kcciticard
USA
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Joined: 03/19/2010
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So we upgraded our tow vehicle from a 2002 Yukon to a 1999 F350 7.3l diesel, 2wd long bed. I was wondering if I would still need to deal with the wd hitch on the bigger vehicle. We are pulling a 2010 Starcraft Autumridge 278BH with a dry weight of 4880 and a hitch weight of 490. I put the trailer on the new truck and it had very little sag if any, obviously way less than the Yukon. I guess I am just trying to figure out if the wd hitch is even needed anymore? Opinions please. Thanks
1999 Ford F350 7.3L Diesel
2010 Starcraft Autumnridge 278BH
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SWD
Land of Living Skies
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Joined: 06/07/2005
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Dont forget you are going to load up that trailer and it will drop a little more. I too have a F350 V10. Still use my WD hitch pulling a 23ft TT.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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The NEED for a WD system depends on the rating of the receiver on your truck. should have a weight rating stamped into the metal under the receiver and there will be two numbers. One for load bearing weight and one for with WD system in use. Remember that your 490 hitch weight is the dry weight and you'll never see that unless you're towing around a completely empty trailer. Use the fully LOADED tongue weight which can be as much as 15% of the GVWR of the trailer.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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kcciticard
USA
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Thanks for the responses. Will keep on using it.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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If I remember correctly, your receiver is only rated for a maximum of 500lbs in weight carrying mode. You should be using a WD hitch even though the rear of the truck does not sag much.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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scottsnider
Buena Park
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I had the something with my f-150 and my trailer, my sag was less than 1/2 inch and got an equilizer hitch with w/d and it tracks great and heres one thing to think about, its one more thing attached to the trailer from the truck to keep it there if something was to go wrong. But then again I am the guy with four chains on my rig not two.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Yes you do!
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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comanche38
Highland, Mi
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I have the same trailer along with the same thought. I have a V4 hitch capable of the max tongue weight and max weight of the trailer. I was told by the RV dealer that I do not need a WD hitch, pulled it home this way with no issues and a great ride. Ordered a WD hitch based on a thought that I "needed" it, followed all the instructions and set off camping. The ride was worse than without and now I have all of this other stuff to hookup/maintain/etc. Why am I hooking all of this stuff up? Everything I have says I don't need it. I have pulled in high winds without the WD and zero issues.
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