Questions regarding tow vehicle

[bruceb58]

no need for a WD hitch below 6k

My F-150 has a the OEM hitch that is rated for 500# TW and 5000# total towing weight. Anything higher is recommended to be a WDH.

I use a WDH with my boat which is likely 6800# total with a 650# tongue weight.

 

[bruceb58]

Currently about none. Which I know will a full tank will add 3-400lbs overall but my tongue weight isn’t overloaded just by adding that.

Gasoline weighs 6#/gallon. How big is your tank?

 

[dingbat]

My F-150 has a the OEM hitch that is rated for 500# TW and 5000# total towing weight.

Surprised you didn’t get a Class 4 hitch?

Thought it was standard with the tow package?

 

[bruceb58]

Surprised you didn’t get a Class 4 hitch?

Thought it was standard with the tow package?

It may be called a class IV hitch but those are the ratings. On the sticker it actually says V-5

I thought about it but I found the exact same hitch I use for my travel trailer which is the E4 Equilizer for less than a different receiver and it tows WAY better with the WDH than without.

 

[jhande]

no need for a WD hitch below 6k

It was an old 25' camper trailer but I "think" it was under 6,000 lbs.

All I know is it made a world of difference.

 

[TheguyDirk]

Gasoline weighs 6#/gallon. How big is your tank?

40gal I believe. I was wrong I used 8-10lbs per gallon. (So actually only 240lbs in fuel)

I’m not going to try to tag everyone but WD hitches have crossed my mind but haven’t delved into that much. Figured air bags would be better for all around use.

 

[dingbat]

It may be called a class IV hitch but those are the ratings. On the sticker it actually says V-5

I thought about it but I found the exact same hitch I use for my travel trailer which is the E4 Equilizer for less than a different receiver and it tows WAY better with the WDH than without.

Good catch… mine says the same thing
It seems class 4 is rated for use with WD as well as #5K “bumper” pull

 

[TheguyDirk]

if your tongue weight is that light, I am going with the whole boat is rocking fore/aft over the CG and lifting/bucking against the truck in addition other things

too little tongue weight and the trailer becomes unstable and wags side-to-side

Hi Scott, I wanted to check on some of your advice. I did try to rock my boat back and forth on the trailer from back to front with not much happening. But with me being able to lift I’m wondering if I have to little tongue weight as you mentioned and I might be feeling reverse bucking? My tires are all on the low end in the cool night but are all equal so I’ll note to check the tire pressures before actually driving.

 

[KD4UPL]

Bouncing, lifting, jumping, and guessing are extremely poor ways to analyze and solve a problem.
Take your rig to a scale and weigh it. Feedmills, scrap yards, lumber yards, and quarries have them and will often let you use it for free. Or, go to a truck stop and pay the small fee. Then you will have some facts to work with.
There's no way your boat and trailer weight 6,000 pounds. I tow a 2004 23' Rinker bowrider on a tandem trailer with a 75 gallon fuel tank and dual batteries. With the gas tank full, cooler full, tubes, skis, etc the whole thing, trailer and all, weights 6,500 pounds on a CAT scale.
The shocks on your truck were crap from the factory. After this many years they are even worse. Replace them with heavy duty shocks. You probably have more tongue weight than necessary. See if you can slide the trailer wheels forward to take off some tongue weight.

 

[Alumarine]

As KD4UPL says, weigh the thing.

 

[jhande]

The role of shocks, to control bouncing when hitting bumps.
To test: Unloaded vehicle, push with foot up and down on back bumper. It should come up and stop bouncing. If it goes up and down a few times then shocks are worn.

The role of springs, to hold the weight and prevent to much sag or bottoming out.
To test: When trailer attached does the rear of vehicle squat a lot or a little?

Air bags, they just increase and help the springs carry a weight load. They won't totally help with excess bouncing (will some) and won't help with sway.

Yes it is very important to have the weight (load) of a trailer properly balanced for proper safe towing. But what happens if you can't get that set just right? Weight distribution hitch with added sway bar.

 

[garbageguy]

Maybe there's a landfill nearby - they usually have scales they'll let you use - or negotiate a very small fee, or free because it might be too much to figure out how to take your money

 

[bruceb58]

Yes it is very important to have the weight (load) of a trailer properly balanced for proper safe towing. But what happens if you can't get that set just right? Weight distribution hitch with added sway bar.

Even with a WDH you need a proper amount of tongue weight. Should be between 7% to 10% on a tandem boat trailer.

My WDH doesn't need a separate sway control bar...it's built into the design of the hitch. It will also work with surge brakes since it is not a chain type equilizing hitch.

If you want to get it weighed, get the CAT scale app and go to a CAT scale. They are all over the place.

CAT Scale Apps | CAT Scale

CAT Scale Locator Find your NEAREST CAT Scale! Access all locations on your phone Plan your route based on current location Save your favorite CAT Scale location Download for iOS Download for Android Mobile Application End User License Agreement Weigh. Pay. Get Going. Revolutionizes how...

catscale.com

If you want to weigh the tongue, buy a sherline scale. That's what I use.

Amazon.com: Sherline LM 1000 - Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 1000LB : Automotive

Buy Sherline LM 1000 - Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 1000LB: Jacks & Stabilizers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

smile.amazon.com

Here is a picture of mine measuring the tongue weight on my boat