Wow, this thread couldn't have popped up at a better time. This will be my first post.
Last month I bought an Airstream 25' trailer with Gross 6500#. I had spent so much money on upgrades and the trailer that I passed on the WDH that the dealer was trying to sell me for almost $2k installed. I left with a regular Curt Hitch.
I put almost 1200 miles in a few weeks and realized how much the truck sags. 2 weeks ago I started doing research with Ford and realized the tow weight of the 2018 Raptor had an asterisk, it requires a WDH for anything above 5000# up to a maximum of 8000# and 800# tongue weight.
I have attempted to do the WDH myself and went to etrailer and bought a Reese WDH that the guy recommended for about $700 with 1000# tongue rating. I'm assuming my trailer is right around the max of 800#. However, I may be over because the hitch itself is heavy and you are supposed to take that into consideration. I believe I'm at 800# but would love to know for sure ( assuming 10% of Gross plus propane tanks, batteries and hitch).
I have installed it myself with the help of my dad, it is very difficult, there are torque levels that you need to meet like 450 ft lbs for the ball that I can't do. I believe I have set it up right, however, this is something interested I would love feedback on:
Before the hitch the front wheel well sits at 39" and rear at 42".
With the hitch front post up to 39.5 and rear at 40"
With the WDH everything is at 40".
So the weird part is that the WDH makes the truck level, does your trucks ride with the bed higher than the front? I guess it would make sense because there is no load on it but it surprised me because basically you are riding offset with no load.
I am proud of doing it myself and know how it works but for someone reading this, go and have someone install the preferred trailer WDH so that they can torque to spec and do it hopefully correct. It's tough.
