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10-20-2014, 03:00 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 88
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Hitch for 3/4 ton TV and 37-ft TT
Greetings -
We are soon to become first-time RV travel trailer owners. I would appreciate some wise counsel on what would be the most prudent WD/SC (weight-distribution/sway-control) hitch to purchase given our 3/4-ton tow vehicle (1999 Ford F-250 PSD 7.3) and 37-foot travel trailer (10,000 GVWR).
I have read the forums and it seems like about a 50/50 split on the premium Hensley Arrow/Pro-Pride type of mechanical WD/SC hitches and the friction-type hitches like Equal-i-zer, Reese Dual Cam, Blue Ox, etc.
Also sounds like if someone's tow vehicle is 3/4 to 1-ton then the super-high priced mechanical hitches may not be as necessary.
I certainly don't mind paying for safety but I just don't want to spend more than is necessary.
Many thanks!
Dave
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 32 BHDS (Elite, Technology, Thermal pkgs, 50-amp)
1999 Ford F-250 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4 Lariat Crew Cab SRW 3.73
6.0L Upgraded Transmission Cooler
Autometer Gauges (EGT, Trans & Water temp, Boost)
K&N Cold Air Intake; MBRP 4" Turbo Back Exhaust
Curt Class IV Receiver Hitch
Prodigy P3 Brake Controller; ProPride 3P Hitch 1400#
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10-20-2014, 03:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 202
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I am not familiar with the specs on that year Ford, but it sounds like you have enough truck. I suggest the 14K Equal-I-Zer hitch - only a little more in cost than the next steps down and plenty of capacity for tongue weight.
I have no experience with the other hitches, but the Equal-I-Zer and enough truck seems to work quite well for me. It is a little hard for me to believe that the premium hitches work so much better that they are worth four times the money; but, again, I have no experience myself.
I also admit that I like the simplicity of the Equal-I-Zer.
__________________
2012 Ram 2500 CC CTD
2015 Jayco Jayflight 28BHBE
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10-20-2014, 04:07 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: White Salmon, Wa.
Posts: 550
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I have the 12K Reese Dual Cam and have had no isues with it I like the way it works and cant say that i have had any sway. And I am not familiar with the other hitches that you have listed but am sure that they are good as well .
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Randy
Washington, State.
2011 Jayco G2 25RKS
2004 Dodge 2500 CTD
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10-20-2014, 04:09 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 88
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Thanks, Russell.
Here are towing specs from 1999 Ford Super Duty Towing Chart (F-250 SRW)
GCWR 20,000
GVWR 8,800
Payload 2,900
Rear Axle Rating 6,830
Available payload (2,900 lbs) to be calculated as follows: weight of all cargo in bed of truck + weight of passengers + trailer tongue weight
If GVWR of TT is 10,000 lbs (assuming we fill the thing up to that weight) then that translates to tongue weight of about 1200-1500 lbs.
Weight of five passengers (crew cab) is about 600 lbs (2 adults and 3 kids).
We are up to 1800-2100 lbs toward our max 2900 payload which leaves about 1000 lbs of gear to throw in the bed of the truck (luggage, etc.). That's using the most conservative weight estimates, so I feel pretty good about that.
NOTE: Dry weights of the TT models we are looking at are 7300-7700 lbs so the above estimates assume we load the trailers with over 2000 lbs of gear, water, etc.
Additional thoughts?
Many thanks,
Dave
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 32 BHDS (Elite, Technology, Thermal pkgs, 50-amp)
1999 Ford F-250 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4 Lariat Crew Cab SRW 3.73
6.0L Upgraded Transmission Cooler
Autometer Gauges (EGT, Trans & Water temp, Boost)
K&N Cold Air Intake; MBRP 4" Turbo Back Exhaust
Curt Class IV Receiver Hitch
Prodigy P3 Brake Controller; ProPride 3P Hitch 1400#
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10-20-2014, 04:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peachtree City, Georgia
Posts: 257
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I've had a Reese trunnion WD hitch with friction sway, a Reese Dual Cam and currently use a Blue Ox Sway Pro. The simplest to use, quietest and virtually grease free is the Blue Ox.
__________________
2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 5.7 Hemi 4.10
2015 Jayco Eagle 284BHBE
2009 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 256RKS
2007 Jayflight 20BH
1997 Fleetwood Cheyenne PUP
1984 Rockwood 1080 - PUP 1969 Coleman PUP
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10-21-2014, 07:20 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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I have the H-A and it is GREAT.. but I would say if you have the dollars go with the Pro-Pride. The PP is made by the fellow that invented the H-A and has some improvements over the H-A. Compared to other types the H-A/P-P is like comparing tinker-toys to a real skyscraper. I say this after having a semi force me off the road on I-15. The trailer just stayed right behind me as I went for the shoulder and the eased back on the road..
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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10-21-2014, 07:28 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CENTRAL NEW YORK
Posts: 984
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Something else that might be a concern it the receiver hitch on the truck. On my 2500 GM they used the same hitch as the 1500 and its pretty flimsy. I upgraded to a class IV on mine. I am not sure what the Fords use.
__________________
2013 33 RLDS
2004 Chevy Avalanche 2500 8.1
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2
2016 CTS 4 2.0T
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0
2015 Chrysler 200C AWD
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10-21-2014, 08:49 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 33 RLDS
Something else that might be a concern it the receiver hitch on the truck. On my 2500 GM they used the same hitch as the 1500 and its pretty flimsy. I upgraded to a class IV on mine. I am not sure what the Fords use.
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That is a super point. I went out and looked at my hitch this morning and it looks like I've got a Class III based on the following:
~ 2-inch receiver opening
~ Weight Carrying: 5,000# max gross trailer wt / 500# max tongue wt
~ Weight Distributing: 10,000# max gross trailer wt / 1000# max tongue wt
Looks like I definitely want to upgrade to Class IV hitch.
Thank you! I so appreciate the expertise on this forum!
Dave
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 32 BHDS (Elite, Technology, Thermal pkgs, 50-amp)
1999 Ford F-250 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4 Lariat Crew Cab SRW 3.73
6.0L Upgraded Transmission Cooler
Autometer Gauges (EGT, Trans & Water temp, Boost)
K&N Cold Air Intake; MBRP 4" Turbo Back Exhaust
Curt Class IV Receiver Hitch
Prodigy P3 Brake Controller; ProPride 3P Hitch 1400#
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10-21-2014, 09:15 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Bend
Posts: 7
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I bought a new ProPride 3P this year and have towed about 6,000 miles so far. it's been used in all kinds of conditions, including high winds. I hardly know my trailer is behind me and have never had any sway. Installation and hook up are both very easy.
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10-21-2014, 09:27 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 33 RLDS
Something else that might be a concern it the receiver hitch on the truck. On my 2500 GM they used the same hitch as the 1500 and its pretty flimsy. I upgraded to a class IV on mine. I am not sure what the Fords use.
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Here is a pic of the one I switched out to a Curt Class V on my 1500 a few years back. Note the difference in the Curt ( 54 lbs)and the GM stock hitch (33 lbs).
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...t=hitch+update
__________________
2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
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10-21-2014, 09:37 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 202
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dsmith3:
Your analysis is just about like mine and it looks like you have plenty of truck. I have no first hand experience, but everything I have heard about the 7.3 PSD is positive. I was talking to a guy who is doing a conversion of an Econoline van to a dually that has the 7.3 PSD and he says it is a monster.
My truck had a class IV receiver; I second your thought on a replacing your receiver.
I figured everything conservatively and chose to round up rather than down. I did not find much difference in price by going up one step. I would think you'll want the 14K for your tongue weight.
I have heard the Reese dual-cam and blue-ox work quite well. As far as the HA and PP go, my personal choice was to invest that money in the trailer suspension itself and a tire pressure monitoring system.
__________________
2012 Ram 2500 CC CTD
2015 Jayco Jayflight 28BHBE
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10-21-2014, 10:47 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 974
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I already owned the 12K equalizer when we got our 338RLTS. The specs call for the 14K but we have had zero issues with the 12K so no need to upgrade.
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No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar. Abraham Lincoln
2016 36FBTS Pinnacle
2016 F350, 6.7, 4x4, DRW, long bed
B & W Companion 5th wheel Hitch
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10-21-2014, 11:37 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Bremerton
Posts: 342
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I have a trunion style reese dual cam hitch and love the way it tows. I towed twice with just the WD bars (RV dealer didn't order the dual cam up front). Night and day difference w/ the cams installed.
my hitch is the 6 year old "old" style that had issues that have since been resolved by Cequent (reese parent co.)
- Trunion bars contacted threads on hitch ball during jack knife turns damaging my hitch head. Cequent mailed me a new design hitch head (free).
- Cam bars were not tucked under the frame enough causing my snap up braket and cam bar to bend. I had adjusted my bar tension WAY to high. Cequent sent new parts free. New design cams eliminated this problem.
Tim
2010 RAM 2500 CCLB (12,500# tow rating)
2008 JF 26BHS (9300# GVWR)
Reese dual cam w/1000# bars.
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