Posted 2020-08-11 5:55 AM (#173190) Subject: 2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
My husband bought a new Ford F350 pretty much over the phone going by tha pictures and window sticker. This trailer has a trailer package and we asked if our B&W hitch would work as I had just purchased the 4 extension for our 2011 Ford that we traded in. I had pulled my Elite trailer for 9 years and a year ago i had almost put the rear window out in a little bit sharp of a turn. They told me it hhad a B&W ball set up. At the time of the sale..I asked where the hitch was, as the truck bed was flush. The salesman said he would get it and ushered us into the room to complete the paperwork for the sale. When we finished he returned with a black box containing the ball and 2 plugs that are inserted to attach the safety chains. We told him we were concerned about needing an extension and he was supposed to check on it, which of course he has not! It has been a month and I am scared to pull it anywhere. The safety chains clamps won't open up enough to latch on. I can't find any information about this ball. Does anyone have any experience with this type of s setup? I will post some pictures in little awhile.
My concern is that maybe this hitch design is more for RV goosenecks. They are going to weigh a lot more than a living quarter horse trailer loaded. My trailer is a 3 horse Elite with an 11 ft living quarters, 25 ft. box. The info on this hitch says 27,500 lbs fross weight and pin wt 6,250. Could someone tell me if I am safe with this hitch? Please be nice. My husband doesn't have a clue, not a horse trailer person. Thanks
Posted 2020-08-11 9:53 AM (#173194 - in reply to #173191) Subject: RE: 2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
Veteran
Posts: 124 Location: Calgary, Canada
Lea Anne - 2020-08-11 7:53 AM My trailer is a 3 horse Elite with an 11 ft living quarters, 25 ft. box. The info on this hitch says 27,500 lbs gross weight and pin wt 6,250. Could someone tell me if I am safe with this hitch?
Lea Anne,
We have a 2006 Hart 13 ft LQ, 3H that is 26 ft on the floor by 8 ft wide which runs up to about 17,000 lbs fully loaded. Our hitch weight (pin weight ) is about 4400 lbs. Given that our trailers are a similar size and type of construction (Hart vs. Elite), I would expect that our trailers would be similar in weight (within 10% or so).
The best way to tell is to run your trailer over a scale to get an accurate weight of each axle of your truck, and each axle of your truck + trailer combined. With that, you can determine your actual trailer weight and pin weight.
By comparing our trailers, I estimate that you would be well withing the hitch ratings of 27,500 lb gross weight and 6250 lb pin weight. This hitch rating likely exceeds your rated truck capacities.
Is your new truck a dual rear wheel (DRW) or a single rear wheel (SRW)? Long box or short box?
Here is some more information on truck and trailer ratings that you may be interested in reviewing:
Posted 2020-08-12 7:18 AM (#173195 - in reply to #173190) Subject: RE: 2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Your truck does not have a B&W hitch. It has the factory Ford "puck" system that can accept a gn ball, or a fifth wheel. It is a good system, in my opinion. Yes- I have heard of folks having trouble with their safety chains not fitting into the loops, AND/OR the safety chains were too short. You can change the chains as needed.
FWIW- The trailer dealer I hang out at has had the system in some of their Ford trucks. They haven't had any issues with it, with much larger trailers than yours. Do be sure and grease the ball. I have not seen a step back ball for this system yet. If your truck is a shortbed, I'd install a step back coupler.
Posted 2020-08-12 10:02 PM (#173198 - in reply to #173190) Subject: RE: 2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
Veteran
Posts: 124 Location: Calgary, Canada
Lea Anne,
I was not able to see anything in the link you provided.
I had a look at our LQ ... it has 3/8" Grade 70 safety chains and hooks ... which have a working load limit (WLL) of 6600 lbs and a Breaking Strength of 26,400 lbs (4 x WLL).
If I required a shackle for my trailer, I would use a 5/8" shackle with a 3.25 ton WLL rating (6500 lbs) which has a minimum ultimate strength of 39,000 lbs (6 x WLL).
I recommend having a look at your safety chains / hooks and getting shackles with the same WLL rating.
3CW
Posted 2020-08-13 7:50 AM (#173199 - in reply to #173190) Subject: RE: 2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Grant City, Missouri
Sorry about the link! This store has 3 different sizes; the largest is 3/8 "Drop-forged construction with alloy steel pin, Hot dip galvanized" with a "working load 1.00 ton". Will that work?
Posted 2020-08-13 7:35 PM (#173202 - in reply to #173190) Subject: RE: 2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
Veteran
Posts: 124 Location: Calgary, Canada
1 ton (2000 lbs) is not enough for my trailer ... so I expect it will be undersized for your trailer too.
As I mentioned in my previous post, my trailer would use a 5/8" shackle with a 3.25 ton WLL rating (6500 lbs) which has a minimum ultimate strength of 39,000 lbs (6 x WLL), so I "expect" that your trailer would require a similar size.
I don't know what your trailer weights or what size of safety chains it has on it. I believe the best thing for you to do it match your safety chain rating with similarly rated shackles.
2020 Ford F350 with new B&W trailer hitch made for Ford
