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I have a 12,000 lb boat I want to pull with my F250. It doesn' have a weight distributing hitch, nor have I ever seen a weight distributing hitch on a boat like this (31 Contender).
I was looking at the hitch when I was installing my new 12,000 2" ball mount with 25,000 lb ball and I saw a sticker that reads unless I have a weight distributing hitch, this hitch can only handle 6,000 lbs??? My old half ton could handle that much weight! What gives?
C Trial , Congrats , you read the sticker . Don't forget to read the OWNERS MANUAL for the rest of the info.
This is what I preach all the time . You will also find out that , that Weight distributing MAX is on a GOOSE NECK or 5th WHEEL set up .
Is that the 2 1/2" Receiver ?
__________________ F350 4x4/ Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins
Leaving the Picture of the Ford cuz I miss it
Pacific 2325 cc
Honda bf225
aluminumalloyboats.com
A couple of things at play here. Hitch capacity and Truck capacity. Truck may be rated to haul more but the hitch they put on is the limiter. Look in you handbook for the numbers for your truck. Don't rely on the door sticker. I have a 2000 F250 Superduty and had to upgrade the hitch get the additional weight the truck would haul. Weight distributing hitches are usually used on big travel trailer, conventional pull. They help keep the tongue weight from sagging down the rear of the tow vehicle. Not acquainted with any for 5th wheel type trailers. Surge brake systems don't work very well with weight distributing hitches.
I was at a Ferd dealer yesterday looking around, and I notice that all the spec stickers are now on the BOTTOM of the hitch frame?? you have to lay down on the ground and look up to see them...
Do some searches here on THT on Weight Distributing Hitches. You don't see them much on trucks pulling boat trailers because (to my knowledge) there's only one brand that is compatible with surge brake actuators.
I pull a 31 FishAround, and would never choose to pull something that big without a W/D hitch. There's a big improvement in stability over a standard hitch. Feel free to hit me up if you've got any questions.
Bill
Yep, why Ford put those on these trucks is beyond me. I have towed 9,000 lbs. on them though. My new boat is heavier and I found a 2.5" reciever from a newer Ford truck that handles much more. You will need to spend a couple hundred bucks and get another reciever that will handle more. The big difference I found when they were on the ground for comparison was they were basically the same setup...except for the 2.5" reciever hole and the larger frame mount bolts.
Since almost every WD hitch I have seen is usually a part of the ball mount and not a part of receiver, I have to imagine that the message is: "That the receiver is capable of way higher weight, but it just plain is not safe to tow much bigger loads without the load controlling features a WD hitch adds in both leveling and distributing the load and sway control".
I may be wrong but if you are considering anywhere near 12k ish loads with a 3/4 without WD, I think you need to seriously talk to more experienced big boat towers. The max I personally have towed is a little over 7k, but I have towed it with and without WD and I would not be without it again. The Equalizer brand works well with surge brakes and is one brand to consider.
I would put the money you would spend on a new reciever toward a good WD system for what you have now. Just one opinion. At least the ball will transfer over.
Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands / Sammamish, WA
Posts: 532
Hmmmm.....I think you have to order the trailer tow package to get the 12.5k hitch for the Super Duty. Did your truck have this option (do you have the integrated trailer brake controller?)
So I have a 2008 F250 and thought that I had a class V wd hitch so I was thinking that I am good to go for the max of 12,500k. How do I know / How can I check for sure to see if I have the class V hitch?
So I have a 2008 F250 and thought that I had a class V wd hitch so I was thinking that I am good to go for the max of 12,500k. How do I know / How can I check for sure to see if I have the class V hitch?
Unless you have a F450 or bigger you do NOT have a class V hitch. They are cheap and will allow you to upgrade to a 2.5" hitch. Just do it.
Location: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands / Sammamish, WA
Posts: 532
I don't know that it's labeled "class V" but my 2008 F250 diesel came from the factory with a "12.5k hitch" according to the paperwork. From what I've read online it became the standard hitch for the SuperDuty in 2008 yet I see threads like this one that seem to contradict that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by C-Trial
Unless you have a F450 or bigger you do NOT have a class V hitch. They are cheap and will allow you to upgrade to a 2.5" hitch. Just do it.
I ordered a class V hitch from Ford and it is being installed Wednesday. $320 installed.
It has a 2.5" ball mount, so I should be good to go.
I did like you and assumed that the hitch would be rated for atleast what the truck was rated to tow 2004 Yukon Xl. After getting the truck home I noticed the sticker and had to buy a new hitch. So its not just Ford.
I am still cornfused.....My rig has the integrated trailer brake controller, etc.. I have the same sticker on my hitch as C-Trial. Again, how do I know for sure?
I just wanna make sure that I need it before I hook up my 10k pound plus rig. Thanks
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6000 lb hitch on a 2009 F250??? 
