I'm in the process of purchasing a 20" 8000 GVW enclosed trailer. Trailer dealer tells me Fords towing receiver ratings are inflated and unless I purchase a frame mounted weight distribution setup also, the combination will handle squirelly and likely tear the hitch off the truck.
Any of the haulers out there care to offer an opinion if this guy is blowing smoke, or offering sound advice.
I just bought a new 08 F350 V10 and am under the impression that the hitch is rated for 15000lbs. This is a dually LB that I will be getting so it may tow more but I think the dealer is just trying to make a quick buck off you.
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Originally Posted by Stealth03TDI
I'm in the process of purchasing a 20" 8000 GVW enclosed trailer. Trailer dealer tells me Fords towing receiver ratings are inflated and unless I purchase a frame mounted weight distribution setup also, the combination will handle squirelly and likely tear the hitch off the truck.
Any of the haulers out there care to offer an opinion if this guy is blowing smoke, or offering sound advice.
If you read the fine print, yes it may rated at 15,000 lbs, but probably with a weight distribution setup. Almost every sticker I've seen on the hitches for the rated capacity have 4 numbers: Weight Carrying (straight ball or pintle hitch) GVW, Weight Carrying Tongue Weight, Weight Distribution GVW, Weight Distribution TW. Figuring 10% tongue weight, a 15,000lb trailer will have a TW of 1500lbs. That's a lot. To the OP, an 8000lb trailer will have a TW in the ballpark of 800lbs loaded which is fine for the hitch, but it will give you a much better ride and much more stable towing platform with the WD setup. Trust me, I've been there.
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'05 F-250 XLT 6.0 auto CC/SB 4x4 ESOF riding on BFG Rugged Trail's. Bone stock 'cept for the Sirius radio and tonneau cover 82k miles. Turbo replaced during previous ownership. HPOP fitting let loose, recall at 75k.
Looking at weight distribution hitches, they look the same as the OEM hitch the 08's come with. Are there additional rods or something that doesn't show in the picture? It would appear the stock receiver is already a load distribution type.
If you read the fine print, yes it may rated at 15,000 lbs, but probably with a weight distribution setup.
100% correct. The numbers Ford lists are the maximum using a weight distributing set-up. None of them are rated to handle a 8K trailer in weight carrying form...
Here are the specifications for factory '08 Super Duty receivers...
F-250/F-350 Super Duty SRW and F-350 DRW w/5.4L engine (12.5K Receiver - 2")
Weight distribution bars will help transfer tongue weight back to the trailer to lighten the weight on the rear of the truck but you may want to look at a sway bar set up after towing a bit to see how it handles.
Stealth,
I wholeheartedly agree with PowerstrokeHD and Josh. Josh hit it on the nose about the weight distribution hitch. With an enclosed trailer when you encounter side winds, or big trucks passing you; you'll feel the trailer give you a bit of excitement. To say it'll tear the hitch off is blowing the smoke out of proportion however. I think you will be satisfied with a weight transfer set up on the enclosed trailer. Get the trailer out and get some pull time on it and see how it handles at highway speeds. If you can test drive someone's unit with a weight transfer/anti-sway unit.... give it a spin. I think you'll agree with Josh, they are nice!
20" trailer? I'm thinking you could just haul it in the box!
Thats what I was thinking, Hell thats the smallest trailer I have ever heard of, You could even put it up front with you then you wouldnt have to wory about a hitch. 20 inch trailer......just add water
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Ed
04' F250 C/C, SWB, 6.0L, 4x4, True Blue/Silver
ISSPRO Gauges, Firestone Air Bags, LEER Cap, Super Liner Spray In
I love my truck.
In practical terms, the 8K closed van should be no big deal as long as you keep proper tongue weight. I tow a 16' 7K van with my sig truck without WD, and you have to remind yourself it's back there, even with passing trucks on the interstate. WD might be a nice plus, and the bigger sail area of a 20 footer might make a difference, but I wouldn't worry about trying it without first to see how it goes.
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'05 F-350 PSD 4x4 CC SB SRW Manual
Ford's hitches are not over-rated. And I've never heard of one being torn from the truck, though someone surely has and will be happy to tell of the guy their friend heard of who had it happen to him. 8000 lb trailer really isnt much for a superduty. Heck, the VW SUV is rated for 7,000 lb trailers! I learned long ago not to state on here the loads we guys pulling boats do with non-WD hitches. But, safe to say I really don't think your 8000 trailer will tear your hitch off.
If the dealer is telling you this now, how can you trust what ever else he told you? This guy has lost his creditablity by making statements like that.
GM has had problems with some of their hitches recently, but that is rare. And trucks used to have bumper hitches, not frame-mounted class 3-5 hitches. The bumper hitch could tear the bumper off, but has anyone seen one of those in the past 15 years?
All that being said, a WD set up on the trailer with sway control, using the factory hitch, is never a bad idea, and will make the pulling more enjoyable. But the reality is, that is probalby more of a comfort for you than a requirement.
20-ft wont have much sway if loaded right, but you will want a WD setup.
Some WD setups are set to dampen sway too. I actually have one in a box
in the garage. I took it off when I installed the Hensley, I get NO sway
now with the 31ft TT.
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'00 F350 Supercrewzer Lariet, PSD, Auto, 3.73, CC, 4x4, SWB, SRW, F250, Tony Wildman 6-pos Chip, Custom intake, 4-inch turbo back exhaust, ATS housing, ITP overboost eliminator / Packages: Trailer Tow, Camper, Off-Road. Overhead monitor VCR/TV (VCR under rear seat w/ 6 CD changer) www.employees.org/~calridng (Offroad riding in California)
F-250 XLT 6.0 auto CC/SB 4x4 ESOF riding on BFG Rugged Trail's. Bone stock 'cept for the Sirius radio and tonneau cover 
82k miles. Turbo replaced during previous ownership. HPOP fitting let loose, recall at 75k. 
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