Is it a Good Idea to Purchase a Weight-Distribution Hitch?
 

Wifey & I were looking at a new trailer today...

2012 Cougar 24 RLS (which is actually about 29 feet long)

The RV guy wants to sell us a Weight-Distribution Hitch for $550 installed + taxes.

Good idea? Do we need this?

My truck is a 2012 F150 Screw FX/4 with Eco-boost & 5.5 foot bed.

According to the trailer brochure, the dry weight of the trailer is 5,584 pounds with a hitch weight of 680

With my 02 Supercab I towed a 21 foot Sunline with no problems, no special hitches or anything, but this new one is 29 feet, 4 inches in total length, and I've never had any experience towing anything this large.

Another question, do I need the heavy duty tow package with this trailer?

Thanks for your help.

Habs

I got one for my #5000 loaded weight trailer.. Mine only cost $250 for the WD hitch.

But, mine is just a plain jane WD setup. Get some more info on exactly what kind of WD hitch setup the dealer is getting you and that will determine if it's worth $500.

The WD hitch will transfer weight back to the front axle of your truck so you can steer it. Since you won't be camping in a 'dry' trailer, the weights will go up. Expect around #800+ on the tongue weight when it's all said and done..

Mitch

Whats the wet weight going to be? If you're 75%+ of gvwr, get the wd hitch

A Class 3 hitch requires WD if the tongue weight is over 500#.

Thanks guys,

I'm going back today so I'll find out the exact WD hitch they want to sell me.
A quick google search found there are many types and prices vary all over the place.

I also need to find out if I can tow this without having the max tow package on my truck. (still need to find out the difference between the regular tow package and the max tow, not sure on the differences)

Regards
Habs

You will have no issues towing that trailer with a WD/Sway hitch like the eqaul-i-zer or reese dual cam or strait-line hitches. anything with friction sway is old school.

The regular tow will probably only have a class 3 hitch, I think the max tow gives you a class 4.

You should have plenty of capacity to tow that, unless you fill the truck bed and cab up with a lot of crap too. Payload (weight of crap in the truck PLUS tongue weight) will be your limiting factor.

Buy and add the factory brake controller, it integrates with the systems and would be much nicer than an aftermarket controller.

I'm not going to point out that that if you hitch any trailer to that poor truck it may not untrack with all the weight it's carrying in the cab. :lol:

:mad:

Towing with an F-150
 

I have a weight distribution hitch that I paid $425 for new in the box at a dealer. I could not tow my '02 32' camper without it. My 2000 F-150 5.4l provides enough power to tow the 8,000 lb. camper, but the truck is really not heavy enough to handle rough roads when towing the camper.