New F250 and WDH

[Buzzard Bait]

My 2017 f250 is on order. Ford says the new 250s don't require a WDH (pulling a 34' bumper pull), which is probably an oversimplification. At a very reputable trailer maintenance and repair shop yesterday. They suggested I may not need the WDH if I use air bags. I'm clueless on such matters. What does my wise but unpaid technical consultants say about this?

[drittal]

Wdh will leverage weight back on your steering axles (and trailer axles).

[FrankG]

Originally Posted by Buzzard Bait

My 2017 f250 is on order. Ford says the new 250s don't require a WDH (pulling a 34' bumper pull), which is probably an oversimplification. At a very reputable trailer maintenance and repair shop yesterday. They suggested I may not need the WDH if I use air bags. I'm clueless on such matters. What does my wise but unpaid technical consultants say about this?

Taking the comments from the repair shop out of the equation, we are all waiting for real world testing of Ford's new WDH recommendation. This is going to take an experienced towing person to hook his/her trailer to the new ford without the WDH. Only time will tell.

[crunchman12001]

I would be very concerned with sway control on a 34' trailer. You would get sway control and weight distribution with an Equal-I-zer 4 point.

[B and B]

Too many variable with the term 34 ft trailer.

What model, weight, tongue weight, what you carry in it, in the truck bed. The hitch is usually limited to 1000 lbs tongue weight on some models without a WDH.

If this was a sales man at the dealer bar very careful and read the specs.

[rockfordroo]

I went from a Silverado 1500 to a 2500HD this year. I'm still using the WDH. I've got it, so I use it; I don't know if it's helping but I know it's not hurting.

Don't know about Ford, but Chevy 2500's are coming with 2-1/2" receivers these days. An adapter from 2-1/2" to 2" came with the truck. If you don't get one with the Ford, you'll have to buy one. (Even if you don't use the WDH you may need one; I've never seen a 2-1/2 drawbar, but I'm sure they exist.)

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I went from a Silverado 1500 to a 2500HD this year. I'm still using the WDH. I've got it, so I use it; I don't know if it's helping but I know it's not hurting.

Don't know about Ford, but Chevy 2500's are coming with 2-1/2" receivers these days. An adapter from 2-1/2" to 2" came with the truck. If you don't get one with the Ford, you'll have to buy one. (Even if you don't use the WDH you may need one; I've never seen a 2-1/2 drawbar, but I'm sure they exist.)

He will get the insert ~ it came with my '16 F250 6.7. My '16 F350 has 2 inserts. Like you I have not seen a 2 1/2" drawbar BUT my '16 F350 has TWO inserts. Ever see a 3" bar? Hitch is rated to 19,000#.

[Kevinwak]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

He will get the insert ~ it came with my '16 F250 6.7. My '16 F350 has 2 inserts. Like you I have not seen a 2 1/2" drawbar BUT my '16 F350 has TWO inserts. Ever see a 3" bar? Hitch is rated to 19,000#.

Was going to buy the 2-1/2" shank for my WDH when I bought my 16 F350. Then I saw the price of the 2-1/2" draw bars and shanks. I'll use the inserts sleeve until I have a trailer heavy enough to require the 2-1/2"

On the note of the '17 not requiring a WDH. I never heard of that, but I know the 16 was aloud up to 8000 pound trailer without WDH (and a max tongue weight that I can't remember tonight). My camper is under that, but I still use the WDH because it has build in sway control!

[KFX450RXC]

My 2013 F350 technically doesn't need a WDH hitch. But when we used to pull our former W&P with it, we always did. The truck has a Curt class V hitch rated at 2700 lbs. tongue weight. It also has custom helper springs so it hardly squats at all.

But that being said, today's WD hitches are so good when properly set up, using them makes a TT pull as good as any 5er I've owned.

[Mr Havercamp]

the only thing that matters is how it handles it without the WDH to you.

I am only pulling a 23' Roo @ 6000 lbs, but I often do not use the WDH with a GMC 2500. It tows fine without it. No sway, no instability. Just drop it on the ball and go.

That being said on long trips when I carry full water and have the truck loaded down with firewood, a kayak and gear, all my fishing gear, etc I have used the WDH and could feel a difference. But even then I would not be uncomfortable not using it

Its all what your comfortable with.

The suspension and drivetrain on a heavy duty truck is a different animal than a 1500. Those are made to be comfortable and ride like cars. The heavy duty trucks are made to tow and haul. Just park an F150, even with whatever max package beside an F250 and compare everything underneath. Frame, springs, axles / rear end, brakes etc. A huge difference.

[FrankG]

Originally Posted by FrankG

Taking the comments from the repair shop out of the equation, we are all waiting for real world testing of Ford's new WDH recommendation. This is going to take an experienced towing person to hook his/her trailer to the new ford without the WDH. Only time will tell.

Please Read the 2017 Ford RV & Trailer Towing Guide. IT RECOMMENDS A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING HITCH FOR TRAILERS OVER 5000LBS (Pg 32) for Super Duty F-250 & F-350 Trucks On page 34 they give detailed instructions on how to set up a weight distributing hitch. This is the best illustrated information I have seen to date.

[Buzzard Bait]

Good feedback. So I plan on using the WDH. Is air bags an overkill on a 250? Loaded trailer about 8000 lbs. not much cargo in the bed, maybe 500 lbs.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Buzzard Bait

Good feedback. So I plan on using the WDH. Is air bags an overkill on a 250? Loaded trailer about 8000 lbs. not much cargo in the bed, maybe 500 lbs.

My 16 F250 towing a 7K+ 30ft trailer with a lot in the bed does great with 1200lb WDH. I even tried without the WDH and had a lot of sway. I put it back on and all is well.

IMHO, I would wait on the air bags. I have had no need for them at this time. The later F250's have the larger blocks(4 inch+/-) on the springs and do not sag.

Your 17 will make you happy but you will want the sway control...

[rockfordroo]

My 2016 Silverado 2500HD owners manual says

A weight-distributing hitch may be
useful with some trailers. Use the
following guidelines to determine if a
weight-distributing hitch should
be used.

Then the table they give says a WDH is "Optional" for the 2500/3500.

There's a tongue weight table, but it says 1500 lbs for both weight-carrying and weight-distributing.

[CaptnJohn]

I doubt seriously you will need or even want airbags. Ran heavier than you with an Equalizer 4 point w sway control and all was well, even in crosswinds and passing semis.

[Wobbles]

X2 for the Equal-I-zer 4 point!

[Flybob]

If your new TV has a 2.5" rcvr with an sleeve and you have not had one on previous TV, make yourself a prominent note to remove it when removing the hitch. It is easy to forget and leave the sleeve in the rcvr when removing the hitch. It will eventually vibrate out while driving and could do some real damage to the vehicles behind you. I added word sleeve in large orange letters to top of hitch.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by Flybob

If your new TV has a 2.5" rcvr with an sleeve and you have not had one on previous TV, make yourself a prominent note to remove it when removing the hitch. It is easy to forget and leave the sleeve in the rcvr when removing the hitch. It will eventually vibrate out while driving and could do some real damage to the vehicles behind you. I added word sleeve in large orange letters to top of hitch.

Good advice, I have 3 spares in my shed that I noticed laying on the shoulder of the PA Turnpike in the last 8 years or so. Made a note of the mile marker and stopped the next day to retrieve them.

[325BH]

My guess is, Ford is incorrectly stating a WDH is not needed due to the hitch being able to carry the full tongue weight without a WD system. As we all know, most hitches state there maximum tongue weighs for use with and without a WD system. My guess is the new hitch can handle the full tongue weight without WD.

The problem is, Ford cannot change physics. Without a WD system, the rear will sag and the front will raise. Depending on the amount, this can be a problem. Sway control is another issue.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

My 16 F250 towing a 7K+ 30ft trailer with a lot in the bed does great with 1200lb WDH. I even tried without the WDH and had a lot of sway. I put it back on and all is well.

IMHO, I would wait on the air bags. I have had no need for them at this time. The later F250's have the larger blocks(4 inch+/-) on the springs and do not sag.

Your 17 will make you happy but you will want the sway control...

Does your 250 have the factory anti-sway button/system and do or have you used it?

My 350 does but I have had no opportunity to use it so I was wondering IF it is any good.