Recommended Heavy-Duty Trailer Hitch Receiver And Weight Distribution System For 2017 Ford F-250

Question:

I have a 2017 F-250 super duty with a 6.7 diesel engine. The towing receiver is limited to 1500 TW and 15,000 towing. I also have a 6 inch lift with the firestone airbag setup. I have just put a deposit down on a toy hauler travel trailer. The trailer has a TW of 1550lbs. with a dry weight of 9905lbs. GVWR of the trailer is 13000.lbs. I realize I need to upgrade the receiver to be more than 1500lbs on the truck but I also want to add a WDH with sway control and probably some sort of shank to accommodate the lift. Any advise would be much appreciated and hopefully you have all the information to guide me in the right direction. Also the dealer is pushing the sale of the recurve WDH that I am not sure would be a good fit for my vehicle. Thank you.

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

Congratulations on the new toy hauler!

You are correct that since your toy hauler has a tongue weight of rating of you will need to change the trailer hitch receiver on your 2017 Ford F-250 to one with a capacity, but you will want to check in the owner's manual to verify the capacities of your truck and use the lower rating between the hitch and vehicle.

I recommend the TorkLift SuperHitch Magnum Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class V - 2-1/2" and 2" # TLF1008-30 which has a 2500lb tongue weight rating and 20000lb trailer weight rating that gets bumped up to 3000lb tongue weight and 30000lb trailer weight when using the TorkLift SuperHitch Everest Weight Distribution System - 30,000 lbs GTW, 3,000 lbs TW # TLWD1000.

The correct weight distribution system will be dependent on the total tongue weight which is the weight of your fully loaded and ready to two trailer plus the weight of any cargo behind the rear axle of your truck. Since your trailer is at 1550lbs unloaded you will likely be quite a bit over 1600lbs total tongue weight.

The only system we have that is compatible with total tongue weights over 1600lbs is the TorkLift SuperHitch Everest Weight Distribution System - 30,000 lbs GTW, 3,000 lbs TW # TLWD1000 that I mentioned which is specific to the Torklift Magnum. This weight distribution hitch works with total tongue weights from 1500-3000lbs.

For a shank you will need either the Adjustable Shank 12-1/2" # TLM9010 or Adjustable Shank XL # TLM9011, but since you mentioned your truck has a 6" lift I would go with the # TLM9011 so you know you will have enough adjustment to level your trailer.

Lastly you will need 2-5/16" Hitch Ball # C40085.

I included videos for each of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.