I recently purchased a 2004 F-150 Super Crew complete with the towing package.

I also purchased a Trail-Cruiser travel trailer. The dry weight of the trailer is 2,700 lbs, the GVWR is 5,300 lbs and the tongue weight is 280 lbs.

My question is whether or not I need to purchase a weight distribution hitch in order to have a safe towing setup. One local RV shop indicated that all I need is a ball mount at the correct height and that the weight of the trailer would not cause the rear end of my truck to sag. A second RV shop indicated that I should definitely buy a weight distribution hitch for safety reasons.

I did tow the trailer for a short distance with just a straight ball mount and did not notice any sagging on my truck. This was with an unloaded truck and trailer.

I am looking for some advice on whether to spend the $400 to get a weight distribution hitch or I am okay with just a standard ball mount. Would there be any safety issues if I do not go with a weight distribution hitch?

 

Check your states laws. Many states require a wdh and brakes when the trailer GVW is above a certain weight.

 

I'd say you could go either way. That's a pretty light tongue weight. My trailer has a GVWR of only #5000, but my tongue weight is over #550.

I also haul a lot of stuff in the bed, so that has to figure into it as well. I use #1000 WD bars and it brings the rear end up to it's 'empty' height when it's all setup. It drops about 2" with tongue and 'stuff' in the truck and no bars.

You might also get a 'porpoise' effect on uneven pavement with no WD. That's where your truck will feel like it's on the ocean and the front end will be going up and down in unison of the uneven road (concrete expansion joints for example...)

So, load it up, and see how it rides. Go from there. You might be able to pickup a used WD set for pretty cheap. My brand new EAZ-Lift setup cost only $250.

Mitch

 

Get the WDH.I just picked up a car trailer and am going to get the reciever for all the WD stuff that came with the trailer.I think even thought the RV guy said as long as the ball it at the correct height they are wrong you will always get sag. Just like I do now.
Just my 2 cents

 

I also have a Trail Cruiser. Mine is a 30BHSS, 5500 lbs loaded.
The easiest way to tell about the WD hitch is to hitch up the trailer and truck both fully loaded and step back. The truck should be level, or very nearly so, just the same as when the truck is not hitched to the trailer. If the back end drops, even a few inches, it's a good indication that you need the WD hitch.

The harder way to tell is to load up both truck and trailer, hitch up and go to a scale. Check your truck weight, the axle weights, the hitch weight, the trailer weight and it's axle weights. That will tell the story. If your truck rear axle is overloaded then you definately need the WD hitch.

Your trailer is pretty light so you might not need the WD hitch.
A second point is sway control. It's probably not needed either, but tow around for a while and see what happens on the highway with a cross wind.

I wouldn't put too much stock in what the RV dealers tell you unless you really know them well. It's like asking a barber if you need a haircut. He will tell you "yes" every time. It's how he makes his living.

 

If all you have is 280lbs tongue weight, then I don't really see a need to use a WD hitch.

I do think your tongue weight should be higher though. With that kind of weight, you would want about 500-600lbs of tongue weight, which would require a WD hitch.