Recommended Hitch and Weight Distribution for a 2012 Ford F-150 Towing a 2016 Dutchmen 6K Camper
Question:
Trying to help a friend, I haven’t seen his truck yet but his concern, having never towed a travel trailer before is if he turns sharp in an emergency which I told him he should not do can he damage his truck or trailer by contacting each other. I told him that if he buys the right trailer hitch, weight distribution equipment and stabilizers and sway bars etc… Not a bumper pull, he wants to buy a tt. A hitch and WD set up required The details I know now are: 2016 Dutchman 29’ 6000lbs camper 2012 Ford F150 with a 5.5’ bed, it concerned me that the truck came without a receiver on the back but he says it had a towing package??? He is considering these and I don’t know what if any he has purchased… C14002 C51140-C51436 C17062
asked by: Brian
Expert Reply:
I can help you figure out if the setup your friend is looking at will work well for the 2016 Dutchman Camper. You are correct about having the correct equipment to help prevent any contact with the truck and camper, even in an emergency situation.
Let's start with the hitch, the Curt # C14002 is a great hitch for his truck if it didn't already come with one. Its weight capacity is the highest among the ones offered for his vehicle but its important to note that it will not increase his trucks weight capacity, so you will be limited by the lowest rated setup.
It is likely that all the wiring is run for towing if he has the tow package model, but you are correct usually this would come equipped with a hitch too. If you find he needs wiring the correct 4-way harness for his vehicle is the # 18252. If he is in need of a 7-way then the # ETBC7 is a great harness to take your factory 4-way to a 7-way.
For the brake controller, I would instead highly recommend the Tekonsha P2 # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the amount of braking the tow vehicle is applying and applies a proportionate amount to the trailer brakes. With this harness he will need the # 22292 adapter to plug into his truck.
A few things to know about weight distribution systems are that you should not exceed capacities, you want to stay within the middle of your tongue weight range, trunnion style bars work well for low riding trailers, and sway control is good to have. So if his 2016 Dutchman when fully loaded weighs 6,000lbs his tongue weight will be about 10-15% of that, 600-900lbs. The Curt Weight Distribution System # C17062, he was looking at will work, as it has a 10,000lbs capacity. As long as he has the ground clearance for this round bar system it should work. The trunnion version of this Curt weight distribution hitch is # C17322. If you find that the trailer will be heavier than 6,000lbs when fully loaded, this includes all items behind the rear axle of the truck then let me know and I can help you find the right weight distribution setup for your needs.
Another safety feature I would recommend getting is a BreakAway kit like # 20099. This system is designed to bring a trailer safely to a stop by activating its electric brakes, should it disconnect while you are towing. The box simply mounts on the side of the trailer tongue.
I have linked several installation videos as well as weight distribution help articles for you and your friend to check out.
Products Referenced in This Question
4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 72" Harness, Circuit Tester and Wire Taps
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- 6 Feet Long
- Universal Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Built-In Charger - Side Load - 7" Wire
- Trailer Breakaway Kit
- Kit with Charger
- Side Load
- Single-axle
- Tandem-axle
- LED Tester
- Hopkins
more information >
Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Wiring Adapter
- Plugs into Brake Controller
- Vehicle Specific
- Tekonsha
more information >
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Curt MV Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - Round Bar - 10K GTW, 1K TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Does Not Allow Backing Up
- 900 lbs
- CURT
more information >
Curt Short-Arm Weight Distribution System with Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 10K GTW - 1K TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- No Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Does Not Allow Backing Up
- 900 lbs
- CURT
more information >
Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class IV
- 1000 lbs TW
- 10000 lbs GTW
- 12000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 1200 lbs WD TW
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Video: Air Lift Vehicle Suspension AL20086 Review
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Q&A: Increasing Towing Capacity of 2011 Ford F-150 With Factory Hitch
- Shop: Replacement Air Line Kit for Air Lift LoadLifter 5000, LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate, and Ride Control
- Shop: Replacement Operator, Knob and Screw for Ventline Ventadome Trailer Roof Vents w/ Wedge-Shaped Dome
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Article: Determining Trailer Tongue Weight
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: Towing Capacity of a 2014 Ford F-150 4x4 with 5.0 Liter Motor
- Q&A: Adding a 7-Way Trailer Connector and Brake Controller to a 2012 Ford F-150 with Factory 4-Way
- Q&A: Replacement for Gas Strut 654150
- Article: 2 Steps for Finding the Right Weight Distribution Hitch Size
- Q&A: What Is Thickness Of Material On Class lV Trailer Hitch For 2011 Ford F-150
- Q&A: Recommended Replacement for Factory Hitch on 2010 Ford F-150
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Article: 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches
- Article: How to Install a Trailer Hitch
- Article: Which Hitches are Made in the USA