Weight Distribution Hitch needed?

[NyackRob79]

I’ve recently picked up a 23’ travel trailer. Trailer dry weight is 3700lbs and she’ll probably come in at 4700lbs when loaded. So not a heavy trailer, but I wanted to know whether a weight distribution hitch is something you’d recommend. We plan to take our 4 kids from NY to AZ and back over the course of a month or so.

I know Ford has a built in “sway control”. I just don’t have any experience with it. How well it works and whether getting a WDH would help it more or conflict with its job to keep the trailer happy.

I’ve seen some ugly videos of trailer sways gone wrong and I’d certainly not want to be in those towing vehicles with our kids.

I have some experience towing lighter loads over the years but not something this large and heavy.

 

[Tripinbillie]

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../guides/19Towing_Ford_Expedition_r1_Dec21.pdf

Tongue weight varies 10-15% of GTW, so its entirely possible for you to be over 630 at max loaded weight, so yes I would get a WDH.

 

[duneslider]

I would highly recommend one. It was eye opening for me the first time using one, just like the first time I used trailer brakes.

 

[byathread]

We plan to take our 4 kids from NY to AZ...

I would if I were you. A good weight distribution hitch makes a world of difference for the IRS and squat that comes with it.

You were asking about a brake controller on another thread. That one is mandatory for control/safety with any trailer with brakes that can be controlled by it...

FWIW, I haven't noticed any of the stability/anti sway features activate on my miles towing yet, but, maybe they don't because I'm driving pretty conservatively with the camper (or maybe they are that good, doubt it).

Enjoy and good luck with it...

 

[RustyOval]

Steering will be much more solid with a WDH properly set up. Sometimes one can find a WDH on Craigslist if lucky....

 

[shane_th_ee]

I know Ford has a built in “sway control”. I just don’t have any experience with it. How well it works and whether getting a WDH would help it more or conflict with its job to keep the trailer happy.

The built in "sway control" is a bit of a misnomer. It's really automatic emergency sway recovery. It uses the rear parking sensors to monitor the distance between the rear bumper of the truck and the trailer. When it detects "large" differences (big changes?) in the distance between the two on the left side vs the right side, the system will activate to safely RECOVER the trailer: apply the trailer brakes (but not the vehicle brakes), get the two vehicles back into alignment and then slow down. It does absolutely nothing to prevent sway from happening. It's just there to do what the drivers in those videos should have done once they found themselves in a potentially dangerous situation. The sway control features on WDHs all attempt to keep the trailer from swaying in the first place. Oh, and the best way to keep a trailer from swaying is to load it properly.

 

[Wayne Decker]

As everyone else said: Yes.

 

[byathread]

The built in "sway control" is a bit of a misnomer. It's really automatic emergency sway recovery. It uses the rear parking sensors to monitor the distance between the rear bumper of the truck and the trailer. When it detects "large" differences (big changes?) in the distance between the two on the left side vs the right side, the system will activate to safely RECOVER the trailer: apply the trailer brakes (but not the vehicle brakes), get the two vehicles back into alignment and then slow down. It does absolutely nothing to prevent sway from happening. It's just there to do what the drivers in those videos should have done once they found themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

Huh... So, pay attention while driving w/trailer and if sway starts and you don't notice (to take action to manually activate trailer brakes) then truck will do it for you...

This assumes you have the factory towing pkg and other necessary hardware/sensors, correct?

Good info there Shane, thanks. Where did you find it?

 

[shane_th_ee]

Huh... So, pay attention while driving w/trailer and if sway starts and you don't notice (to take action to manually activate trailer brakes) then truck will do it for you...

This assumes you have the factory towing pkg and other necessary hardware/sensors, correct?

Good info there Shane, thanks. Where did you find it?

My 2018 brochure says the trailer sway control thing is standard on all Expeditions.

Here's Ford’s you tube video:

There’s also a short explainer in the owners manual...

 

[LG_123]

Definitely get weight distribution. It will be safer and more enjoyable to drive. You also won’t have to worry about it if you upgrade to a larger trailer someday.

 

[Fred Moore]

Thank you Shane. I had no understanding how Ford’s anti-sway worked. Makes sense.

 

[Fred Moore]

I am very pleased with the performance of my Reese Straight-line WDH with anti-sway control. While I drive with the Ford feature active, I don’t depend on it a bit. I load the trailer carefully, drive intelligently, and know I have equipped my towing set-up the best I can. Sure makes towing less stressful.

Highly recommend a WDH hitch.

Thanks to all who have served this country. We honor you with this day.

 

[PhrogPilot]

Another vote of “Yes” for the WDH. We have a trailer similar to the OP - 21 feet and 4500lbs when fully loaded. When we hook up there is a little bit of sag in the back (rise in the front). If nothing else, the WDH will keep our headlights from blinding oncoming drivers because it levels everything back out. We have a Reese 66151 which has integrated sway control - trailer is always rock solid behind us although we only go up to 62-63 mph when towing so not likely to sway at that speed.

 

[NyackRob79]

Are there any issues with backing up while equipped with WDH? I see different types listed on etrailer.com. Some disallow backing up. I only ask because my driveway is an upslope turn with landscaping on the edges. I was able to back it up with some help, but am curious whether WDH restricts backing turns, etc.

 

[shane_th_ee]

Are there any issues with backing up while equipped with WDH? I see different types listed on etrailer.com. Some disallow backing up. I only ask because my driveway is an upslope turn with landscaping on the edges. I was able to back it up with some help, but am curious whether WDH restricts backing turns, etc.

Usually you have to disable the sway control part or disconnect the bars...

 

[Meeker]

Usually you have to disable the sway control part or disconnect the bars...

I've used 2 different kinds and never had restrictions on backing up. Currently use Blue Ox. Don't buy anything that has that restriction, it will be a big pain!

 

[byathread]

I've used 2 different kinds and never had restrictions on backing up. Currently use Blue Ox. Don't buy anything that has that restriction, it will be a big pain!

I agree, enough ******** around getting a WDH connected to run with let alone having to get out and **** around with it if you need to back up/maneuver. No thanks!

 

[duneslider]

I have the Reese and have no issues backing. I honestly am not sure what sort of WDH would not allow for backing up? I have used Blue Ox, Equal-i-zer, and Reese and they all are fine backing up. The blue ox that I used didn't have sway control, it was just WDH. The other two both are friction based sway control and didn't have issues backing.

 

[Wnomis]

I have been under the impression that all expys 18 and up have the “towing package” but that doesn’t mean squat besides it has a hitch. I ordered and installed the factory trailer brake controller myself (took about an hour) but took it to the dealer to get it programmed. Now I can tow the 6k (My camper is only 3100 dry) safely without the heavy duty tow package I wish I had....... I believe the expys have a 600# tounge weight allotment but would definitely get the WDH for traveling across the county with 4 kids in the back just for the safety of it. Safer is better.

 

[Calidad]

Sway control is simply stability control that limits your inputs so you don’t make it worse.

The only response to sway is to slow down ASAP!! Trailer brake application will slow you and pull the rig into a straight line however!!! This only reduces or stops sway if you slow enough to get trailer stability high enough to stop sway.

Sway is a stability factor which can be impacted by wind, speed, tire pressures and yes trailer loading ie weight forward vs behind the axle.

Trailer brake will only buy you minimal recovery especially if the sway and cause are severe enough to pose a serious problem.

Vehicle anti sway system is basically standard in all modern cats an trucks it simply cuts power and works to slow the vehicle it does nothing to a trailer with sway issues simply shuts you down and prevents you from doing the rookie speed up or maintained speed instead of slowing down ASAP then inspecting the trailer to add stability or fix the cause of instability etc.