F150 weight distribution hitch recommendations

[Apparition]

Probably a little of both. I've never towed 5th wheel or gooseneck, so I don't know. Intuitively, I'd guess having the tongue weight directly over the axle vs 5 feet (or more) away make a big difference. That much of a moment arm I'd guess can create a bit of a tail wagging the dog situation. Its not always a problem, but when it is, you want to know what to do and not crap your pants. Wind is MUCH more of a problem in my motorhome for some reason.

Enclosed bumper hitch trailers have always felt more wind affected to me, especially if they aren't loaded right. The other thing with them is being passed or passing a semi or large RV they can move around quite a bit.

The large goosenecks I've pulled were always livestock trailers or flatbeds hauling a tractor and such so a little different but much more stable.

I prefer the ease of backing up a bumper hitch but the gooseneck is more maneuverable.

If you won't have much weight in the trailer I'd think you'd want it located closer to the axles but in front of the axles.

 

[Apparition]

 

[BlueC]

Don't have to park if you go through the McDonalds drive through!

View attachment 523886

I don't have a pic, but I have pulled a 30' box trailer through a drive through years ago. At that time, the dining room was closed (after hours) and they were refusing service unless I drove through, but I wasn't dropping my trailer just for that, so I squeezed through, and gave them a surprise.

 

[ColoJeep]

I'd actually recommend you NOT use trailer assist to start.

^ This ^ , you NEED to know how to back up and maneuver using only the mirrors and steering wheel.
Then the gadgets may be fun to play with.

 

[Blackjack]

I have sold a few of these and the folks that have run them have liked them a lot. https://andersenhitches.com/product/weight-distribution-hitch/

Nice thing with them is you can back up a lot easier compared to other systems.

 

[Apparition]

^ This ^ , you NEED to know how to back up and maneuver using only the mirrors and steering wheel.
Then the gadgets may be fun to play with.

I’ve never tried the backup system on my truck

 

[tworley]

Have you left yet @Chris ? What route are you taking? If interstate thru Colorado, be very careful on I70 as there are 10k passes you need to crest with 7+% grades.

I'd suggest to lock out some gears when ascending and take it slow and stay in the right lane (I typically crest between 40-50 mph when pulling 6500 lbs). Keep a close eye on your gauges (coolant, oil and trans). I know on my f150, the 6R80 can unlock in all gears, not sure if yours can but I assume it does. Learn how to feel for the torque converter unlocking to try and keep your trans temp down.

When decending, pick a gear that will give you good engine braking. You do not want to ride the brakes! The east side of Eisenhower/Johnson tunnel is 45 miles of steep and winding downhill and I can only think of one runaway ramp on the east side. Same thing, take it slow. I shift mine between 3-4 with tow/haul on and I can maintain 45-55 the whole way down without touching the brakes if I do it right. The decent won't stop until you get into well into the Cities of Lakewood/Wheat Ridge near I70 & Wadsworth Blvd.

 

[BlueC]

I'd suggest to lock out some gears when ascending... When decending, pick a gear that will give you good engine braking. You do not want to ride the brakes!

I always forget that not everyone knows how to drive in the mountains. Years ago an old trucker I knew taught me "keep the gears down and the RPMs up" when going up or down a mountain. I always find a little humor in watching a car fly down a mountain highway with the brake lights lit up the whole time. You can smell them when they pass.

 

[tworley]

I always find a little humor in watching a car fly down a mountain highway with the brake lights lit up the whole time. You can smell them when they pass.

I see it regularly here. Some people will ride them for miles!

 

[Chris]

Have you left yet @Chris ? What route are you taking? If interstate thru Colorado, be very careful on I70 as there are 10k passes you need to crest with 7+% grades.

I'd suggest to lock out some gears when ascending and take it slow and stay in the right lane (I typically crest between 40-50 mph when pulling 6500 lbs). Keep a close eye on your gauges (coolant, oil and trans). I know on my f150, the 6R80 can unlock in all gears, not sure if yours can but I assume it does. Learn how to feel for the torque converter unlocking to try and keep your trans temp down.

When decending, pick a gear that will give you good engine braking. You do not want to ride the brakes! The east side of Eisenhower/Johnson tunnel is 45 miles of steep and winding downhill and I can only think of one runaway ramp on the east side. Same thing, take it slow. I shift mine between 3-4 with tow/haul on and I can maintain 45-55 the whole way down without touching the brakes if I do it right. The decent won't stop until you get into well into the Cities of Lakewood/Wheat Ridge near I70 & Wadsworth Blvd.

We made it here over Memorial Day weekend. It was an interesting drive for sure. No issues and the truck did just fine.

We ended up taking I-25 most of the way.

 

[BlueC]

We made it here over Memorial Day weekend. It was an interesting drive for sure. No issues and the truck did just fine.

How comfortable are you pulling a trailer now?

 

[Chris]

How comfortable are you pulling a trailer now?

Still getting the hang of backing it up but I'd say I'm pretty comfortable now after 1200 miles.

 

[BlueC]

Still getting the hang of backing it up

Keep practicing, and do it without aids, you'll eventually get it. It's a good skill to teach the kids too, especially since you have a little room now. I was pulling and backing trailers around 12 years old when I could reach the pedals and reliably drive a truck or tractor. Teach the wife too if you're feeling froggy.

 

[Zorba]

I always forget that not everyone knows how to drive in the mountains. Years ago an old trucker I knew taught me "keep the gears down and the RPMs up" when going up or down a mountain. I always find a little humor in watching a car fly down a mountain highway with the brake lights lit up the whole time. You can smell them when they pass.

Yup. There's been times when I've pulled my truck and trailer over going down hill to let traffic pass - most of it pissed off because I'm going too slow for them, some of them even pulling trailers! WITHOUT FAIL - a couple or three miles further, I'll start smelling burning brakes, and sure enough, there's Mr Flatlander pulled over with his head under his vehicle looking at his stinking brakes. Sometimes, it looked like he barely got it stopped before he ran out of turnout!

I gear down, and when RPMs get too high, I brake pretty sharply and get my speed down to almost a dead stop, then let off the brakes and stay off of them for as long as possible until the "next time" I have to repeat the operation. Brakes are for ONE purpose only: slowing/stopping your vehicle. They are NOT a speed maintenance device! And people are amazed that I typically get 80K to 100K out of a set of brakes.

 

[Zorba]

Still getting the hang of backing it up but I'd say I'm pretty comfortable now after 1200 miles.

Depending on situation, don't be afraid to open the driver's door and look back!

 

[BlueC]

Depending on situation, don't be afraid to open the driver's door and look back!

Be aware of surrounding when doing that. I watched a guy open his door a little further than designed one time. I think he used one of those invisible little yellow poles.

 

[tworley]

Be aware of surrounding when doing that. I watched a guy open his door a little further than designed one time. I think he used one of those invisible little yellow poles.

I've done it too had the door open and was watching where the trailer was going. The door caught a hillside right next to me, dug right into the ground and it did a full 180° before I could catch myself. Expensive mistake.

 

[Zorba]

My dad opened the door to look back often - and I do too. But my mother tried it once and almost fell out of the truck!