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Jack Klompus · 07-21-2021, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirdSpaceCO

The renter said he put in his ad that the hitch was not included and he expected the renter to bring their own. Who brings their own weight distributing hitch?!! I mean, half of the hardware is already bolted to the trailer and set up for that specific trailer so how could I bring my own? And for that matter what RENTER carries around their own WDH?

Part of this is on me. I realize that. I should have asked explicitly if he had one and not just assumed. Like I said, I have rented about 10 travel trailers at this point and they have all had a WDH included.

I think we're just done renting at this point. Much less headache just to own your own rig and not have to worry about all the what-ifs.

I would not have rented it either, but I put 99% of the responsibility for this issue on you (thats a lot more than "part") not the owner. That's my world view though. It sounds like he was clear he was not providing a hitch ... so why would you expect he would be providing a hitch?

Before we bought our first TT, I looked in to renting. Although it seemed like a cost effective and easy idea at the beginning, it became clear to me the downsides did not out weigh the upsides, and we never did rent. I sort of wish I had kept that TT to rent it out though

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Jack Klompus · 07-21-2021, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

It's not a question of whether the trailer is safe or not. The question is, is the truck safe or not. You need a heavy duty pickup to tow a 30' trailer. A half ton won't do it, especially at highway speeds. Even if he had a hitch it wouldn't make it safe. You need a truck with more weight.

In before some guy shows up to explain what Heavy Duty means. (

)

ThirdSpaceCO · 07-21-2021, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

I would not have rented it either, but I put 99% of the responsibility for this issue on you (thats a lot more than "part") not the owner. That's my world view though. It sounds like he was clear he was not providing a hitch ... so why would you expect he would be providing a hitch?

Yep, it's on me. I should have read the description. If I still had further questions I should have clarified. After renting for a couple years I've never had an issue with someone not providing a weight distributing hitch but I guess it was bound to happen at some point.

It may be on me this time but what happens when he rents his travel trailer to someone in a Pathfinder and they get in a wreck and kill their whole family. Who's it on then? I'm just worried about the next guy who doesn't know any better and still tries to tow that way.

4x4ord · 07-21-2021, 07:42 PM

I’ve towed a lot of different stuff behind my pick up and never used a weight distributing hitch. Obviously a weight distributing hitch is a gods idea but certainly not necessary. I would have tried without it and so long as there was little to no sway I’d have been happy. If it felt unsafe I’d have returned it.

mistercee · 07-21-2021, 08:32 PM

Pretty sure that unless things have changed in last couple model years, the hitch on the F150 indicates you are limited to 500 lbs tongue weight/5000 lb trailer when towing without a WDH.

F4Gary · 07-21-2021, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirdSpaceCO

Yep, it's on me. I should have read the description. If I still had further questions I should have clarified. After renting for a couple years I've never had an issue with someone not providing a weight distributing hitch but I guess it was bound to happen at some point.

It may be on me this time but what happens when he rents his travel trailer to someone in a Pathfinder and they get in a wreck and kill their whole family. Who's it on then? I'm just worried about the next guy who doesn't know any better and still tries to tow that way.

Have to agree with you. Next time cover your own butt and ask.
20/20 Hindsight can be a witch sometimes.
Good luck next time.

RodneynDawnT · 07-21-2021, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirdSpaceCO

A modern-day half-ton can't tow a 30-ft trailer that weighs 6,000 lbs?

My payload is to 2000 lbs. I've seen 3/4 tons with less than that.

Of course it can. A 3/4 ton obviously would be better but so would a semi tractor. Your truck is fine for the specs you listed.

move on · 07-22-2021, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodneynDawnT

Of course it can. A 3/4 ton obviously would be better but so would a semi tractor. Your truck is fine for the specs you listed.

A half ton pickup can safely tow it, but not at highway speeds. I'd keep it below 60 MPH.

dizcom · 07-22-2021, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirdSpaceCO

Yep, it's on me. I should have read the description. If I still had further questions I should have clarified. After renting for a couple years I've never had an issue with someone not providing a weight distributing hitch but I guess it was bound to happen at some point.

It may be on me this time but what happens when he rents his travel trailer to someone in a Pathfinder and they get in a wreck and kill their whole family. Who's it on then? I'm just worried about the next guy who doesn't know any better and still tries to tow that way.

Still on the driver, of course. You did the right thing and I would have done the same. You might share your experience with the rental company so they can consider updating their procedures to prevent others from making that mistake. Maybe they could require owners to provide the appropriate tow equipment, or just list the equipment required in a more conspicuous place.

corn18 · 07-22-2021, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4ord

I’ve towed a lot of different stuff behind my pick up and never used a weight distributing hitch. Obviously a weight distributing hitch is a gods idea but certainly not necessary. I would have tried without it and so long as there was little to no sway I’d have been happy. If it felt unsafe I’d have returned it.

You're also the guy who would tow 30,000 lbs behind a 3/4 ton truck as long as it has airbags.

move on · 07-22-2021, 05:05 AM

Trailer rental is a risky business. There is a lot of liability involved. Most trailer rental companies won't rent to you unless you have an adequate sized tow vehicle. Usually they go by weight of the tow vehicle vs weight of the trailer to make that determination. They specifically disallow towing with weight distribution or sway control equipment as these are simply bandaids for undersized vehicles.

dizcom · 07-22-2021, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

Trailer rental is a risky business. There is a lot of liability involved. Most trailer rental companies won't rent to you unless you have an adequate sized tow vehicle. Usually they go by weight of the tow vehicle vs weight of the trailer to make that determination. They specifically disallow towing with weight distribution or sway control equipment as these are simply bandaids for undersized vehicles.

That just isn’t true at all.

move on · 07-22-2021, 05:32 AM

It's true. Ask a trailer rental company.

tuffr2 · 07-22-2021, 05:34 AM

'move on' does have somewhat of a point. I guess I agree with him more than I don't. I agree you should have the right sized tow vehicle to start, that is key. Another key is having a vehicle with a long enough wheelbase to control the trailer.

I disagree with 'do not use a WD hitch'. I believe they do smooth out 75% of the bounciness. I towed a 6,500lb traver trailer with a dually truck w/o a WD hitch. In this case I had enough truck but did experienced more bouncing than I liked.

In my experience.

A F-150 towing a 5,500lb travel trailer with a WD hitch was better than the dually truck towing a 6,500lb travel trailer without a WD hitch.

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