How many use weight distribution bars for towing? I am going to be towing my 382 Formula about 650 miles w/F250 SRW and would like to know if I should purchase a bar set up. I have a Putnam class V hitch and firestone airbags set up for the rear.

Thanks in advance for the input.

I want to start by saying that overkill while towing is a good thing. You cannot ever have too much truck/motor/brakes, hitch.


If you arent exceeding either your truck or your hitch w/o it, dont purchase it. You will be fine with the airbags. The only thing that will really change much is a dually....and a WD wont accomplish that.

Your load is probably 13,500-14,000 lbs. with that steel trailer.

Regardless if your truck is a CC Longbed, (longest wheelbase available) or not; passing 18 wheelers is going to put you all over the road. If you have an Extended Cab and or Shortbed, you will be even more 'wandery." I am willing to bet, you will have the truck & bed pretty loaded up with passengers, luggage, tools, etc. too; and all of these reduce your towing capacity.

I have towed with and without Weight Distributing bars on a 12,000-12,500 lbs. load. You have a good setup with the hitch and airbags.

If I were you, yes I would invest in the Weight Distribution setup. However, you will also be in much better shape with 8-10" wide wheels and E-load rated 10-ply tires on your truck as well. Also, make sure the boat is as empty on fuel as possible.

OK, one with & one with out... here is more info, 06-F250 Crew Cab Super Duty. I thought the distribution bars would also help with the sway control, but the truck and trailer tow really well down the highway as is.

I agree that you can never be to safe and overkill is always better in this case.

Thanks for the input

Traditional trunnion bars (with chains) will NOT help with sway control. Only weight balance on truck and trailer setup will help this.

This Weight Distributing hitch:
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/
...claims that they work with surge brake systems; but I have no experience or direct input from any users.

Oh yes...that hitch is going to save the world.....

I have one, never used it, and will sell cheap. It sits behind the rear seat of my F350, and Ive moved it from my 05, to my 06, and now in my 07. Jeff

Not at all? I just bought one that had extra struts for that purpose.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD~66074.htm

And I believe I was turned onto it by you on a previous thread

There are quite a few different configurations.

If you are going to use the two trunnion bars, as I did, with a Surge Brake System on your trailer. You CANNOT install Sway Control Bars/Struts. They will render your surge brake system inoperable.

If you are using Electric/Hydraulic Brakes on your trailer, you can use a Weight Distributing Hitch AND install the optional Sway Control Bars/Struts. (Typically a third bar/strut on the passenger side of the hitch, back to the trailer toungue.)

This WILL help with sway control.

Just using traditional Weight Distributing without the sway control struts/bars, all you will benefit from is smoother weight transfer over bumps and less rebounding on the tow vehicle, which WILL help you control the towed load better. However, this will do nothing to keep you from being blown into the next lane when passing 18-wheelers. Only solution: Dually.

J.B.

Did you purchase the 382 from Pt Clinton, Ohio? Looks like one at J&J sales.

I pull a 382 with an F-350 and weight distributing hitch. MUCH nicer ride, MUCH less bucking and MUCH safer. The 382 is #10,400 dry. Eagle triple axle steel trailer is #3000 on the nose. Add a little fuel and gear, you are easily in excess of #14,000.

Go with the WD set-up. You will not regret it. Agree a dually will be better and safer for towing this heavy.