I've been wondering about my need for a WDH since I got my new TV. I currently have and use an Equalizer, but do I need it? Is the sway control that comes with trucks these days a suitable substitue for the WDH?
The truck comes with sway control which is describe as...
The Ford F-150 uses a more sophisticated trailer sway control system. By taking advantage of its integrated trailer-brake controller and roll stability control, the F-150 can apply both its own brakes and a trailer’s electric brakes without the driver's intervention to stop sway when the vehicle senses excessive rear yaw input from the trailer.
The truck has 11300 max trailer weight
2200 max payload
1200 lb class 4 hitch
The trailer weighs 3500 lbs
tongue weight is about 700 lbs
I checked the front end rise when I setup the Equalizer, 38" normal, 37.5 with the trailer, 37.75 with the WDH bars on (tried a few settings on the bars with no change in this measurement).
Happy Motoring
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
12 F150 HD SCAB EcoBoost LB 4x4
06 Starcraft 18SB
Your OEM receiver is only rated for 500 or 600 pounds without WD, so the receiver needs it. I do not understand why you have 20% TW on a bumper pull. That is high.
The OEM integrated sway control is not something you want to ever activate. It happens when sway has already started and is pretty bad. You use a quality WD hitch wit integrated sway control to prevent it in the first place.
* This post was
edited 05/01/12 06:38am by APT *
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
Saw an individual on US-23 the other weekend with a new truck and about a 28' trailer. He did not have WDH and I could see his white knuckes as we passed them. You could see the nose high on the truck and even worse when they hit bumps. I don't think he was doing much more than 55 MPH since everyone was passing them.
The WD hitch was invented for two things, and two things only: To keep the towing vehicle level, and the headlights on the road where they belong. (I remember seeing the advertising many years ago!)
If your tow vehicle is fairly level with the trailer hooked up, and your headlights won't blind oncoming drivers on low beam, you probably don't NEED a WD hitch.
As for sway control, a properly built, properly loaded trailer, towed by a properly sized tow vehicle, should not sway. If it does, find out why, and FIX IT! THEN, if it makes you feel more secure, install a "sway control" gadget.
I have used a WD hitch on one vehicle, a 1970 Jeep Wagoneer. That thing HAD to have a WD hitch to keep the back bumper off the ground when the trailer was connected. I have never used a sway control.
Do it right the first time, and every time.
Good luck.
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!"
I have a very similar truck, and a similar trailer (X19H).
I will use my Equal-i-zer, even though my tongue weight is "only" around 600lbs, so I am at the edge.
I have seen a similar thing like you: adding or removing spacers to the hitch did not (or very very little) change the front rise (also about an inch in my case, same as you with no WD). With the bars tightened, I was always right in between. With only 1" rise with no WD, it is difficult to see any change with little adjustments, I guess.
I test towed with no WD for a few miles in the area, and the truck behaved completely fine - much much better than my Tacoma WITH WD. The truck was still higher in the rear, but I'll use the WDH since it's on the edge and I already have it - so why not?
Nights camped 2011: 13 (4 in the old popup)
Nights camped 2012: 36
Nights camped 2013: 2
2012 F-150 XLT screw 4x4 HD max tow
2012 Jayco X19H
past-MIdirector wrote: Saw an individual on US-23 the other weekend with a new truck and about a 28' trailer. He did not have WDH and I could see his white knuckes as we passed them. You could see the nose high on the truck and even worse when they hit bumps. I don't think he was doing much more than 55 MPH since everyone was passing them.
Betcha if you ask him, it towed "just fine."
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
Sounds like I keep using it. I noticed when I went from a GMC to the Ford that the chains are now pretty short, I now have to route them between the WDH to reach (they hook farther under the vehicle). I was thinking that if I didn't need the WDH they would reach and I wouldn't need new ones, oh well. Thanks for the opinions.
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