Question:
I just traded in our van on a 1999 F250 Super Duty Short Bed Crew Cab
2wd. When we pulled our 19 ft Hi-Lo funlite with the van, it was
essential that we use the weight distributing hitch. I haven't had it
to the scale, but for the purposes of this discussion, let's assume it
weighs 3500 lbs, wet and loaded, and it has about 425 lbs of tongue
weight. The truck is rated to handle this without weight distribution,
but I have the hitch already so it's no big deal to use it.
It seems like the truck might ride a little softer with some weight on
the back. If I do use it, do I need to set it up as aggressively as it
was for the van, or should I just take up a little of the tongue weight.
If it makes a difference, I have the adjustable height Draw-tite with
550 lb bars.
In case you were wondering why we got such a big truck to pull a small
trailer... We upgraded from our tent trailer to the Hi-Lo just before
going on vacation this year. The Hi-Lo was as big of a trailer as the
van could handle, and I'm sure we were tearing up the van by pulling the
load. After living in the Hi-Lo for 2 weeks, we loved the hard sided
trailer, but we wanted a few more feet..... We spent some time looking
at new trailers before we chose a vehicle. I think we will be buying a
24-26' bunkhouse model trailer or fifth wheel before too long. In the
meantime, I'll be pulling the Funlite with the new truck.
Answer:
Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't bother with the spring bars for
such a light trailer with a big truck like that (if your numbers are
correct). You're not even close to stressing the suspension with a light
load like that.
