.



If you have enough truck, you shouldn't need a WDH.
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:25 PM   #20
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New F350. 7000# GVWR Trailer (2509S). WDH or not?

OP--Just checking, your ball and ball mount are spec’d for that weight?
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