new to towing a travel trailer

[gsxr-SUN]

Hi
I just purchased a 2001 sunline T-1950 and a 2009 Ford f150 4x4 5.4L supercab with tow package and integrated trailer brake control. How do I know if I need a WD hitch and also how do I measure to seewhat hitch ball kit to get?

 

[SteveC7010]

Hi
I just purchased a 2001 sunline T-1950 and a 2009 Ford f150 4x4 5.4L supercab with tow package and integrated trailer brake control. How do I know if I need a WD hitch and also how do I measure to seewhat hitch ball kit to get?

Your ball should be 2 5/16". On the coupler on the trailer's A-frame, the size is stamped there along with the coupler's weight ratings.

Experienced trailerists will all tell you that WD is pretty much a must have for safety and to treat both the truck and trailer properly. The short form is that too much weight on the truck's hitch lightens the load on the front axle to the point that steering capability can be lost under some circumstances. And, depending on the axle rating of the truck, it may be too much weight. Not likely with the T-1950, but WD gives a stable rig regardless of conditions.

Your best bet is a Reese trunnion style WD system with HP Dual Cam Sway control. For your T-1950, 600# or 800# trunnion bars should be fine. See www.reeseprod.com for detailed information and product choices.

Since your truck is 4WD, find out what the height of the receiver is above the ground and the height of the coupler from the ground. Both measurements should be taken on a flat surface. The 4WD truck may sit high enough that you'll need a shank that drops lower than the standard one.

If you purchase your hitch system from a reliable trailer dealer or RV shop, they will help you determine the correct shank.

 

[EMD_Driver]

I totally agree with Steve's recommendations. I would also highly recommend that whatever you end up doing, MAKE SURE you stay away from any friction sway control devices!

The dual cam setup, by design, does a very good job at reducing sway. I love the way our T320-SR tows, with the dual cam setup.

 

[gsxr-SUN]

thanks for the info
I wasnt sure if I need sway control since it it integrated into the truck
there are sway sensors and it will apply the trailers brakes if it senses any sway

but the more stability the better

 

[SteveC7010]

thanks for the info
I wasnt sure if I need sway control since it it integrated into the truck
there are sway sensors and it will apply the trailers brakes if it senses any sway

but the more stability the better

While the truck may respond to sway, it can't prevent it from starting. It can only try to respond to it. The Dual Cam Sway Control prevents sway from ever starting.

 

[pwb01]

I have pretty much the same combination as you. Even with an additional battery on the frame, when I put the total weight on the hitch it hardly drops an inch. I do put a some tension on the equalizer bars. It at least keeps the bouncing down. Once on a moderalely windy day I hit the highway and forgot to tighten the sway bar. You don't want to tow without it. I had to slow down and pull over when I could. Towing the T-1950 I hardly know it's back there. Look at those extended mirrors at camping World made for the F-150, they work great.

 

[gsxr-SUN]

Thanks for the help

here are a few pics of my truck
I have the factory power/heated tow mirrors