F250 Towing setup.

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 at 18:35
ThreadID: 121508 Views:4780 Replies:8 FollowUps:3
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Hi

I would like to get some advice on the best tow hitch setup for my F250. Our 21' BT is due in December and my F250 is the 4.2l Cab chassis XL model. One of the thoughts I had was to get any changes and modifications done when we go down to pick up the Bushtracker, so can anyone give us recommendations of who to use in the Sunshine coast area. Thanks in advance.
Regards
Peter
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Reply By: Bushtracker Buck & Babe - Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 at 20:06

Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 at 20:06
Peter we have the pintle ring hitch and Ivan is very happy with it. He has a little trick to reversing up each time using the lipstick camera on the back tailgate of the Effie and positioning the straps so that the tailgate is dropped down to the required height to be able to see the pintle ring each time. I don't help with the hitch up at all as there is no need. I am obsolete! Probably has saved some interesting "discussions" between us.

I am sure he will be happy to answer any questions about it.

Angie
AnswerID: 565107

Reply By: Deleted User - Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 at 21:01

Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 at 21:01
G'day Peter,

As you are probably aware the F-trucks are going through(gone through) a towing rating increase. I'm not sure if it applies to the 4.2 ...maybe only the 7.3l ?

The first thing to do would be to ascertain if the vehicle you have can be uprated like the 7.3 with the addition of a higher rated towbar. The will possibly determine which way you go with the BT's rating as well.

As it stands now .... your BT will be rated at 3500kg (the suspension is rated much higher though so it is down rated because of the towing vehicle/hitch capacity limits) and the 21's fully loaded for extended travel could possibly be on/over this limit.

The 7.3's have just been uprated to tow 4500kg by the addition of a new towbar (available soon ...Nov?) This gives the option of uprating the BT itself to some where around 4250 ish depending on the BTi set limit. Better breathing space for carrying full water tanks if needed and some items purchased on the trip etc.

This is done by uprating the hitch to 4500kg minimum amongst other things(not sure on spring packs?) ..see BTi for the details to uprate above 3500kg.

As I said ...Try to find if your model can be uprated as this will possibly determine the rating of your BT and therefore affect the hitch gear to use on the vehicle.

As this is a specialist area seek advice from BTi and their recommended towbar/hitch fitter in the Kunda Park area ... obviously Ford Aust for the vehicle max tow and upgrade check. Vehicle Components in Bris carry gear to cater for the increased limit.

With the 4.2 you might want to stay light (3500kg) but if it can be uprated you can still go light and have the advantage if you go over 3500kg you are legal.

Regards
Anthony
AnswerID: 565108

Reply By: Noosa Fox - Friday, Oct 15, 2004 at 03:51

Friday, Oct 15, 2004 at 03:51
Peter,
BTi fit the AT35 coupling as standard now, and it is a good coupling but if there is sidways strain between the van and vehicle when you are unhooking then the pin will be hard to pull out.

I recently changed our towing connection over to the pintel ring type as supplied by Vehicle Components, and have found that it is both easier to hook up, unhook and also seems to keep the whole setup just that little bit steadier while on the road. Our 21ft van has a gross under the 3500kg so we haven't bothered about the higher tow rating towbars or hitches that are available.

You will require weight distribution gear as Ford state that anything over 2270kg requires it. We have the standard Hayman Reece set up available from any Hayman Reece distributor with 350kg bars. SunCoast Towbars are on the left of the road that leads you into the BTi factory, if you haven't sourced a local one before arriving, but I would make sure that they have one in stock before coming to factory, just in case they happen to be sold out when you arrive.

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AnswerID: 565109

Reply By: Dusky - Friday, Oct 15, 2004 at 19:07

Friday, Oct 15, 2004 at 19:07
Can anyone please advise what the total angle that the pintle ring hitch can accommodate? Is this the same hitch that Turist shows as the VC coupling?

Thanks,

Chris
AnswerID: 565110

Follow Up By:- Friday, Oct 15, 2004 at 21:16

Friday, Oct 15, 2004 at 21:16
The VC coupling has an arc of about the same as a standard ball coupling (in all directions) From perpendicular it will move around 22.5 degrees in any direction giving a total arc of twice that approximately.

Bob's ring coupling has this limit in the fore/aft plane but has a full swivel in the horizontal axis rotation like the AT35. This will allow the vehicle and BT to go in opposite directions around their H.axis ... vehicle down on left side with BT down on right side with both angles greater than 22.5 deg limit of the fixed model. It is still restricted to 45 degrees (approx) total arc (22.5 deg from level) as in vehicle going up and embankment while the BT is still going down the embankment.... e.g. small creek crossing or over a bank with steep approach and departure angles.... the fore/aft plane.

Anthony


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Reply By: Kingy - Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 03:15

Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 03:15
Thankyou all for the information you have supplied. I have talked to Suncoast Towbars who will fit a complete 3500kg towbar and 350kg wieght distribution gear... If the new 4500kg kit is available at that time I will upgrade even if the XL is not rated to take it as I intend to trade up to the 7.3 in about 12 months time, so the extra 1000kg rating will not be wasted. As for the hitch, I will stay with whatever comes with the BT and change later if needed. Once again, thankyou and no doubt I will throwing a few more questions to this forum over the next few months.
Regards
Peter
AnswerID: 565111

Reply By: Luvntravln - Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 03:48

Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 03:48
I have the pintle and ring and it did not create any limitation during our recent training course.

The 4500kg receivers are supposed to be in Australia in November.

You definitely want to get the Reese WDH system - not the Hayman Reese!

Jay
AnswerID: 565112

Follow Up By: Kingy - Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 20:02

Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 20:02
G'day Jay

Could you give me your reasons as to why you consider the Reese product the better one over the Hayman Reese setup. Are they the same company? Are you referring to just the WDH system or to the tow bar, WDH and the hitch?

Peter
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FollowupID: 843970

Reply By: Oldperc - Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 16:03

Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 16:03
When I was looking I also thought the Reese was the better WDH (vs Hayman Reese) but the Reese doesn't fit the AT 35.
You could contact Trailboss for Reese distribution outlets:
Trailboss
135 Ingleston Rd
WAKERLEY 4154
Phone 07 3390 4055 fax 07 3890 1218

regards
David and Ann
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AnswerID: 565113

Follow Up By:- Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 19:14

Saturday, Oct 16, 2004 at 19:14
G'day Dave,

The AT35 (the model supplied to BTi) with a small modification can be fitted to the Reese WDH system. The mod does not affect its integrity at all and can be done by Vehicle Components.... anyone wanting to use the Reese with AT35 should check with them of course.

I have done one .... it involves removing about 10mm of the base plate where the bolt hole (to stop rotation of the coupling on the WD head) is ... the shoulder of the WD head then stops the coupling from rotating.

There is a small area on the WD head that needs a linish to bring it level with the coupling mounting area.

Torque the nut up to the specification and you're away ...

Anthony

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FollowupID: 843971

Reply By: Luvntravln - Sunday, Oct 17, 2004 at 02:19

Sunday, Oct 17, 2004 at 02:19
Peter

I previously had the AT35 with the Reese setup and no problem - Anthony did the mod for me.

The Reese has much better WD bars. They are in an "L" shape rather than "straight" and are stronger and easily clear the drawbar.

Jay
AnswerID: 565114

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