Carrying cargo on front hitch cargo carrier

[mwl001]

I guess I never looked closely at Anderson... I'm not sure that system allows you to "beef it up" by getting a stiffer bar, like the EAZ Lift? In that case you can probably only distribute so much weight with that system although I don't know how much. You might benefit by trading into a different system. Honestly I'm happy enough with what I have, I also like that I could go to 800lb or 1000lb bars if I like.

https://help.andersenhitches.com/fa...00-lbs-will-the-andersen-wd-hitch-work-for-me
I think this is your answer - looks like your system will transfer about half the hitch weight, and you are probably looking to transfer a little more than that, which is why maxing it out seems insufficient based on axle weights?

Also answered a question of my own... I'm strongly considering a beefier rear sway bar for the Expedition to help with towing, and I also get a lot of bounciness over uneven terrain. I had been blaming that on the rear suspension but it looks like that's a common side effect of a typical WDH system, which redistributes weight by pushing up, so when a bump releases that tension you get springiness. I'm assuming heavier bars might make that worse but not sure. An advantage of the Anderson system is that the force is applied horizontally, so you probably experience less of that.

 

[JasonH]

In your weighings where u were able to get 3220 lbs to the front, do you have the TV only weights and TV+TT with no WDH engaged? Would be curious to know how high the rear weight gets and how much was moved off by the WDH...

Thx!


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Unfortunately, I don't. My wife is too impatient to wait for me to hook and unhook, so I only have numbers with the WDH on for different scale visits.

If you try another hitch and it works better, you may be able to sell the Andersen. If you have the receipt showing the purchase date and very few trips on it, I'm sure someone would buy it. You can check sold hitches on Ebay to see what it may go for used.

 

[Joey Smith]

I guess I never looked closely at Anderson... I'm not sure that system allows you to "beef it up" by getting a stiffer bar, like the EAZ Lift? In that case you can probably only distribute so much weight with that system although I don't know how much. You might benefit by trading into a different system. Honestly I'm happy enough with what I have, I also like that I could go to 800lb or 1000lb bars if I like.

https://help.andersenhitches.com/fa...00-lbs-will-the-andersen-wd-hitch-work-for-me
I think this is your answer - looks like your system will transfer about half the hitch weight, and you are probably looking to transfer a little more than that, which is why maxing it out seems insufficient based on axle weights?

Also answered a question of my own... I'm strongly considering a beefier rear sway bar for the Expedition to help with towing, and I also get a lot of bounciness over uneven terrain. I had been blaming that on the rear suspension but it looks like that's a common side effect of a typical WDH system, which redistributes weight by pushing up, so when a bump releases that tension you get springiness. I'm assuming heavier bars might make that worse but not sure. An advantage of the Anderson system is that the force is applied horizontally, so you probably experience less of that.

Thanks for the pointers and info. When I had spoken to someone at Andersen about the weight distribution limits, they told me to expect a maximum of shifting 30% of the weight from the back to the front axles.

I will take a look at these other hitches as well and think about ways to get some $$ back on the Andersen if I find one that works better.


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[Joey Smith]

Unfortunately, I don't. My wife is too impatient to wait for me to hook and unhook, so I only have numbers with the WDH on for different scale visits.

If you try another hitch and it works better, you may be able to sell the Andersen. If you have the receipt showing the purchase date and very few trips on it, I'm sure someone would buy it. You can check sold hitches on Ebay to see what it may go for used.

Thanks. Why did u choose the Husky Centerline? Had experiences with other hitches on your expedition?

Thx.


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[JasonH]

Thanks. Why did u choose the Husky Centerline? Had experiences with other hitches on your expedition?

Thx.


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I honestly don't recall how I settled on the Centerline but I know I got it for a good price from Amazon warehouse. Then it turned out the packaging was torn up and a frame bracket was missing, so I had to find a machine shop to cut a replacement.

It was super stressful because this happened the day before I was due to tow it back to Texas from California. Which happened to be my first time towing ever.

If I had to guess, I would say I the Centerline because it's one of the cheapest ones that people say works well and it was available with quick shipping from Amazon.

 

[mwl001]

I honestly don't recall how I settled on the Centerline but I know I got it for a good price from Amazon warehouse. Then it turned out the packaging was torn up and a frame bracket was missing, so I had to find a machine shop to cut a replacement.

It was super stressful because this happened the day before I was due to tow it back to Texas from California. Which happened to be my first time towing ever.

If I had to guess, I would say I the Centerline because it's one of the cheapest ones that people say works well and it was available with quick shipping from Amazon.

When you’re on a highway and hit a large bump does that get pretty bouncy with the centerline? I’m trying to find a solution and I don’t think SumoSprings will help. My eaz lift has bars and chains and the bouncing can be really bad. I’m wondering if a different system would be better or if I need to look at something like a Gen Y.

 

[JasonH]

When you’re on a highway and hit a large bump does that get pretty bouncy with the centerline? I’m trying to find a solution and I don’t think SumoSprings will help. My eaz lift has bars and chains and the bouncing can be really bad. I’m wondering if a different system would be better or if I need to look at something like a Gen Y.

There's bounce, and a sort of horizontal rocking in the direction of motion. But I don't think it's excessive or uncomfortable. I will say that when my rear suspension was overloaded before I shifted more weight forward, it was bouncier.

Check your loads at the scale and make sure the weights are apportioned correctly between the axles. If that doesn't help it might be time for new struts, as they control rebound. They wear over time so it's not always obvious when they need replacement. I just upgraded to load range "E" tires, which improved the control while towing as well. The rear doesn't squirm or wiggle anymore.

 

[mwl001]

Hmm. I’ve only put 6k on the vehicle and have 22” wheels so not a lot of sidewall to work with as it is - I don’t think it’s any of those? Not sure higher load rating tires are available for these wheels but just might not have found them.

 

[Joey Smith]

I have been reading about the Front Axle Load Restoration (FALR) for the expedition. Ford’s trailer guide (https://www.ford.ca/cmslibs/content...uals/pdf/2019_RV_Trailer_Towing_guide_ENG.pdf) notes on page 37 that the target for dialing in the WDH is to restore 50% of the loading lost on the front axle with the WDH.

In the towing guide it refers to the wheel well height on the front. In my Ford manual for the Expedition, there is a reference to the WDH providing 50 restoration.

I had read elsewhere that this guidance should be used as the recommended amount of load restoration as there is benefit to the weight being on the rear. If that is the case then it seems that even if I do get a new hitch, I should avoid trying to get a full amount of load restoration even if it lets me make more use of my available payload.

I believe I am missing something here though as it would seem that based on this guidance, I would be safer to add the front hitch to make use of the available payload in the front and keep the WDH dialed in to provide 50% FALR.

Any guidance on understanding these recommendations from Ford would be appreciated.


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[mwl001]

I still think you’re better off using WDH to get more weight onto your front axle - you don’t necessarily need to know the weight just measure your fender height before and after. Sounds anyway like ford recommends something that can get you to 50% and the Anderson only does 30%.