2021 AR250 and 2018 Ford F150 Hitch Setup

[TwinScrew]

The top inside height of my truck's hitch is 20". My dealer said that the height of my boat trailer's ball couple is also 20". My question is, what hitch receiver do I get? Should I get a straight/level one or maybe one with a 2" rise to account for truck sag due to tongue weight? Not sure how much sag there will be. Anyone else have the same setup? I've searched the threads and couldn't come up with a clear answer. I appreciate any help I can get.....thanks!

 

[tkeru408]

I have a 2018 F150 and a 252SE. The inside of my truck's hitch is also at 20" and I use an adjustable hitch set to about 1" rise. Based on some other threads here, I also moved my bow winch arm back 4" on my trailer to reduce the tongue weight of the trailer. It came from the factory at 10% tongue weight (I checked on CAT scales) but Shoreland'r recommends 5-7% tongue weight. I'm now in the 7-8% tongue weight range, which reduced sag and led to an improvement in handling for the truck.

 

[Swanny12]

The top inside height of my truck's hitch is 20". My dealer said that the height of my boat trailer's ball couple is also 20". My question is, what hitch receiver do I get? Should I get a straight/level one or maybe one with a 2" rise to account for truck sag due to tongue weight? Not sure how much sag there will be. Anyone else have the same setup? I've searched the threads and couldn't come up with a clear answer. I appreciate any help I can get.....thanks!

I have a 2020 F150 and picked up our ar250, towed it from the Seattle area back to our home town of Hudson, Wi. I used an adjustable curt hitch set to 2” rise and it leveled out the trailer. The truck squatted a bit more than I thought it would. I will also be moving my winch post back a few inches to bring the tongue weight down.

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Just buy the B&W Turnover ball with 5" drop with the triball and never buy another one again. Best $250 you can spend if have multiple trailers.

 

[ChrisTurbo]

I have a 2020 F-150 Limited and 252SE. The rear squat was borderline embarrassing with the weight of the boat so I installed the Firestone Ride-Rite airbag kit and it performed flawlessly. I use a 1" rise hitch ball mount.
15-20 F150 Firestone Ride-Rite Rear Air Spring Kit 2582

 

[HangOutdoors]

I have a 2020 F-150 Limited and 252SE. The rear squat was borderline embarrassing with the weight of the boat so I installed the Firestone Ride-Rite airbag kit and it performed flawlessly. I use a 1" rise hitch ball mount.
15-20 F150 Firestone Ride-Rite Rear Air Spring Kit 2582

Why would your rear squat be so low on an F-150 with a tongue weight in the low to mid 400's or so with a fully loaded boat and trailer. Do you carry a lot more in the bed while trailering? I am betting your tongue weight is extremely off if not.

 

[ChrisTurbo]

Why would your rear squat be so low on an F-150 with a tongue weight in the low to mid 400's or so with a fully loaded boat and trailer. Do you carry a lot more in the bed while trailering?

Zero weight in the bed of the truck and the boat was also unloaded with only 15 gallons of fuel ..this was when I trailered it home from the dealer. I would guess the rear dropped 2-3" under the load of the boat and trailer so I immediately went home and ordered the airbags.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@ChrisTurbo I would check that tongue weight. Dealers don't do much with it. Almost all our boats are too heavy from dealer, some by as much as 10% + over the recommended. Proper tongue weight will tow better and is safer and reduce wear on vehicle and trailer. Figure Fully loaded boat and trailer and full tank of gas plus gear and shoot for 5%-8%.

 

[OB WI]

I have a 2018 F150 and AR250. I started w/ 2 inch drop. Too low. Then I went to a Curt dual ball straight hitch. Towed better but I wasn’t convinced and it was longer and looked like it was bending the reciever. Then ordered a weight safe 4 inch drop and it showed roughly 625lbs of tongue weight. Then i moved the winch post back about 4 inches and it took off around 100lbs. Down to 500-525 depending on how much fuel is in the tank. I am going to test out a 1 or 2 inch rise this weekend now that i adjusted the tongue weight.

Buy an adjustable. I like the weight safe. 260.00 on amazon. Then you will be set for awhile.