Recommendations for Weight Distribution- 2006 Ford F150 Towing 5400 lb Trailer

Question:

Ok I have two questions . One being I have a 2006 ford f150. The class III hitch on the back says max gross trailer weight with WDH, 8000 lbs. Max tongue weight is 800lbs. The truck also has a lift gate that weighs 420lbs. This is included in tongue weight to be correctly figured. The trailer is an Anderson 18 foot car hauler weighted at 1900 lbs total empty. I am upgrading the brakes all the way around to heavy duty towing Powerstop, adding a brake controller Redarc. and have added Hellwig helper springs to get it just over level due to age sag and side boxes installed. Do you think this is going to be safe when all said and done ? Its the large V8 also. I do mobile service and sometimes need to bring a machine back for repairs that cannot be done in the field. the machines are less then 3500 fully dressed. Second question is I have a set of aluminum mags that are rated 1900 lbs each, are they OK to install on a set of 3500 lb axles. thanks in advance for your response.

asked by: ED

Expert Reply:

Typically, the tongue weight of a properly loaded trailer will be between 10-15% of the trailer weight. The trailer weight plus the maximum weight of the machine on the trailer would be as high as 5400 lbs which would put your tongue weight between 540 and 810 lbs, potentially right at the maximum for your hitch.

The sticker on your existing hitch will list two different ratings. One for towing, and a higher rating that will be applicable only if a weight distribution system is used. In order to realize the full 8K/800 lb tongue weight capacity of the existing hitch, you'll really need to use a weight distribution system. When the weight of the lift gate is added to the potentially worst-case trailer tongue weight, we're sitting slightly over 1200 lbs of tongue weight.

For a weight distribution system to handle that, I'd recommend you go with the Curt TruTrack, part # C17501. This system has a 1500 lb tongue weight capacity as well as the ability to provide reliable sway control. The trunnion style spring bars offer good ground clearance.

A higher capacity receiver hitch would have been a better option, but the power liftgate on the truck would interfere.

The Redarc and helper springs will work great for you.

The combined capacity of the wheels would be 7600 lbs. If you obtain the properly rated tires and stay below that weight figure, those wheels should work great for you.