Newbie: Ball hitch questions

[Buyer2021]

Changing the ball on a hitch is not a big deal if you have a large enough wrench for the nut.

Tip for the newbies - buy the big box-end wrench to fit your ball nut (good harbor freight item), insert your stinger rotated 90degrees in your receiver so the nut points left or right, then you can literally stand on the wrench to break-loose or tighten the ball nut.

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[{tpc}]

I think when you rent a travel trailer, they will supply a hitch (most likely a wdh). If your buying one in the range you describe, from a dealer, at a minimum I would ask them to throw one in on the deal, or at least discount one. I wouldn't pull a TT of any decent size without a wdh.

 

[Calson]

I pulled a 13,000 lb trailer load with my 2500 Duramax and no need for a WDH with its strong frame. A 1500 pickup is a different class of vehicle and best to consult the current Ford Trailering Guide for specifics.

My 2022 F-150 was rated for a tow load of 14,000 lbs but the factory hitch was rated for only 11,600 lbs. Balls are also load rated and important to check when buying one. Some 2-5/16 balls are rated for 10K lbs and others for 15K or even 20K lbs.

 

[CompleteTruckNewbie]

I think when you rent a travel trailer, they will supply a hitch (most likely a WDHs). If your buying one in the range you describe, from a dealer, at a minimum I would ask them to throw one in on the deal, or at least discount one. I wouldn't pull a TT of any decent size without a wdh.

yeah I looked at trailers on outdoorsy and they usually come with a WDHs and in fact several people mention you must use theirs, they don't want you to attach yours.
I did see a 5500lbs/500lbs hitch weight that didn't have one , I suppose it's right at that borderline.
That's why in the end I bought a cheapie single 2" for the occasional UHaul or Home Depot trailer. (I might rent one of those for a day just to go practice my maneuvering/backing up skills)

There seems to be a lot of differences between WDHs, maybe not so much in the 7500lbs range, and I don't know that'd want to trust the dealer freebie, but I'm not at that stage yet.

 

[{tpc}]

yeah I looked at trailers on outdoorsy and they usually come with a WDHs and in fact several people mention you must use theirs, they don't want you to attach yours.
I did see a 5500lbs/500lbs hitch weight that didn't have one , I suppose it's right at that borderline.
That's why in the end I bought a cheapie single 2" for the occasional UHaul or Home Depot trailer. (I might rent one of those for a day just to go practice my maneuvering/backing up skills)

There seems to be a lot of differences between WDHs, maybe not so much in the 7500lbs range, and I don't know that'd want to trust the dealer freebie, but I'm not at that stage yet.

If you get a good trailer dealer, they will install a decent hitch. Maybe not a top of the line, but nothing to worry about. Typically its a chain one, with a single friction sway control. Those are actually not that bad, but I would install a second friction sway control on the other side. (thats what I had when I started). If offered that, you could ask what it costs and then chip in some extra to have them upgrade it to a equalizer style one.

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