trupilot Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I have a reserve navi on order with the max tow option. I will tow a boat weighing approximately 6500 lbs. The book says a weight distributing hitch is required to achieve the maximum 8300 lbs. My question is, what is the max weight, below which a weight distributing hitch would not be required? In addition to this information, a discussion/tips of the 2018 navigator as a tow vehicle would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boredinbirmingham Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I have a reserve navi on order with the max tow option. I will tow a boat weighing approximately 6500 lbs. The book says a weight distributing hitch is required to achieve the maximum 8300 lbs. My question is, what is the max weight, below which a weight distributing hitch would not be required? In addition to this information, a discussion/tips of the 2018 navigator as a tow vehicle would be appreciated. I included the pages from the manual about the weight distribution hitch, this may help answer your question. If you have a VIN you can use it to download your owners manual online if you want, I uploaded mine to my phones kindle app so I have access to it whenever I want so I dont have to keep he giant thing in the glovebox. As for tips towing, as I dont tow much and when I do its just a utility trailer, make sure to program the trailer in the tow settings and it will track your mileage and help you with reversing your trailer. The Navigator automatically goes into tow/haul mode when you connect the trailer power cable unlike the Expedition where you have to manually select tow/haul. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 A boat usually has less tongue weight than normal, so you should be fine with a 6500 lb boat without a weight distributing hitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trupilot Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 Thanks BinB. I should be able to get the manual, hoping to take delivery in four or five weeks. Time to start studying. I currently have a 2012 F-150 with a 2.7 ecoboost and the factory tow package. It pulls the rig with no problem. The Navi powertrain will be a significant upgrade, so no worries there. My rig is right at the breakpoint between needing or not needing the extra expense and complication of the weight distribution hitch. I'm wondering if I could be risking voiding my warranty by not following the book to the letter? The boat stays at the marina almost 100% of the time. I'll only tow it two or three times a year, less than 500 miles on flat Florida coastal roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boredinbirmingham Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Thanks BinB. I should be able to get the manual, hoping to take delivery in four or five weeks. Time to start studying. I currently have a 2012 F-150 with a 2.7 ecoboost and the factory tow package. It pulls the rig with no problem. The Navi powertrain will be a significant upgrade, so no worries there. My rig is right at the breakpoint between needing or not needing the extra expense and complication of the weight distribution hitch. I'm wondering if I could be risking voiding my warranty by not following the book to the letter? The boat stays at the marina almost 100% of the time. I'll only tow it two or three times a year, less than 500 miles on flat Florida coastal roads. I dont know what to tell you other than if its close enough to cause you to worry maybe better to bite the bullet and go with the weight distribution hitch. Ive never used one so idk how they work but Id have to think the listed weight on the boat and how it actually measures have to be a little different especially after being in the water and having gear on it. I dont own or have ever towed a big boat so Im totally assuming here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trupilot Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share Posted July 11, 2018 The long wait for this vehicle {put my deposit down 27 March} is giving me the time to overthink, maybe. I'll try to refresh my patience and wait to actually get the vehicle. Then, hook up the boat and do what makes the most sense in the real world. I would still appreciate any comments from forum members on the Navigator as a tow vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobe Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 I would go with weight distribution but not an anti-sway hitch. I am very happy with how that set up hauls my 2 horse trailer, also around 6,500 lbs. Goes down the road much easier than my Yukon Denali and that wasn’t bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trupilot Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share Posted July 30, 2018 Thanks, tobe. Already leaning hard in that direction. Looks like my vehicle came off the assembly line last Friday. Looking forward to putting the first 1000 miles on her so I can hook her up to the boat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seijirou Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Not sure why you wouldn't want anti-sway. Mine tows great. That pic is ~4,000lbs of tractor + implements + trailer, so in the 5,500lbs - 6,000lbs range. 1,300 miles towed no sweat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobe Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 I like the contrast between the tractor and the fancy truck. Glad its hauling well for your needs too. Just a personal choice on not loving anti-sway bars. I find them rather more fiddly to use than a simple weight distribution hitch and hope that the sway control on the Navi would help if needed: https://owner.ford.com/support/how-tos/safety/driver-assist-technology/trailers-towing-loading/trailer-sway-control.html Horse trailers have the aerodynamics of a large brick dropped, and I haven't found anything that helps with the first shove of side draught as you pass the front of a semi (or they pass you...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seijirou Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Yeah I definitely received more looks than usual going down the road. The backup assist is fantastic too, not so much about the turning but the way you can effortlessly reverse straight as an arrow is awesome. If you're accustomed to the weight distribution type with the bars and chains, the Equal-i-zer is worth a look for sway control. The hookup is practically identical, there's just 2 arms to connect like usual. Those arms happen to provide the sway control too, and it works really well in my experience. Now that I think about it, it's the only sway control style that I do like, so I guess I understand where you're coming from. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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