We are new to this forum and we wished we had discovered before buying a trailer.

We own a 2005 Expedition 4 by 4which came with a heavy duty tow package.  Since it was rated to pull up to 8600#s, we thought we would be save purchasing a 2 horse bumper pull weighing around 3,200 lbs. 

So we went to a local dealer and purchased an allum trailer, slant load 2 horse BP trailer with a tack room.   Dealer assured us that our vehicle could pull this trailer with no problem and that he sold this combo (or similar) all the time.

Anyway so we take our vehicle and trailer to the hitch company to have the brake controller installed.  Hitch dealer checked the tongue weight which weighed 570# empty!!!

So my question is - since most trucks (150's) and SUV's have a max tongue load of 600 lbs - what type of vehicle does the trailer manufacturer expect the consumer to use with their trailer???

Hitch company says the a weight distribution system may allow me to carry one horse - however installation of the WDS will require welding and cutting of the trailer frame.  They say it we should probably will need to get rid of either the vehicle or the trailer. 

Trailer dealer states that the hitch company's position is unfounded.

Any suggestions??????????????

Hello Nolefan ... Welcome to the forum.  I wish you had discovered this site earlier too.

Too bad for you the trailer dealer sells trailers... He is giving you mis-information on your tow vehicle.

Ford is on the side of the hitch dealer info..  See this Ford Company site >> https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2005/2005_hitches.pdf

Ford says the max tongue weight for a weight carrying hitch is 600 pounds.

You need a WDH to get to the 8950 pounds of trailer with up to 895# tongue weight in the specs.  You also need the heavy duty tow package.

So check different WD hitch systems.  You may not need welding and cutting.  Or just a bit of cutting.  There are lots of WDH designs.