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Old 10-20-2014, 03:00 PM   #1
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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
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Autometer Gauges (EGT, Trans & Water temp, Boost)
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Old 10-20-2014, 03:15 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 10-20-2014, 04:07 PM   #3
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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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Old 10-20-2014, 04:09 PM   #4
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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
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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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Old 10-20-2014, 04:14 PM   #5
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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.
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Old 10-21-2014, 07:20 AM   #6
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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..
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Old 10-21-2014, 07:28 AM   #7
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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.
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Old 10-21-2014, 08:49 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 33 RLDS View Post
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.
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
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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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Old 10-21-2014, 09:15 AM   #9
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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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Old 10-21-2014, 09:27 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 33 RLDS View Post
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.
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

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Old 10-21-2014, 09:37 AM   #11
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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.
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Old 10-21-2014, 10:47 AM   #12
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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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Old 10-21-2014, 11:37 AM   #13
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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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