Weight Distribution Hitch Question

[SigOris]

WOW !!!! I'd reply with my brand.....but my opinion would probably suck.....so put me with Dave and David !!!!!!

but I value you yours

Sponsored

 

[SigOris]

Ha! Me and @AzScorpion ain't got no time to be talking to you anyway! =p

We're either graphening our trucks or dragging crap to the dump! =D

oh yeah, Ranger towing an F150 and a trailer!

saw an article about a possible Ranger Super Duty in Australia

 

[SigOris]

This is what i should be using. The other one is too stiff. Made for a heavier trailer

On our previous TT, the dealer sold us an Easy Lift that uses chains. Hoping a mechanical engi=neer can extra the pros and cons of chain vs solid bars

 

[SigOris]

This is a very loaded question. The fact is most of the reasonably priced hitches all work the same. Basically a hitch head with some manner of spring bars sized based on tongue weight/trailer weight. The Equal-I-Zer and the E2 probably the most popular. I have not tried the Anderson hitch, but it gets good reviews. If money is no object there is the Pro Pride hitch, but it is sized for larger trailer sizes/weights.

The big difference in most of the hitches is whether they use chains or brackets on the trailer frame.to tension the spring bars. Most manufacturers will make both types. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The chain type will usually require a separate friction sway control bar which needs to be taken off to back-up. They do tend be quieter than the bracket type when turning corners. The bracket type uses the friction of the bar on the bracket and sometimes the pivots of the bars for sway control, and can be backed up with no need to remove anything. They do tend to be noisyer due to the bars sliding on the brackets.

All this being said, I use a Husky Centerline TS hitch when towing my 4K TT. I've been very happy with it, but have not tried any other hitches to know if they are better or worse. This is probably the case with most of the answers you will get. The hitch they have is the one recommended/sold by the dealer that sold them the trailer, and the only one they have ever used.

Thanks.

The TT we just sold was our first and didn't know any better. So now I'm taking the time to educate myself.

Appreciate the detailed response.

 

[Grumpaw]

Type of hitch you need will be determined by several factors......
Loaded trailer tongue weight will determine what weight bars you need.
Type of coupler on trailer....weather it is an overslung or underslung coupler.
Bar or chain is up to you. I have always used a chain type, but I have never used a friction sway control addition which has to be disconnected if your backing up. AgaIn, I have never felt the need for one, andit is up to you. But if properly set up, chances are, with a chain type, you will not need one.
My preference, and current is a Blue Ox Sway Pro with my needed 750 lb bars.

 

[subquark]

saw an article about a possible Ranger Super Duty in Australia

Saw that too and sounds impressive. Quoted:

Compared to other mid-sized trucks, Ranger Super Duty can:

• Tow more: 4,500kg maximum braked towing capacity (9,900 lbs)
• Carry more: 4,500kg GVM (9,900 lbs)
• Do more: 8,000kg GCM (17,600 lbs)

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...19/ford-ranger-super-duty-coming-in-2026.html

What the heck is "Do more"?!?

I'll stick to Ranger Soupie Duty! =D

 

[Grumpaw]

Saw that too and sounds impressive. Quoted:

Compared to other mid-sized trucks, Ranger Super Duty can:

• Tow more: 4,500kg maximum braked towing capacity (9,900 lbs)
• Carry more: 4,500kg GVM (9,900 lbs)
• Do more: 8,000kg GCM (17,600 lbs)

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...19/ford-ranger-super-duty-coming-in-2026.html

What the heck is "Do more"?!?

I'll stick to Ranger Soupie Duty! =D

Do more dump runs.....??????

 

[Big Blue]

Type of hitch you need will be determined by several factors......
Loaded trailer tongue weight will determine what weight bars you need.
Type of coupler on trailer....weather it is an overslung or underslung coupler.
Bar or chain is up to you. I have always used a chain type, but I have never used a friction sway control addition which has to be disconnected if your backing up. AgaIn, I have never felt the need for one, andit is up to you. But if properly set up, chances are, with a chain type, you will not need one.
My preference, and current is a Blue Ox Sway Pro with my needed 750 lb bars.

I deffer to the man with much more towing experience than I on the additional friction sway control device. From my personal experience of using only a sway bar before deciding I really needed a WDH, I made my personal decision to get a hitch with built-in sway control. Whether I really need it or it's just along for the ride, I don't know.

As @Grumpaw said there are a number of factors based on your trailer choice that may affect your choices of hitch. But, ultimately they all work basically the same and the biggest thing is to get them setup properly.

 

[Friday yet?]

Do more dump runs.....??????

And bigger dump runs.

 

[Cabose-1]

The ranger is a perfect size truck! If i could have a payload of 2509 lbs, and tow 9900lbs that would be perfect!!
Goodsize truck with the benefits of a good modern f150, not the cheap ones that are on par with the ranger, id get one!
F150 just too large, maverick too small ranger perfect.
With all the work i do with it this would allow me to do more without having to look for a slightly more capable truck. Whether diezel or petrol would be the same difference for me.

 

[notsolinear]

We have the Blue Ox Sway Pro and like it. Can backup without doing anything special, and it rarely makes any noise for us. Something I like about the design is that you can hitch and unhitch without any load on the spring bars (if you jack the rear end up far enough). No possibility of losing grip on the lever bar and having it snap back and hit you.

 

[awd.nv]

I run the Equalizer 10k WDH on our ~4500lb loaded Geo Pro 19BH, been towing for 3yrs with the setup. I called Equalizer about it before buying since they also had an 8k WDH but they assured me as long as I adjust it properly, it would be ok. BlueOx was another brand I considered, helpful phone support as well.

 

[ctechbob]

I run the Equalizer 10k WDH on our ~4500lb loaded Geo Pro 19BH, been towing for 3yrs with the setup. I called Equalizer about it before buying since they also had an 8k WDH but they assured me as long as I adjust it properly, it would be ok. BlueOx was another brand I considered, helpful phone support as well.

Odd that they would tell you to have the springs that stiff. I would think that could possibly be extra stress on some things when you're going up and down sharp hills.

 

[awd.nv]

Odd that they would tell you to have the springs that stiff. I would think that could possibly be extra stress on some things when you're going up and down sharp hills.

I think it just depends on how you adjust it. The bars should be stiffer than an 8k kit but technically at rest I would think the stress is the same, as long as adjusted properly.

I used to have their 4k WDH from a smaller trailer so I tried that one first before buying a new one. I had to really put stress on the bars to get it right and I also felt in cross winds it wasn't as stable as the 10k WDH. It's probably similar effect to a stiffer sway bar on a vehicle. I just know it tows great in crosswinds which sometimes are +30mph here.

Oh want to add, I remember the first time towing with my 1" wheel spacers, I did them for appearance but man, even that helped make the truck more stable towing in crosswinds. We were going home from Havasu and was one of those bad cross winds days and the difference was noticeably better.

Sponsored