I just picked up a 2006 F150 5.4 liter V8. I came with a trailer tow package and i plan on towing my small 12ft fishing boat on a small trailer. The dealer told me to go to uhaul to get the bar that goes in the receiver (the part the ball hooks onto) and it will cost me about $80. My question is could i just go to walmart or something and pick up one of the Reese products for under $20?

 

I dont know if the Uhaul one will cost $80 but Yes you can get it anywhere.

 

Well i just pickeup a reese draw bar ball mount for my receiver. I have a 2inch hitch so i got a 2 inch receiver, but it doesnt fit snuggly. I can just see it now when i'm riding around hearing all sorts of clanking noises. Are these draw bars typically loose? I expected it to be snug fitting.

 

thats normal, and once the trailer is attached you wont hear clanking, now if you ever need to get a WD hitch with anti sway. WOW you will hear clanking and banging going around turns, first time i thought i forgot to hook something up when i heard it, scared the hell outta me, then found out its normal.

 

Ok thanks.

I might as well ask a couple other things while i'm at it. First of all, do people normally leave the drawbar in, or is it best to take that out when not towing anything?

And secondly, i bought a reese hitch pin to go along with it. Its just a steel hockey shaped peice with a little clip that wraps around the end. I sort of that there might of been a whole to put the clip through or something but i guess i didnt look at it good enough. Anways would it be fine?

Heres a picture of it.

http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower...174833&sr=1-15

 

I think its a matter of personal preference as to taking it out or leaving it in, if left in it may help the bumper if your rearended, it would depend on how much you tow, I take mine out because I dont tow that often maybe once a month.

Your probably ok with that pin, however im not a fan of it, I would prefer something that locked ( expecially if leaving it on ) or where the lock pin went through, looking at that the weakest part is where the pin locks in, not that theres any real stress on it.

 

Yeah i'll probably just return that one and get something that locks, even if for peice of mind. Thanks for your help its appreciated.

 

I take my draw bar out when not towing. Saves scrapes on my legs, reduces injuries for my kids, and makes the truck a bit shorter. Oh, and then it is less liekly to be stolen in my garage.

That pin is fine, but I too prefer the kind with a hole instead of slot.

 

You can buy a matching package of two locking pins that use the same key.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...70_12121_12121
The larger one locks your drawbar to the truck.
The smaller goes into your trailers' hitch coupler.
The small one locks the trailer release mechanism down when towing.

It also slows down thieves from stealing your trailer those times when your trailer ain't hooked to you truck.
See the hole in the mechanism handle ?


I was gonna be cool and leave my chrome drawbar in.
One permanent scar on my left shin later and that bad boy went behind the seat.

 

When I go to Walmart there is always a pickup with the hitch bar sticking out into the driving lane. Of course it is parked as close as possible to the door and a little crooked.

 

I had a solid 3ball that grew legs on me. As mentioned use a locking pin or remove it. I will say though leaving it in is fun when someone rear ends you

 

I was given a locking Masterlock style drawbar as a gift to tow some new Jetskis i just purchased. Does anyone have any experience with these Masterlock drawbars? There is a keyhole on the side and when you lock it the pins extend through the hitch holes to secure it in place. They only extend about a half-inch and i'm a little weary. I feel more confident having one of the larger pins that extends an inch plus on each side.


Also, this one is very long. It sticks out about 9-10" from my receiver. Are there any negatives to having one this long?

 

you will have no problems with this one, in fact this was the first one i got when i got my 20' trailor. I liked the convience of not loosing the pin. I towed with this until I got my WD hitch with sway control. I will say i felt a big difference in not really knowing the trailor was behind me on but I think that has to do with it not swaying . I put a 2" ball on this one for when i need to grab a uhaul. just dont loose the key

 

awesome thanks!

 

So i've got another question. What hitch class is on my truck?

I have an 07 King Ranch with the 5.4L V8 and 3.73 gearing. The dealer already had an electronic trailer brake controller installed on her when I bought it so I feel like I must have the upgraded trailering package.