Newbie towing question

Jamesandtara · 02-02-2014, 12:54 PM

We just purchased a 2014 salem 30qbss and i am towing with a 2004 f 150.

I am wondering if either towing gear setup is better then the other. The dealer sells the round bar style, but people are telling me that the "reese" style square bars are better. Any opinions???? I will also be running dual cam sway. Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

**bikendan** · 02-02-2014, 04:58 PM

depending on how your Ford is spec'd, you may be over its limits.

that trailer is very tongue heavy and when the truck and trailer are loaded, may be too heavy for the truck.

you need to post the truck's engine size, cab size, bed size, rear end ratio, 4x2 or 4x4 and payload capacity.

either way, figuring you have a big family, that's why you bought the bunkhouse, you will be close or over the truck's capacity.

and you better make sure you get a real good WDH with built-in sway control with a 33' TT. like a Equalizer or Reese Dual-Cam. or if you have the money, a Hensley or ProPride.

Jamesandtara · 02-02-2014, 05:21 PM

Its a FX4 supercrew with a 5.4 with 3.73 gears. Weight is not an issue but honestly I am a little worried about the tongue weight..

**Platokidd** · 02-02-2014, 06:04 PM

980 lbs of tongue weight on the unit I googled, bet is closer to 1200 lbs. when said n done.
To me it seems like a lot tongue weight for a 6575 lbs unit. Maybe too much tongue weight for 1/2 ton imo.

rockfordroo · 02-02-2014, 06:05 PM

Looking online, it looks like your trailer's max weight is about 11,000 lbs (about 6,500 lbs dry + 4,500 lb cargo). That would translate to at LEAST 1,100 lbs on the tongue, probably more. A couple F-150's in the 2009 trailer towing guide (oldest one I've got) went up to 11,200 lbs (this would be without any passengers or stuff in the truck), but most did not. No tongue limits are given in the guide. But I agree with Bikendan, you're most likely over the limits already. Would need to know more, like bed length, tow package, etc.

Bottom line: Read your owners manual. It should tell you the max tongue weight, as well as all the other weights you need to worry about, for however your truck is set up.

I hope your salesman didn't tell you "Oh, this is 1/2 ton towable!" (That's the biggest lie in the RV salesman's repertoire!)

Jamesandtara · 02-02-2014, 06:11 PM

Would you guys recommend air bags??

Teamfour · 02-02-2014, 06:11 PM

According to Ford that year model had a max towing capacity of 9,500 lbs; and that probably was not for the FX4 style.

Jamesandtara · 02-02-2014, 06:15 PM

Yea from what I found I am rated for 9,500 towing. Honestly never checked tongue weight.

rockfordroo · 02-02-2014, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Yea from what I found I am rated for 9,500 towing. Honestly never checked tongue weight.

Your truck's 10 years old. I think you just found an excuse for a new one!

TeresaInCAL · 02-02-2014, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesandtara

Yea from what I found I am rated for 9,500 towing. Honestly never checked tongue weight.

Dude, you're going to need a f250 for that new trailer.

**bikendan** · 02-02-2014, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesandtara

Would you guys recommend air bags??

won't make any difference in the towing/payload numbers. all they will do is make the truck sag less.

2004 Ford towing guide says the 4x4 F-150 supercrew with 3.73, has a max towing of 9,200lbs.
the 4x2 is the one with the 9500lbs. rating.

Jamesandtara · 02-12-2014, 07:11 AM

So now that all of that is out of the way does anyone want to answer the original questions???

Which do you guys prefer- round bar style or square style??
Either of them better then the other???

davel1971 · 02-12-2014, 07:38 AM

your assuming your bar choice is going to make up for your lack of truck. You need to take what everyone is suggesting more seriously, for the safety of your family. You are probably at your limits if you left camper empty and family at home.

eggs5p · 02-12-2014, 07:41 AM

I use round bars with double friction sway bars ( Husky brand )
They work perfectly for me for less money !
As others have already stated , I think you have too much trailer for your truck.
Hope this helps
Eggs

Cajun Po-Boy · 02-12-2014, 07:53 AM

When I owned a TT, used the cheaper round bar WDH and had no problems but do make sure to run dual friction bars to control sway better...Good Luck

Chewie · 02-12-2014, 08:21 AM

I used to own a 2012 salem 30qbss. It's tongue weight was close to 1100. Heavier than it looks for sure. I used f350 at the time and it still sagged the truck a bit. I used the round 1000k bars and it did help quite a bit. Also used a friction sway control. Hitch was an Ultra-Fab WDH. If I didn't trade on the 5er, I probably would have went with the equalizer based on people's reviews who I've talked to at random CGs.

MtnGuy · 02-12-2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesandtara

So now that all of that is out of the way does anyone want to answer the original questions???

Which do you guys prefer- round bar style or square style??
Either of them better then the other???

1st of all, the members here are concerned about your safety and those around.....that is why the extra information is volunteered. I agree with others that your receiver hitch is probably not up to that amount of tongue weight. The Ford trucks of that era setup with the heavy duty towing package mostly had a 990 lb. tongue weight limit when using a WDH. I should know, as I have a 2006 F150. There should be a sticker on the receiver stating the weight limits.

2nd, to answer your original question: Generally speaking, the round bar setup is best used on lighter trailers where the trailer coupler is mounted to the top of the trailer tongue frame. The trunnion style (square bars) is best used with heavier trailers where the coupler is mounted to the bottom of the trailer tongue frame. With a trailer that size, I presume the coupler is mounted on the bottom of the frame ??

1200 lb. bars would be minimum needed for that trailer. That trailer could go over a 1200 lb tongue weight when ready to camp. Reese round bar setups only go to 1200 lbs, so that is another reason to go with the square bars, in case you need stiffer bars in the future.

The Reese Straight Line Dual Cam works well.

There are other issues to consider like payload, GVWR, and tow vehicle wheelbase, but it seems you are here for only 1 question.

dustman_stx · 02-12-2014, 08:50 AM

Don't let the weight police scare you off.

To answer your question, I would prefer something like an Equalizer 4 point or Reese Dual Cam. They work much better than the cheap-o chain and friction bar setups.

Great Laker · 02-12-2014, 08:51 AM

I own a similiar trailer towing with a 1/2 ton. I went with the Equalizer 4 pt and bumped up to the 12000 because of the tongue weight and tows fine. The dealer had a hard time finding heavier round bars to replace mine so i just traded my hitch in for the new one. I had to make a few adjustments after the dealer install which i recommend anyway.

bobby75 · 02-12-2014, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davel1971

your assuming your bar choice is going to make up for your lack of truck. You need to take what everyone is suggesting more seriously, for the safety of your family. You are probably at your limits if you left camper empty and family at home.

x2

You may also like: