Trailer Towing RTFM - Weight Distribution Hitch needed if towing over 6,000 pounds!

[JohnnyG]

I posted this in another thread, but thought it would be best if posted as its own topic.

I was looking at the 2024 Expedition Towing Guide. This just might by CYA, but it is in the guide.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Includes items that must be installed.* Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty (see your dealer for a copy) may be voided if you tow without them.
For trailers over 6,000 pounds – Class IV Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package (536) and required aftermarket weight-distributing hitch. *Check with your dealer for additional requirements, restrictions and limited warranty details.

FRONTAL AREA LIMITATION
Frontal Area is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance.
The maximum trailer frontal area that must be considered for an Expedition/trailer combination is 55 sq. ft. without Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package and 60 sq. ft. with Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. Exceeding this limitation may significantly reduce the performance of your towing vehicle.

 

[Dice Roll]

It’s no cya. Get a good one with sway control. I use a blue ox for my camper.

 

[Rob6805]

Any trailer over 6k lbs should absolutely have a WDH.

 

[BlackBetty]

It’s no cya. Get a good one with sway control. I use a blue ox for my camper.

That’s what I use as well.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

I use an Andersen sway/WDH for towing an 4500-5000 lb actual trailer, and I have HD tow.... makes the ride much nicer in the front seat, AND eliminates any tendency to sway at higher speeds.

 

[jjscsix]

I have a Curt. I like it but it is one heavy SOB. We have a 34 East to West Alt that weighs about 7,300 ready to roll, measured on a Cat Scale.

 

[gman20650]

I use an Andersen sway/WDH for towing an 4500-5000 lb actual trailer, and I have HD tow.... makes the ride much nicer in the front seat, AND eliminates any tendency to sway at higher speeds.

Just found this thread. I have an Andersen I use with a horse trailer. It does remove most of the sag, and there’s normally minimal if any sway. However, the hitch, and I think the chains especially, creak and make a lot of noise - which is not what the company advertises.
Do you experience a lot of noise trom your WD hitch?

 

[Left Coast Geek]

i don't hear a thing from mine

 

[ms136]

I use an Equal-i-zer WDH while towing a 35' 8500lb camper which does a good job of mitigating sway. Quiet as long as I keep the ball lubed, otherwise groans when turning.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I don’t hear anything when I use my WDH, but as you say you have minimum sag, it probably means you are putting very little pressure/load on the chains which is why you might be hearing the noise. My chains have to be really tensioned (I run a single axle trailer and it puts 900 lbs of weight on the tow hitch, so I have to redistribute 600 lbs and that has the chains and tension bars under a lot of tension, which is probably why I don’t have any noise (everything is very tight!!).