Before You Buy: Safe Towing Products For Your 2017-2022 Super Duty

Posted by Corey Decker on 1/22/2022 to Before you Buy

This early in the year you may be looking ahead to start planning some family vacations in the spring or summer that would involve you and your 2017-2022 F250 or F350 Super Dutys towing a trailer. If that's true then taking that extra time to ensure that you are towing your boat, heavy toy hauler, or 5th Wheel safely can save a lot of time, money, and heartache in the long run. Making sure you are towing safely does not have to take a lot of time away from the journey if you take a little bit of time to make sure the Super Duty or truck you are using is properly prepped. A few different products that can be looked at to help this would be hitches, air springs, airbags, and upgraded tuning. Even if you only ended up getting something from one of these areas your chances of a safer journey increase tremendously.

2017-2022 Super Duty Weight Distribution Hitches

Taking a look at the hitch setup is the first thing you can do to promote safe towing with your Super Duty. Making sure that the weight of your load is evenly distributed is one sure-fire way to prevent all sorts of damage when going down the road. Enter the Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 6" Drop, 2" Shaft (seen below). This system features a built-in scale to measure both tongue weight to ensure ten to fifteen percent of GRW and distributed tongue weight. Also included with this is a live adjustment system that has an internal pivot point which eliminates the need to remove the head assembly for re-adjustment. It also has the ability for you to easily adjust the height of it with ease with 1" hole increments to provide more accurate height adjustments. Weigh Safe also designed this product to prevent sway by creating areas that reside in the sway bar connection points in the head assemble and the trailer bracket connection points. Lastly, you can download a distributed tongue weight tool app on your smartphone for an extremely accurate setup. If you'd rather the Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 6" Drop, 2.5" Shaft that's available as well. Weigh Safe also creates this system with an 8" Drop for larger trucks in the Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 8" Drop, 2" Shaft and Weigh Safe True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch - 8" Drop, 2.5" Shaft. We also have a wide range of standard ball hitches available for Super Dutys as well if you're not looking for the full system.

Hitches for 2017-2022 Super Dutys

If by chance what you're pulling requires a 5th wheel hitch, something to take a look at would be the 2017-2022 F250 & F350 Short Bed Curt Q24 Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for short bed trucks and 2017-2022 F250 & F350 Long Bed Curt Q25 Sliding 5th Wheel Hitch for long beds. With a gross trailer weight rating of 24,000lbs and a vertical load of up to 6,000lbs each, these hitches are ready to handle anything you throw at them within reason. Part of the design includes a dual-pivoting head with 10 degrees of lateral movement and an anti-rattle skid plate to provide a smoother, quieter ride. Curt designed the Q24 to have a spherical axial bearing that features a unique pivoting mechanism that is built into the hitch head which allows it to tilt with the trailer. In addition to that, there is also The design itself also includes sliders that will allow for greater clearance when making tight turns pulling a trailer. The sliders allow for up to 12in of displacement instead of the more common 10in with different 5th wheel hitches. Curt also included four different height adjustment settings for all different sized trucks and trailers. Also, it includes a three-position coupling indicator that is visible from the cab and helps cut down setup time because you won't have to constantly have to get in and out of your truck to check the hitch. The best part about this hitch other than the quality metal it is created with is the fact it comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty (One-Year Finish, One-Year Parts) straight from the manufacturer. Lastly, if your truck has a gooseneck setup, a product to look at would be the 2017-2022 F250 & F350 4WD B&W Hitches Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch. This heavy-duty Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch is held together by its durable powder coated frame which installs easily into your existing frame holes, affording a 30,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (or 7,500 lbs. tongue weight) with a standard ball. The assembly includes a solid, one-piece machined receiver socket, 2-5/16" ball, and powder-coated steel frame for long-lasting, dependable performance. And when you aren't using the hitch, simply turn over the ball and place it in the hitch for a flat, even bed. The B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch features dependable, one-piece machined construction complete with a powder-coat finish to resist corrosion and structural degradation. Installation utilizes a flexible latch pin handle attached to a spring-loaded, 5/8" steel locking pin that goes completely through the ball. The other thing that the B&W turnover ball system can do is provide a base for the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch (seen below). The companion 5th Wheel RV Hitch is unlike most conventional fifth wheel hitches in production today. This companion uses the B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch as a mounting system instead of mounting rails so you can use your truck for more than just towing applications. This companion hitch was originally designed to address the issue of sloppiness in hitches, which results in a quiet, cushioned ride that is free of jerking. The hitch is completely removable so you can free up space in your truck bed when you're not towing. The fully articulating head allows for front to back, and side to side pivoting, which allows the hitch to tilt with the trailer. The Companion Hitch also features a cam action latching handle for an easy release, even if you're on uneven or bumpy terrain, and boasts a 20,000 pound weight carrying capacity (5,000 pound trailer weight).

Air Bag and Air Spring Kits For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

Either in addition to or in place of a hitch, if you already have a good one, you can look at products that help keep the load nice and level. The first to take a look at would be the 2020-2022 F250 & F350 4WD Air Lift LoadLifter 7500XL Load Leveling Kit (seen below) for the 2020-2022 Super Dutys or the 2017-2019 F250 & F350 4WD Air Lift LoadLifter 7500XL if you have a 2017-2019 Super Duty. While your 4WD Super Duty is a very capable towing machine, hauling around a massive trailer or heavy load can push the weight limit of your truck's towing capacity and cause you some unexpected problems on the road. The rear end of your Super Duty can start to experience sagging as well as poor braking which results in a loss of control. Air Lift's LoadLifter 7500XL Load Leveling kit was built from the ground up to accommodate the most extreme loads and heaviest trailers. This awesome system is built around a pair of Air Lift's high-quality air springs that can level out up to 7500lbs. of load to keep you in control of your truck when you need it most. The LoadLifter 7000XL kit's air springs install between your truck's frame and leaf springs to help support heavy loads and protect your suspension system and truck. When inflated, the springs take pressure off your truck's suspension causing your truck to sit much more level and give your truck a much more even distribution of weight between its front and rear. The Super Duty LoadLifter 7000XL kit from Air Lift is surprisingly easy to install and comes with all the hardware, brackets, and detailed instructions you'll need to get them up and running on your truck. If you happen to have 2020-2022 dually then the 2020-2022 F350 Dually 4WD Air Lift LoadLifter 7500XL Load Leveling Kit would work for you. According to Air Lift, the previously mentioned kit for 2017-2019 F250 & F350s will work for trucks with dual wheels in that year range.

Helper Spring Kits For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

If you're looking for something a little more budget-friendly you can take a look at the 2017-2022 F250 Timbren Front Suspension Enhancement System (8600 lbs.)(seen below) or 2017-2019 F350 Timbren Front Suspension Enhancement System (8600 lbs.). Timbren's Rear Suspension Enhancement System is designed to enhance your existing suspension setup to support heavy loads, fifth wheels, and toy haulers and reduce stress on your suspension components. The kit includes hollow rubber springs that deliver a progressive spring rate to minimize rear-end sag. This Timbren Helper Spring Suspension Upgrade replaces the jounce stop on the frame for improved handling loaded and unloaded. Each piece of high-strength steel included in this kit has been precision cut and powder-coated for maximum durability and strength. Installing Timbren's Rear Suspension Enhancement System will help you avoid bottoming out, reduce sag and squat and improve handling under load. Another benefit to these helper springs over airbags is how easy they are to install and maintain, with no fittings, air lines, or hassles to deal with. Something else to look at as far as helper springs would be the 2011-2022 F250 & F350 Hellwig LP-25 Heavy Duty Load Leveling Helper Springs. These springs are created from high-quality steel that is heat treated for strength and durability. Hellwig created these specifically for people that either use their truck for heavy loads daily, large fleets, or any application that puts a lot of weight on the bed. This is a 4-leaf stack with a 3,500 lb level load capacity that is designed to make sure your truck lasts longer by preventing sagging

Sway Bars For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

One part that can help you tow safer is a decent sway bar on the front and/or rear of your Super Duty. For example, the 2011-2022 F250 & F350 4WD Hellwig Front Sway Bar Kit is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your truck's handling and performance immediately, This product has a diameter of 1-5/16" that results in increased stiffness that improves handling, comfort, and safety. The larger diameter of this product is said to increase its stability by 20%. On each end, there are three eyelets where you can adjust the rate of stiffness that your new sway bar puts out One result of a sway bar is that your tires will end up lasting longer because they will wear more evenly, even while hauling. To save your tires and your suspension it is best just to get the product that can save both as well as money in the long haul. If you would rather just throw on the 2017-2022 F250 & F350 4WD Hellwig Rear Sway Bar Kit you can do that as well. Especially because this particular range of Ford trucks did not all come with rear sway bars. Hellwig specifically engineered this sway bar to limit the amount of body roll that your truck creates when cornering while towing or hauling a heavy load in the bed. The sway bar is heat-treated to ensure durability and reliability in many different environments. If you can't decide whether to do front or rear or you'd rather just pick up both at once then we also have the competitively priced 2017-2022 F250 & F350 4WD Hellwig Front And Rear Sway Bar Kit. Adding both the front and rear will significantly decrease the amount of body roll that your truck has when turning a corner which helps keep the trailer and the cargo inside or on it, stable as well.

Tunes For 2017-2022 Super Dutys

Last but certainly not least to help with safe towing is to add some tuning to help your engine better handle the load. These Super Dutys are extremely capable right out of the factory but in case you want it to perform even better, then towing is the way to go. If you have a diesel truck then something to take a look at is the 1994.5-2019 F250 & F350 Diesel Edge Evolution CTS3 Tuner & Monitor (seen below). Take the tuning setup in your 1994.5-2019 Diesel F250 or F350 with Edge. This next generation Evolution CTS3 tuner features an all-new full-color touch screen to start. Past that it includes a revamped slim case designed that features a 5 full-color capacitive edge to edge display with true swipe screen technology. Edge advertises a sharper display that has a higher resolution screen which delivers a tremendous pixel ratio and top-notch graphics. It also features brand new layouts, faster processing speeds and the ability to update over WiFi. How this system works is by reprogramming you vehicle's stock computer through the ODBII port. It is used to save stock files from the vehicle and then upload the calibrations directly into the computer. It comes with multiple power levels that are created by a whole team of engineers and can be installed in minutes without popping the hood. It is created to greatly increase horsepower but it also includes real time monitoring in vital engine and vehicle data. It'll show you important things such as EGT (exhaust gas temperature), Boost readings, transmission temp, load percent, percentage of fuel left. On the other hand, if you have a 2020-2021 7.3L V8 F250 or F350, then maybe the 2020-2021 F250 & F350 7.3L SCT X4 Tuner & 5-Star Custom Tunes is for you. 5-Star's custom tuning provides your 2020-2021 F250 and F350's 7.3L V8 with some of the best bang-for-your-buck power gains on the market in a simple, hassle-free package that can have your awesome Super Duty churning out massive levels of power with improved shifting so that your truck feels amazing to drive. 5-Star's custom tuning adjusts key parameters and tables within your truck's engine computer so that it squeezes out impressive levels of horsepower and torque without the need for any "hard" bolt-on performance parts at all. The increased power output combines with 5-Star's carefully revamped transmission shift points and shifts pressures to get rid of the noticeable hesitation of the 7.3L's stock tuning while holding gears longer to maximize power for just about any application. Having an awesome tuning device is all well and good, but it's the tunes that are going to make or break it, and 5-Star's custom tuning provides your 7.3L Super Duty the power and versatility to get the job done. 5-Star offers up three different tune styles in four different flavors of fuel octanes, giving you a ton of choices when it comes to the power output, performance, and application of your aggressive 7.3L F250 or F350 build. 5-Star's Economy tunes are designed to squeeze out some extra fuel mileage on Super Duty trucks that see a lot of city driving to save you some cash. 5-Star's Daily/Tow tunes off a nice increase in power and torque over stock and make shifting firmer and faster, all while forcing your transmission to hold gears longer for a big improvement in overall drivability, whether you're towing or just cruising around.

When it comes to safe towing, sometimes the smallest changes make a huge difference. As an example, one pinhole in a tire once blew on me on a run from Southern California back to Arizona, the trailer kind of swayed to the side of the blown out tire then ran over the "shrapnel" of the said tire and it ended up damaging the brand new Corvette inside because it went forward ever so slightly, hitting the wheel well and hurting the front bumper. Take it from me, just one of these products in here makes a world of difference and helps save time and money down the line whether you are hauling for business or pleasure. Another important note is to be sure and double-check each listing carefully to ensure proper fitment.

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