Weight Distribution Hitch Towing A 1978 Seacamper Houseboat

Updated 11/26/2019 | Published 11/25/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Reese Pole-Tongue Adapter for Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW

(25)

$250.63

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW

(840)

$694.49

Question:

I have a 2000 Ford F-250 7.3 diesel that I’m trying to pull a 1978 Seacamper trailerable houseboat with. The houseboat’s trailer has surge breaks. The exact weight of the boat is not definite, but should be around 6-7k lbs tops, and the trailer around 2k lbs tops. I would ideally like to also have around 1k lbs tops in the bedMotorcycles/supplies/whatever else. What are my options, and where can I have this installed professionally? I’m hoping you have a reference for this since I’ve called around, and it’s like speaking another language to these trailer/auto/truck shops. The picture I submitted was when I had a Ford Expedition with the heavy duty towing package. Supposedly it was able to handle @ 9100lbs towing capacity, and it was the most terrifying experience of my life, and I only made it a couple hundred miles before hiring a professional to finish the 2000+ mile journey. I’m assuming it was because I didn’t have a WDH, and the car was “dolphining”. Is this going to be the answer to trailering safely, and having a sense of security more importantly? When I trailered it with the expedition it was also swaying crazy whenever a tractor trailer passed. All, and any help is much appreciated! Thank you!

asked by: Andrew

Expert Reply:

A weight distribution system would definitely help reduce the sway you're describing. When you tow a trailer with a standard, rear-mounted hitch, your trailer's tongue weight is transferred to the rear axle of your tow vehicle. This can weigh down your vehicle's back end and cause the front end to point upward, especially on vehicles that have suspension designed for everyday comfort.

If this happens, your vehicle's rear axle will bear the weight of not only the trailer, but much of your tow vehicle's weight as well. What's more, the lessened weight on the vehicle's front axle can diminish your steering, traction, and stopping power. Your view of the road may be limited due to the awkward angle, and you may experience increased trailer sway.

Weight distribution systems use spring bars to help combat these issues. Spring bars apply leverage to either side of your setup, which transfers the load at the rear of the vehicle to all axles on your tow vehicle and trailer. This even distribution of weight results in a smooth, level ride, as well as the ability to tow at the maximum capacity of your hitch.

A place to start selecting your weight distribution hitch is determining your total tongue weight which you're close to with the dry weight of the Seacamper, trailer, and any gear you plan to put in it. Any gear behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle is your other weight to add in if significant. You can use a scale like the etrailer # e99044 to get an accurate total.

Once you have your total tonge weight, select a weight distribution system appropriate for that job. A 10,000lb tongue weight for example would call for a system like the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW # EQ37100ET.

I wish I had a local recommendation for you as far as installation goes but you could start with the Equalizer home page in the upper right is their Find A Dealer link where you may find an installation service near you.

expert reply by: Patrick R