Weight Distribution Hitch for Towing 8000-lb Travel Trailer with 2018 Ford F-150  

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The towing capacity for the 2018 Ford F-150 depends on the specific drivetrain and chassis components - engine, rear differential, cab style and wheelbase. Some models will have plenty of towing capacity but not all so I suggest checking the online Ford Towing Guide. As an example, the 2018 F-150 4 x 2 regular cab with 3.5L V6 and 3.55 axle ratio and 141-inch wheelbase can tow 10,700-lbs. Some other combinations of equipment mean lower or higher trailer towing capacity.

The length and weight of your trailer means you will want a weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) system to keep the truck's front tires firmly on the pavement to maintain steering and braking performance and to prevent rear-end suspension sag from the trailer's tongue weight (TW).

The key to choosing the right one is knowing the actual fully-loaded trailer TW. This is easily measured with a scale # e99044. Load your trailer with all your usual supplies, fill water and propane tanks, load sporting gear, etc and then measure the trailer TW. Also add into this measured weight the weight of any cargo in the truck that sits behind the rear axle - say a generator or big cooler - since this will act like trailer TW.

You want your total TW to fall in the middle of the system's operating range. If your trailer TW ends up at the 1100-1200-lb range, you want a system rated for 1000- to 1400-lbs. You can refer to the linked page to see WD/SC systems like the Equal-I-zer # EQ37140ET which is rated perfectly for TW in this range. This system is all-inclusive; it even comes with a 2-5/16-inch hitch ball. This setup will both keep the truck and trailer level but also fight trailer sway from passing trucks and wind gusts.

The linked video and article will detail the benefits of using a WD/SC system with your travel trailer.

expert reply by: Adam R

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