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Old 02-25-2021, 08:54 PM   #1
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NoBo 19.6 Hitch Questions

First Post here. I'll be taking delivery of a new 19.6 NoBo in about a month & I have a few hitch questions. I have to drive a few hours to get it so I want to go in prepared.

1. What is the height of the hitch with the trailer level? (Top or bottom of hitch ball?)

2. I'm assuming it's a 2" ball - or is it 2 5/16? Have seen mixed answers on this.

3. I have a 2020 F150 with Max Tow package - easily capable. For a 4000-5000 lb trailer like this, is a weight distributing hitch recommended? Or just a sway control?
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Old 02-26-2021, 08:48 AM   #2
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Welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered. the ball should be 2 5/16. Myself I would hold off on the WDH and see if you actually need it. Proper loading and tow speed have a great effect on sway.
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Old 02-26-2021, 09:09 AM   #3
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According to the 2020 F-150 towing specifications after 5000 lbs and 500lbs. tong weight you are required to use a WDH. Once loaded you will easily exceed these weights. From my experience with a 24ft unit you will also need a hitch with sway control. The hitch height will be around 24" and a 2 5/16" ball. For your unit a Anderson Hitch will work well and it comes in at 51lbs verses all the other WDH's at 100lbs. or over.

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Old 02-26-2021, 10:54 AM   #4
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Ditto on the Anderson. When I pulled my trailer home I was under the 500lbs TW so I used a standard hitch. No issues. I did get the Anderson since I was going to be just a bit over the 500lbs TW when loaded for camping.

The benefit of the Anderson is you can tune the hitch for any TW you end up at. If I carry fresh water I adjust it compared to not carrying water.
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Old 02-26-2021, 01:35 PM   #5
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Hitch

Thanks all. OK, so WDH it is.

I would like to get a couple of more thoughts on ball size & hitch height - only because I've found conflicting information on this in the past.

Thanks
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Old 02-26-2021, 09:36 PM   #6
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My PUP had a 2" coupler ad nd my Roo has 2 5/16" coupler. I believe yours will be the latter.
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Old 03-26-2021, 10:27 PM   #7
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So how did it work out? Wed Mar 31 we are picking up our NoBo 19.6 from Apple Way RV in Spokane. We have to drive over from Seattle to get it. I just bought the hitch the Dealer recommended. I have a GMC Serra 1500 tow vehicle.
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Old 03-27-2021, 09:49 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by JamesPal View Post
So how did it work out? Wed Mar 31 we are picking up our NoBo 19.6 from Apple Way RV in Spokane. We have to drive over from Seattle to get it. I just bought the hitch the Dealer recommended. I have a GMC Serra 1500 tow vehicle.
We pick ours up April 10th. I'll let you know.
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Old 03-27-2021, 02:37 PM   #9
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We pick ours up April 10th. I'll let you know.
El Jefe, looks like we will be going though this together. I don't want to hijack your thread. If you agree, I will post to this thread with our experiences.
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Old 04-15-2021, 05:05 PM   #10
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Equalizer Hitch did great. NoBo was on rails behind the truck. Even in high winds / semis, etc.

JamesPal, I have copious notes. If you want to start a new delivery thread, I'll post there.
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Old 04-28-2021, 11:43 AM   #11
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El Jefe, how does your F-150 do pulling the 19.6? I also live in the Denver area and I'm looking to upgrade from an 18', 3,200lb (full loaded), single axle trailer, to a 19.3. I drive a 2021 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, but I'm a bit concerned how the drive quality might be impacted by the larger trailer, especially in the mountains. Would love any feedback on 1/2 ton tow vehicles handling this size trailer. Thanks!
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Old 04-28-2021, 12:00 PM   #12
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El Jefe, how does your F-150 do pulling the 19.6? I also live in the Denver area and I'm looking to upgrade from an 18', 3,200lb (full loaded), single axle trailer, to a 19.3. I drive a 2021 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, but I'm a bit concerned how the drive quality might be impacted by the larger trailer, especially in the mountains. Would love any feedback on 1/2 ton tow vehicles handling this size trailer. Thanks!
It did great. My 24' trailer was a big sail in crosswinds - and it was noticeable. But the trailer was on rails behind my truck in all conditions. Highly recommend the Equalizer hitch.

My Ecoboost has roughly 50 hp & 100 ft-lbs more than your Gen V 5.3 (which is an awesome motor). I expect that difference to be more at altitude, over the passes. But your motor should be plenty for a trailer of that size.

I don't have your truck specs - gear ratio, weight capacity, etc - those matter. But these 19 series NoBos are right in the sweet spot for 1/2 Ton trucks.
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Old 04-28-2021, 12:51 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by millertime3o3 View Post
El Jefe, how does your F-150 do pulling the 19.6? I also live in the Denver area and I'm looking to upgrade from an 18', 3,200lb (full loaded), single axle trailer, to a 19.3. I drive a 2021 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3, but I'm a bit concerned how the drive quality might be impacted by the larger trailer, especially in the mountains. Would love any feedback on 1/2 ton tow vehicles handling this size trailer. Thanks!

Your 5.3 has improvements from the one we had, a 5.3l Suburban with 4 speed auto. With the incremental power increase and 6 speed trans you should have a better tow experience. Our experience - on the plains it was perfectly adequate towing our 19.7. However, in the hills of upper Michigan, at the slightest load, it down shifted and the engine ran at 4400 rpm which was not pleasant.

Our solution was to upgrade to a 2019 Expedition Max with trailer package. As noted above, the 3.5 Eco-boost coupled with the 10 speed trans makes for a stress-free towing experience. It also helps that the aluminum body panels increase the load carrying capacity, almost 200 pounds more than the Suburban.
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Old 04-28-2021, 01:02 PM   #14
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Your 5.3 has improvements from the one we had, a 5.3l Suburban with 4 speed auto. With the incremental power increase and 6 speed trans you should have a better tow experience. Our experience - on the plains it was perfectly adequate towing our 19.7. However, in the hills of upper Michigan, at the slightest load, it down shifted and the engine ran at 4400 rpm which was not pleasant.

Our solution was to upgrade to a 2019 Expedition Max with trailer package. As noted above, the 3.5 Eco-boost coupled with the 10 speed trans makes for a stress-free towing experience. It also helps that the aluminum body panels increase the load carrying capacity, almost 200 pounds more than the Suburban.
I'm not sure what year your Suburban was, but the Gen V 5.3L got a huge power boost when they direct injected it in 2014. It's in the range of the Gen IV 6.0 - it's that good. Plus, he should have an 8 speed auto, not a 6. It's a whole different truck.

Still, the Ecoboost has more power.
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Old 04-28-2021, 04:18 PM   #15
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A substantial power boost and a 6 or 8 speed should do the trick! If my old 5.3 had the modern transmission it probably would have been good enough.
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Old 07-24-2021, 09:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ElJefe View Post
First Post here. I'll be taking delivery of a new 19.6 NoBo in about a month & I have a few hitch questions. I have to drive a few hours to get it so I want to go in prepared.

1. What is the height of the hitch with the trailer level? (Top or bottom of hitch ball?)
ElJefe could you confirm exactly what the hitch height was on your new 19.6 when level, either to center of ball or bottom of coupler lip.

I asked my salesman and since they didn't have a 19.6 on their lot he couldn't be sure but he thought it would be approx. 19.5" to center of ball and he confirmed the ball size would be 2 5/16". Mine isn't due in until late September but I went ahead and purchased my new hitch with Weight Distribution bars and Sway bar but since I will be pulling it with my Super Duty F250 Diesel he didn't think I would need anything but the hitch w/o the Weight Distribution bars and the Sway bar but could you comment on how yours pulled and whether you used the WD system or the Sway bar attachment?
Also could you comment on the quality of your No Bo 19.6, have you had any major issues arise since you took ownership of it and are you happy with your purchase?
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Old 07-24-2021, 10:30 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Stingingfork View Post
ElJefe could you confirm exactly what the hitch height was on your new 19.6 when level, either to center of ball or bottom of coupler lip.

I asked my salesman and since they didn't have a 19.6 on their lot he couldn't be sure but he thought it would be approx. 19.5" to center of ball and he confirmed the ball size would be 2 5/16". Mine isn't due in until late September but I went ahead and purchased my new hitch with Weight Distribution bars and Sway bar but since I will be pulling it with my Super Duty F250 Diesel he didn't think I would need anything but the hitch w/o the Weight Distribution bars and the Sway bar but could you comment on how yours pulled and whether you used the WD system or the Sway bar attachment?
Also could you comment on the quality of your No Bo 19.6, have you had any major issues arise since you took ownership of it and are you happy with your purchase?
Hopefully you'll hear back. His last post was in April of 2021 and nothing since.
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Old 07-25-2021, 09:37 AM   #18
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Regarding the hitch and paraphernalia - Every dealer I've talked to has the capability to adjust and re-assemble the WDH on site. For most, it is probably simpler to just bundle the hitch with the trailer, and let the dealer know in advance you'll take delivery of a properly set up rig. If the dealer can't handle a hitch mod or initial setup...maybe you chose the wrong dealer.
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