Look at the sticker on the hitch receiver. It will tell you the weight carrying ability of the hitch. Be aware that, if you have not actually weighed your tongue, the weight when you are ready to go camping will be considerably higher than the advertised or brochure weight.
It is entirely possible that you could get away with not using a WD hitch but I would advise using one anyway. It will restore the weight taken off the front axle of the truck by putting that 450 or more pounds 4+ feet behind the rear axle, and it will make the truck ride better. It also makes it much easier to put a sway control device on. Using a WD hitch only takes a few seconds longer to hitch up than not using one. If you already have the hitch I would use it.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD Visit our website here
Hitch (cast iron), Vertical load 1,700lbs, draw 17,000lbs, (stock)factory receiver.
I don't think the weight of the load is a issue for the hitch.
I do have a WDH but it will need to be replaced with one that drops low enough so I don't have a hitch to high or a sway problem.
I was trying to stay away from lifting the trailer and going to a taller tire as a lot of wdh's don't offer that much of a drop.
With just the propane tanks full the hitch only drops 1" with the TT hooked up. I guess, I'll need to load it up and then do any adjustments. A trip or two to the local scale could be in my future.
When you hitch the TT to the TV, how much deflection do you have because of tongue weight? If it does not drop the TV lower than the front end, you do not need a WDH.
I have towed a 6400 lb TT with about the same tongue weight with my dually using a standard hitch in the receiver with no problem. I now tow a 6900 lb TT with 800 lb tongue weight using a WDH set to the minimum deflection. I seriously believe that a standard hitch would work just as well.
"But after doing some reading it looks like everyone recommends one for even the lightest of TT's."
Well, no, not EVERYONE!
But then, I have never had a TT larger than 19 feet long, either.
I towed that one with a Ford E150 Club Wagon, without WDH, and with a Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4, without WDH, but I HAD to have a WDH when towing it with a 1970 Jeep Wagoneer.
I have never used a sway control with ANY trailer of any size.
If you are comfortable towing your trailer without a WDH, go for it. You certainly won't be the first to do so, and probably not the last.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
mowermech wrote: "But after doing some reading it looks like everyone recommends one for even the lightest of TT's."
Well, no, not EVERYONE!
But then, I have never had a TT larger than 19 feet long, either.
I towed that one with a Ford E150 Club Wagon, without WDH, and with a Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4, without WDH, but I HAD to have a WDH when towing it with a 1970 Jeep Wagoneer.
I have never used a sway control with ANY trailer of any size.
If you are comfortable towing your trailer without a WDH, go for it. You certainly won't be the first to do so, and probably not the last.
Another small TT, 16' and 3000# and I don't need or use WD or sway control.
At 5348lbs you'll be 6348lbs min loaded. Thats min 634lbs on the tongue weight. Those numbers for your hitch are I'm pretty sure with WD. I'm thinking your around 5-600lbs w/o WD for tongue weight. Unless Dodge puts one heck of a reciever on.
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