Hi, I have just purchased a 2014 Ford Ranger with a FoMoCo (Ford Motor Company) Tow Bar. The problem I have in trying to fit a Hayman Reese weight distribution unit is that when you remove the existing tongue from the tow bar is that the receptacle for the shaft is only about 60 - 70mm deep. (And does not protrude through the horizontal body of the t bar.)Where the shaft on the reese tongue is about 250mm long and is too long to fit in correctly.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is there another brand of hitch that may fit?
Graeme, before you attack the tongue with a cut off saw, please check with the dealer that sold you the vehicle.
Something sticks in my memory, that a WDH should not be used with the Ford towbar, and if you want to use one then a HR towbar should be fitted.
That is from memory, so might not be right, but at least worth a phone call.
Regards
Peter
PJK
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Same issue here. I called Hayman Reese and they informed me that attaching by the first hole (to the square receptical on the tow bar) was OK as long as there is strong attachment. I hope for your sake your problem is the same as mine, otherwise the thing will not fit at all.
I hestitate to recomend cutting the actual attachment.
Safe travels
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P B Crockart EX RAAF Electrician,
Aircraft Avionics tech. Senior high school teacher.
I have just acquired a genuine towbar for my 2010 Ranger, so my project is to check with alternate manufactures of WDH's to see if they have on for the Ford Towbar
Hi All I think this is the answer we are looking for with our Ford Towbars, this is the response I received.
Yes, our weight distribution hitch can be modified to suit a genuine Ford Towbar.
Is the issue that the shank will not slide all the way into the towbar?
Regards,
Yes, the receptical is not deep enough and the end of the tongue smacks into the front of the square section. I would say the receptical needs lengthening, Im real hesitant to knock off a chunk of towing mechanism (tongue).
I would have a chat to Hayman Reese before I get busy with the hacksaw.
Safe travels
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P B Crockart EX RAAF Electrician,
Aircraft Avionics tech. Senior high school teacher.
I needed to cut about 25 mm off my tongue ( the solid square section that slides into the receiver) the hole I did not have to touch. The original ford tongue is rated to 350/3500 and is hollow so could not see any reason it was dangerous to remove the 25mm especially since it is solid
Read about One guy cut through the box section so the tongue would slide in further but I thought this was a little dangerous.
Have run into a fair amount of rangers in my travels and all have cut back tongue except for a couple that fitted hayman Reece tow bars..
Regards Darren
I had a chat to a engineer on Monday night about the issue, his response was there would be no problem with removing part of the solid section to enable it to fit fully into the receiver.
I then asked would it be easier to drill a new for the hitch pin without shortening the shank, but then you would have an issue with the tongue altering the down load position this could cause a safety issue.
So when I get my hitch he is more than happy to modify it for me.
I cut my tongue and drilled another hole to suit
A long and hard job to do with a drop down saw, better to go to an engineering works and get it doen
Ken
I have a ford ranger 2015 model and i am looking at the KEMI brand of WDH.
Any feed back on these would be appreciated or what do other caravaners recommend.
I will be towing a Paramount Commander 20 ft van at approx 2800 kg loaded
Thank you
Russell
The Ranger and BT50 are under sprung in the rear, I think you first have to get the rear springs and shocks upgraded first. I am getting mine done this Thursday. I have looked at both the Haymen Reese and the "Hoo Fung Dung" model. It appears that you cannot buy the spare parts for the Hoo model, like you can with the HR, and another sales woman told me they're both made in the same factory. Who do you believe?
Anyway I am steering clear of a WDH until it is proved I really need one. If you wait a week I'll give you an up date on how the rear springs manage the hitch weight.
The Ranger and BT50 are under sprung in the rear, I think you first have to get the rear springs and shocks upgraded first. I am getting mine done this Thursday. I have looked at both the Haymen Reese and the "Hoo Fung Dung" model. It appears that you cannot buy the spare parts for the Hoo model, like you can with the HR, and another sales woman told me they're both made in the same factory. Who do you believe? Anyway I am steering clear of a WDH until it is proved I really need one. If you wait a week I'll give you an up date on how the rear springs manage the hitch weight.
A great way to go, get the tow vehicle right for towing and the rest will follow.
The Ranger and BT50 are under sprung in the rear, I think you first have to get the rear springs and shocks upgraded first. I am getting mine done this Thursday. I have looked at both the Haymen Reese and the "Hoo Fung Dung" model. It appears that you cannot buy the spare parts for the Hoo model, like you can with the HR, and another sales woman told me they're both made in the same factory. Who do you believe? Anyway I am steering clear of a WDH until it is proved I really need one. If you wait a week I'll give you an up date on how the rear springs manage the hitch weight.
A great way to go, get the tow vehicle right for towing and the rest will follow.
Gday...
Importantly, it is wise to make sure the van is correctly loaded to ensure good distribution of weight WITHIN the van as well.
A poorly balanced van will influence the ball weight and consequently the impact on the rear of the vehicle quite apart from the stability of the van on the move.
Also, remember a WDH is supposed to do what its name suggests - distribution of weight across ALL axles of the rig - front & rear axles of vehicle and some back onto the van's axle.
A WDH will not correct saggy/weak springs/shocks - but may mask saggy/weak springs/shocks.
Cheers - John
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