New receiver to avoid WDH setup?

[Highbeam]

So I haul RV trailers and my PJ 10k rated equipment trailer but not at the same time. In the past the ball height was very similar for both of these trailers and I used the same WDH setup on them. I replaced the RV with a modern one which is much much taller. The ball height is way at the top of the grave digger drop shank. This is unacceptable for my equipment trailer and I am now looking at buying a seperate WDH setup for 300$ for the equipment trailer. I will NOT be raising and lowering the ball height on my current WDH setup each time I want to tow.

Even on a big honking diesel F350 the factory receiver is not rated to tow the equipment trailer without a WDH system. I believe the weight carrying hitch max was only 500# tongue weight.

So I discovered that it is actually cheaper to replace the Ford receiver with a class 4 or 5 receiver rated for a 1000 lb tongue and 10,000 lb trailer without a WDH and then buy a hitch and ball that can also be found rated for 10,000#. This will mean that my receiver is more substantial for RV duties, and also it will be easier to hitch up the equipment trailer.

What is the boards opinion on upgrading the factory receiver instead of buying a second WDH setup?

 

[Highbeam]

The new trailer. We love it but boy is it tall.

 

[Sterff]

I also have a F350 and when I upgrade mine Im going with this 2 1/2" model...

Titan Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V - 2-1/2" Reese Trailer Hitch 45297

When used with a WDH it's rated for 18K and 2500 tounge weight. I think that would be beefy enough to ease any worries.

 

[Dmace]

Personally, I would buy another hitch ball and set it to the height for the camper with the WDH and leave it with the camper. You may get away with a heavier hitch and no WDH but you'll miss it.
I've hauled my camper and a few trailers without the WDH because the tongue weight was low but every bump really made the rear bounce and that's where the WDH shines!

 

[Diamondpilot]

My F-350 has a 2.5" hitch and its rated for 12,500# without WD and 15,000# with. I tow more than that all the time and have never used a WD hitch with it and no issues.

I do use a WD hitch some times on some of my other trucks but my F-350 just does not need it.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

My F-350 has a 2.5" hitch and its rated for 12,500# without WD and 15,000# with. I tow more than that all the time and have never used a WD hitch with it and no issues.

I do use a WD hitch some times on some of my other trucks but my F-350 just does not need it.

Chris

How much tongue weight does a boat trailer really have...?

Also, didn't you break a hitch right off a brand new truck? Still "no issues" overloading...

I broke the factory hitch on my brand new 2004 F-250 Powerstroke in the first year I got it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...18-14k-bumper-pull-questions.html#post2472919

 

[timswi]

How much tongue weight does a boat trailer really have...?

Also, didn't you break a hitch right off a brand new truck? Still "no issues" overloading...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...18-14k-bumper-pull-questions.html#post2472919

I'd use a WD when pulling a TT with anything...As you stated before, you know it when you get on washboards with a TT and no WD.

 

[Diamondpilot]

How much tongue weight does a boat trailer really have...?

Also, didn't you break a hitch right off a brand new truck? Still "no issues" overloading...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...18-14k-bumper-pull-questions.html#post2472919

My big boat has 1,800# tongue weight. I can barly lift it with my FEL on my tractor. Its rated 2,000# at 4' lift. My small boat has 860#. I posted weights with it behind my Titan when I went and got it a year ago. At that time it was only 820# tongue weight but I have since added a spare tire mount and a ladder to the winch crank.

Yes, I did on a brand new F-250. It was only rated at 6,000# and 10,000# with WD hitch. I broke it with 14,000# plus behind it. Totally my fault. I replaced it with a Reese Titan like someone posted above. Its a 2.5" unit and never had a single issue after that till we sold it last fall.

Chris

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The answer is near you in Sumner Washington at Torklift.

Torklift.com | Home of Torklift International

Have 2005 dodge Ram 3500 and needed to tow a #13000 Weekend Warrior toy hauler plus have both a #14000 Load Trail tilt deck trailer and dump trailers.

The Ram stock hitch is good for #10000 WD and #6000 non WD. The Super Hitch adds a second 2 inch receiver below the stock one on the Ram or on some applications replaces the stock receiver hitch entirely. With the Super Hitch the ratings go up to #15000 non WD and #17000 WD on either the top or bottom receiver and #12000 at the end of the 48" Super Truss double stinger if you have a camper on the truck.

Install on the Ram was easy to bolt on underneath otherwise the bed must be lifted to remove the stock hitch which I was looking at if I instaleed the 2 1/2" Reese Tow Beast. Having two receivers at different heights also give more versatility in having one stinger to use between the utility trailers and the toy hauler as they have different hitch heights. Also found the Reese Pro SC a good hitch to use as it combines weight distribution and sway control without using the cam system that can break in tight turns.

David Kb7uns

 

[dawzie]

I had to do the same thing with my GMC 2500HD. As mentioned, you may want to keep a WDH for the camper. I would, mostly for the sway control.