new to the forum

[Ranger82]

Hello. We just placed an order for a new Escape 19F1. It is our first RV after too many years of tent camping. We will likely have many questions for this group as we start this adventure. Our first question is weight distribution hitch vs sway control: do we need both? do we need either? We will tow the 19A with a 2014 Chevy Silverado with the tow package.

We appreciate any guidance.
Ben

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Weight distribution is highly recommended by me. Depending on your tug, it provides a more comfortable, smoother and safer towing experience. I've towed with and without a WDH and it's an easy pick by me to use one. It reduces porpoising going over bumps.
Sway bars are not needed IMO as the 4 E19 wheels reduce the sway tendency a lot. Proper load balancing of the rig is always beneficial.

 

[Centex]

Proper load balancing of the rig is always beneficial essential.

Fixed that for ya!

(always at least 10% of the actual loaded trailer weight on the tongue, with or without a WDH)

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

IMHO, a full sized truck won't need a WDH for an Escape, you're nowhere near the tongue weight levels where they are recommended. After a few longish road trips with the trailer, if you find your ride in the front seat is 'porpoising' after going over a bump or dip, and thats excessive enough to be annoying, a WDH will greatly reduce it. For these light trailers, I like the Andersen WDH/antisway setup.

 

[Centex]

IMHO, a full sized truck won't need a WDH for an Escape, you're nowhere near the tongue weight levels where they are recommended.

I'll offer a different opinion FWIW ...

My F150 with Max Tow package has a receiver weight-carrying (towing without WDH) rating of 500# (1400# with WDH). That's OE on a truck rated for up to 12,300# maximum bumper-pull trailer weight calculated per SAE J2807.

500# tongue weight is 12% of a trailer weighing 4166# loaded-for-travel.

I prefer at least that on the tongue for inherent sway-prevention, and more tongue weight offers more inherent stability.

For both relaxed driving comfort and safety, I would prefer to run with generous tongue-weight bias and use a WDH with an E19 or larger Escape trailer.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

I keep forgetting today's trucks are really big SUVs with a small bed in back. My last pickup suggested WDH above 8000 lbs tow/800 lb tongue. OTOH, I'm pretty sure my Expedition (SUV) recommends WDH above 6000 lbs / 600 lb tongue (max towing 9300/930). My 21' escape, the tongue weight is right around 500 lbs... yeah, https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../guides/19Towing_Ford_Expedition_r1_Dec21.pdf

Now, this SUV/truck IS a bit of a porpoise with my E21, especially if I have bikes on back, so after towing it through 10000 miles of Mexico earlier this year, I got an Andersen, and its much smoother.

 

[Centex]

My last pickup suggested WDH above 8000 lbs tow/800 lb tongue.

IIRC that was a crew-cab 8ft box diesel F350? The largest of the full-size pickups?

Gentle reminder, ya really need to keep that in mind when commenting based on that experience, John.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

it was a cab-and-a-half not crewcab, and f250 not 350. but yeah, you're right on that, but it was also 22 years old, payloads and tow capacities have gone way up on newer trucks. That 21 ft long F250 diesel only had a total payload of 2000 lbs including driver+passenger(s)

 

[Ron in BC]

Our first question is weight distribution hitch vs sway control: do we need both? do we need either?
Ben

Welcome to the forum. Lot's of help here but as you can already see lot's of varying opinions.

I tow with an F150. Do I need a WDH, no. Do I use one, absolutely. Even if weight distribution isn't key the overall feeling when using a WDH is hard to describe unless you try with and without. The closest that I can come is that on a wavy road the tug and tow seem much more to be operating in unison.

Ron

 

[Ranger82]

Thank you one-and-all for your thoughts and advice. My take-away is that WDH is not required, but is a good idea and that sway control is not needed.
Ben

 

[GinoandLinda]

Welcome to the forum. As you have already discovered, you will get varying opinions to almost every question. Hope you create lots of great memories in your 19.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

Thank you one-and-all for your thoughts and advice. My take-away is that WDH is not required, but is a good idea and that sway control is not needed.
Ben

The Andersen WDH has inherent antisway due to how its built. There's not many conventional WDH designed for 4000 lbish trailers, most start at 6000 lbs and are kinda overkill at 4500.

 

[Ranger82]

Guess I'll try without WDH and see how it feels.

 

[Ron in BC]

The best test is on a road that has various types of dips and is sort of wavy. That's where you can really feel the difference.

Ron

 

[HABBERDABBER]

If you're trying to scrimp on money going without a WDH or avoiding the hassle of hooking one up, nobody ever said trailering was easy, cheap or without effort. Your truck can do it without one, but it's a safer and more comfortable towing with a WDH, IMHO.

But I repeat myself.

 

[Ranger82]

No scrimping, no looking for an "easy fix", and hooking it up seems straight forward. Just gathering information, including first-hand experience.

 

[Ron in BC]

It's too bad that folks can't rent one and try it out. The deciding factor really is how it feels.

Ron

 

[penwia]

Congratulations!! This group has been invaluable for me. I am also new to RVs and just placed my order for a 17b F1.

 

[Ranger82]

Congratulations to you as well. we looked at the 17A for a long time and decided to go for a bit more room in the 19.

 

[penwia]

Congratulations to you as well. we looked at the 17A for a long time and decided to go for a bit more room in the 19.

Thanks! Yes We also looked at the 19 and really liked it, but since this is new to us and we are towing with a Honda Pilot, we felt it would be better to go with the 17 for now. If we really like the lifestyle and feel we need more room, we can always upgrade. The resale values for these trailers are amazing, so I don't think it will be an issue. Looking forward to see your build pics and what you choose. Keep us posted here.