Hitch for Ford Flex 21BHS combo

[charliem]

[font size="3"][font face="arial"]I recommend the 6000/600 E2 WDH by Fastway. [/font][/font][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Weight distribution and sway control. [/font][/font][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Bolts on, no drilling. [/font][/font][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Very popular with small trailer owners. I've used it with two trailers and two TVs and still using it. A bit noisy, but then I know it's working.
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[fasteddieb]

Thanks, Charlie.

Andy at CanAm responded to my query thusly:

Hi Eddie

I think they must be talking about the plate for the sway control which bolts on to the A frame. . I have bolted Eaz-Lift sway control plates to aluminum frames before without a problem. You have to be sure you are not drilling into the top or bottom flanges of the frame. Just into the center portion. Usually aluminum frames are 4-5" tall, do you know the size of this one?

The snap-ups for the Elite sit over the top of the frame and just tighten against the inside of the frame, you can put a small plate between the end of the bolt and the aluminum to stop it from wearing in but even that is not generally a problem.

The Trekker is not the right hitch for you because the torsion bars have less travel than the Elite bars.


For now, I'm back to the EAZ-Lift Elite for WD, and the Husky for sway control. Good news is that Husky sells a clamp-on ball so that no drilling is required.

[tinkeringtechie]

If you like EAZ-lift, why not use their sway control?:

[a href="http://www.rvupgradestore.com/DELUXE-SWAY-CONTROL-p/98-2000.htm"]http://www.rvupgradestore.com/DELUXE-SWAY-CONTROL-p/98-2000.htm[/a]

It looks like they also have a clamp on ball:

[a href="http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Camco-Eaz-Lift-Sway-Control-Adapter-Kit-2-x-3-p/98-2004.htm"]http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Camco-Eaz-Lift-Sway-Control-Adapter-Kit-2-x-3-p/98-2004.htm

[/a]If you add it all up, it costs about the same as just getting a combination WDH/sway control hitch like the E2.

[fasteddieb]

Andy from CanAm said he preferred the Husky over the EAZ-Lift for sway control.

Knowing virtually nothing about these things, I'm just taking his advice for now.

But thanks for all the feedback as I venture into new waters!

[funpilot]

[p]Here is a lively discussion on your topic:[/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24819884.cfm"]http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24819884.cfm[/a][/p][p]
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[funpilot]

[p]I think this video shows that at least the Propride does not require drilling.  In fact, it looks like it was mounted under the propane tanks.[/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="http://www.propridehitch.com/products/ProPride-3P-Trailer-Sway-Control-Hitch-.html"]http://www.propridehitch.com/products/ProPride-3P-Trailer-Sway-Control-Hitch-.html[/a][/p][p]
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[tinkeringtechie]

At $2,345 it better drive the car for me and wash my dishes too.

[cl21bhs]

Eddie, I am impressed that you can tow the 21bhs with the Flex that is rated at 4500lbs and 450 tw. Do you have the 3.6 Eco boost engine and four wheel drive?
My Explorer, which has the standard V6 engine, front wheel drive and is rated at 5000lbs and 500 tw is one of the worst tow vehicles I have had. I am thinking about getting the Explorer Sport which has the V6 Eco boost engine and all wheel drive.

[fasteddieb]

Yes, we specifically limited our search to EcoBoost Flex's with AWD, factory tow package and 7-place seating.

I've never used a w/d hitch before, nor towed anything bigger than a utility trailer, so I really have no grounds for comparison. But the rig felt fine towing back from IL even with my setup a little off. Has felt fine on the two local trips, to Hiawassee and the dealer in Buford, though on the trip to Hiawassee I overdid the w/d and got a harsh, jouncy ride. Fixed by "hanging" one less link. (See my "Picking up..." thread for details).

Power has not been an issue, either on the long uphill grades of I-75 in TN or the shorter/steeper hills here in the GA mountains.

Most times I just click the transmission down onto "Grade Assist" and it happily keeps the rpm up both uphill for power and downhill for braking. On I-75 I did go into Manual mode - the EcoBoost models sport paddle shifters, another plus - and they seem to work quite well. Let me hold the transmission in fifth for the uphill grades, then into sixth for downhills where engine braking was not needed.

In any case, we plan a trip to some CAT scales in the near future to get an idea of where we are now, both in total trailer weight and tongue weight, and overall w/d. Many at the Airstream rally told us not to sweat it too much once we got the rig feeling right, which it does now.

Oh, and if I haven't already asked, where are you located?