Determining if Weight Distribution System is Needed for 2019 Ford F-350 and 13,500 Pound Trailer

Question:

I just picked up my 2019 f350 lariet and I’m gonna pull a 13,500 lb trailer. Can I just use a bandw heavy duty ball hitch?

asked by: David S

Expert Reply:

The B&W Tow & Stow 2-Ball Mount # BWTS20037B referenced in your question features a 18,000 pound towing capacity when used with the 2-5/16 inch ball so it certainly has the capacity needed to tow a 13,500 pound trailer. This is designed to fit into a 2-1/2 inch hitch receiver which is what your F-350 should be equipped with.

If you are wondering if just using a standard ball mount like this is sufficient instead of going with a weight distribution system and adjustable shank, it will just depend on a couple factors.

The first thing you want to look at is the weight of your truck in comparison to the weight of the trailer you are looking to pull. In general a weight distribution system is going to provide benefit if the trailer weight is more than 50 percent of the truck's weight. Your 2019 Ford F-350 can weigh between 5,859 pounds to 7,725 pounds so a 13,500 pound trailer definitely meets this factor.

Other things to look at when determining if a WD system is a good idea is if the rear of the truck sags when hooking up the trailer. You can also take note of any trailer sway you experience during travel or difficulty with overall control on the road when pulling it.

Even with a heavy-duty truck like your full ton Ford I really think a weight distribution system is a good idea when dealing with trailer weight like this. If you are still unsure you can always take the trailer out for a couple test drives just to see how everything handles.

When picking out a good system you will want to consider the total tongue weight of your setup. This includes the loaded tongue weight of the trailer plus any added cargo weight you have coming from behind the rear axle of the F-350. Ideally this number falls comfortably within the operating range for the system you choose.

A trailer's tongue weight should be 10 to 15 percent of its total weight so you are looking at a loaded tongue weight of around 1,350 to 2,000 pounds on your trailer. With this range I recommend taking a look at the Blue Ox SwayPro # BXW2000 that features a tongue weight capacity of 1,500 to 2,000 pounds and includes an adjustable shank to fit your 2-1/2 inch hitch receiver.

I have included a short video demonstration on this system that you can check out as well.

expert reply by: Chris R

Rick

9/6/2020

Do all of the tow and stow two ball systems also rise? some of my equipment I need them to rise in order to tow level and others I will have to have the drop down.. Thank you