Do I need to know loaded camper weight before buy WDH?

[thebrakeman]

Sorry, I'm not on the "always use GVWR" bandwagon.
This is not a toy-hauler. Does anybody think that this person will be loading 3000 lbs of options and cargo into this 4000 lbs (dry) trailer?

1200 (Equal-I-zer) or 1500 (Blue Ox) will be too stiff for a trailer that in reality will weigh around 5000 lbs.

4300 (web search for dry weight) + 1000 (typical estimate for TT over dry weight) = 5300
5300 * 12.5% = 663 lbs estimated TW
Add 100 lbs cushion to keep away from the WDH max (avoid "porpoising") = 763 lbs
Round up to next available kit, which is the 1000 lb Equal-I-zer or Blue Ox. And that provides plenty of cushion, in case the TW percentage is higher, or they bring the kitchen sink.

1000 - 100 cushion = 900
900 / 15% = 6000 max loaded weight of camper
6000 - 4300 (dry) = 1700 (available CC without trouble with 1000 lbs kit)

Stick with the 10,000/1,000 kit, regardless of brand. I recommend Equal-I-zer, based purely on my experience. I've never used another, and I love mine.

[OneZero]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Sorry, I'm not on the "always use GVWR" bandwagon.
This is not a toy-hauler. Does anybody think that this person will be loading 3000 lbs of options and cargo into this 4000 lbs (dry) trailer?

1200 (Equal-I-zer) or 1500 (Blue Ox) will be too stiff for a trailer that in reality will weigh around 5000 lbs.

4300 (web search for dry weight) + 1000 (typical estimate for TT over dry weight) = 5300
5300 * 12.5% = 663 lbs estimated TW
Add 100 lbs cushion to keep away from the WDH max (avoid "porpoising") = 763 lbs
Round up to next available kit, which is the 1000 lb Equal-I-zer or Blue Ox. And that provides plenty of cushion, in case the TW percentage is higher, or they bring the kitchen sink.

1000 - 100 cushion = 900
900 / 15% = 6000 max loaded weight of camper
6000 - 4300 (dry) = 1700 (available CC without trouble with 1000 lbs kit)

Stick with the 10,000/1,000 kit, regardless of brand. I recommend Equal-I-zer, based purely on my experience. I've never used another, and I love mine.

Your numbers look very close to what I will probably realistically be hauling. I was afraid to high of a WDH rating, would be to stiff or something which is why I asked. So it looks like the 1000 is what I should shoot for. I've looked at both the Equalizer and the Blue Ox SwayPro. I'm at a toss up right now which, so I will keep reading reviews and research some more on them.

[PoPo Cliff]

I have the 2017 model of same camper you are considering. I have the Fastway E2 WDH. 10,000lbs head and 1000lbs round bars. Does a good job. Dealer installed the link plates upside down, took me forever watching you tube videos to figure out problem. Had problems with sway and not transferring enough weight to front axle until i turned link plates right side up. That helped a lot. But, had to go to LT tires to help with the sway issue. That made a world of difference. Just got back from a trip and no problems with sway.

[mopwr4me2003]

If you have to much Tongue weight for the bars you will overload them and have a very unstable ride. Possibly even have a failure of one or both bars. Under weight for the bars you choose can make the ride stuff and bouncing and will not give you the proper sway control it is designed for. Like others have stated 10-15% of GVWR should be tongue weight. So if you max out the trailer at 7K you would be at 1050lbs at 15%. 13% would be around 910lbs tongue weight. So I would go off that number for a rough idea of where your weights would be. I personally would say go with the 1000lbs bars if you go blue ox. I have the blue ox and like it. Easy set up. Good luck.

Also initial set up of blue ox was very easy, no shims for the head and a little cleaner of a unit compared to the equalizer. Either way you go you will be happy. People love the equalizer that have them and same with the blue ox.

Tim

[Thurman]

I'd just like to say this: IF I had it to do over again, and from what I've learned I would not buy a WDH that also uses a separate sway control device. I have an Equilizer set-up now with chains and sway control bar, and yes it does control sway--to a point. I have a Freedom Express 310 BHDS. A friend of mine has the setup as pictured in post #23, I don't know which brand he has. We removed the WDH from his TT and placed it on mine one day just to see if it would make a difference, it certainly did make a good difference. Now the WDH without the chains and sway control bar are on my Christmas wish list.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Thurman

I'd just like to say this: IF I had it to do over again, and from what I've learned I would not buy a WDH that also uses a separate sway control device. I have an Equilizer set-up now with chains and sway control bar, and yes it does control sway--to a point. I have a Freedom Express 310 BHDS. A friend of mine has the setup as pictured in post #23, I don't know which brand he has. We removed the WDH from his TT and placed it on mine one day just to see if it would make a difference, it certainly did make a good difference. Now the WDH without the chains and sway control bar are on my Christmas wish list.

Your post is to me in that "Equalizer Hitches" are W/D-S/C built into One! That is their Feature without chains that people like! Youroo!!

[itat]

OneZero, are you looking at the Wildwood X-Lite 261BHXL? If so, the specs on the website say:

Tongue Wt. 434#
UVW 4352#

So they are estimating the tongue wt. will be approx. 10% of the loaded trailer's weight. My TT is not the same model by my loaded tongue weight is just over 10% which is the minimum you'd want to have.

Let's assume your loaded weight will be 1000# more than the specified unloaded weight, so that'll put you at about say 5400#. A 10% tongue weight would then be 540#. Even being more conservative you won't need more than the 10k model WDH. Others with that trailer can verify real world weights.

Regarding the "Equalizer" comments, many people use that term to mean any WDH when in fact that is a brand name, like Kleenex is a brand name for tissue. The "Equal-i-zer" brand (note the hyphens in the name) 4 pt hitch is a top notch WDH with built in sway control. The Blue Ox SwayPro has a decent reputation around here, too, and has a similar built-in sway control system, but it does use chains rather than having the bars rest directly on brackets like the Equal-i-zer so it won't be quite as good at resisting sway. Either WDH in the 10K version should be fine for your application though.

When it comes time to install it, I suggest you not use an impact wrench. Just use regular hand tools so you don't over-torque anything.

[Toolman_GA]

M dealer included a Fastway e2 WDH (8000 lbs) with my Vibe 268 rks, which weighs out around 7000 lbs. I pulled with both 97 K1500 and my current Tv 2011 2500 GMC Denali HD and have never had an inch of sway. They are not expensive and I am glad I didn't spend the big bucks on a 4pt etc. The dealer will set it up for you but be sure your tires are inflated to the tow pressure and ask them if they will readjust it for you after you have everything loaded. T is not hard to do it yourself as long as you have a big enough torque wrench and big breaker bars - I cut down a couple of pieces of chain link pipe (cheap) to make extensions for the wrenches.

Sent from my XT1565 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[OneZero]

I really appreciate all the excellent advice everyone is providing! I'm really considering between the "Equal-i-zer" and the Blux Ox Sway Pro, both in the 1k models. I would really like to spend less, but I have seen very mixed reviews. On the Fastway, do you have to disconnect it to back up or anything? Thats a plus on both the more expensive ones I've been looking at, but if you dont have to remove the bars on it as well, that would save me a ton of money up front.

[dbledan]

Originally Posted by Toolman_GA

M dealer included a Fastway e2 WDH (8000 lbs) with my Vibe 268 rks, which weighs out around 7000 lbs. I pulled with both 97 K1500 and my current Tv 2011 2500 GMC Denali HD and have never had an inch of sway. They are not expensive and I am glad I didn't spend the big bucks on a 4pt etc. The dealer will set it up for you but be sure your tires are inflated to the tow pressure and ask them if they will readjust it for you after you have everything loaded. T is not hard to do it yourself as long as you have a big enough torque wrench and big breaker bars - I cut down a couple of pieces of chain link pipe (cheap) to make extensions for the wrenches.

Sent from my XT1565 using Forest River Forums mobile app

Agreed it is easy to do yourself.

I took my hitch and ball into a trailer shop to get it torqued so I would not have to buy a 450lb torque wrench I would use once. I had the 150 ftlb wrench already.

[windsurfdog]

Originally Posted by OneZero

I really appreciate all the excellent advice everyone is providing! I'm really considering between the "Equal-i-zer" and the Blux Ox Sway Pro, both in the 1k models. I would really like to spend less, but I have seen very mixed reviews.

Spend the extra bucks on the Blue Ox...ease of initial setup, ease of adjustment, ease of hookup will prove quite beneficial. Love mine.

[mopwr4me2003]

Just keep in mind that you are towing $15000+ worth of trailer plus vehicle. Not to mention your family and others on the road. You do get what you pay for! Not taking away from fast way or any other less expensive brands but there are those cheap ones out there so just keep that in mind.

[OneZero]

Yes, those are both the main reasons I was looking at the Equalizer and the Blue Ox's. The Blue Ox looks alot easier with the chains, what do people have against them that I see them hating chains?

[mopwr4me2003]

Originally Posted by OneZero

Yes, those are both the main reasons I was looking at the Equalizer and the Blue Ox's. The Blue Ox looks alot easier with the chains, what do people have against them that I see them hating chains?

I like mine and couldn’t be happier. I have used a equalizer as well and liked it. I just found for my needs and the ease of initial setup and for traveling I chose the Blue ox. It’s no different really than Ford vs Chevy. Some will like one over the other. Blue ox is set so all you have to do is buy spring bars if you change TT in the future. I am not sure if equalizer is set up that way or not. You will be happy with both that I am sure of.


Tim

[dbledan]

Originally Posted by OneZero

Yes, those are both the main reasons I was looking at the Equalizer and the Blue Ox's. The Blue Ox looks alot easier with the chains, what do people have against them that I see them hating chains?

I think early chain wdh left little to be desired maybe?

I have blueox and my only complaint is disconnecting at an angle. Other than that I am happy with it. I don't really think there is a bad option between those two.

[OneZero]

Looks like cheapest I can find the Blue Ox online for is about $548 with free shipping.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Blue-...-p/bxw1000.htm

[mopwr4me2003]

Originally Posted by OneZero

Looks like cheapest I can find the Blue Ox online for is about $548 with free shipping.

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Blue-...-p/bxw1000.htm

Try Etrailer and amazon as well. But that’s about the normal price.

[windsurfdog]

Originally Posted by OneZero

Yes, those are both the main reasons I was looking at the Equalizer and the Blue Ox's. The Blue Ox looks alot easier with the chains, what do people have against them that I see them hating chains?

Those who poo-poo chains probably:
have never tried BX
have a non-chain WDH they favor
have read other uninformed, generalized comments about WDH's that use chains

Actually, the best thing about BX may be the chains. The adjustability gained is quite beneficial. With my setup, a completely empty camper and TV (as when I trailered the TT home initially) were quite happy with 8 links. A moderately loaded TT/TV runs best with 9 links and a fully loaded rig works best with 10 links...couldn't be easier.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by OneZero

Looks like cheapest I can find the Blue Ox online for is about $548 with free shipping.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Blue-...-p/bxw1000.htm

Look at RVW for the 4pt Equal-i-zer or the Fastway E2.
Free shipping.

[mopwr4me2003]

Just to add one thing before you buy, if you choose the blue ox make sure you know which style coupler you have on your TT and you also want to make sure look at which style clamps for the chains. You have either bolt on or clamp on style. I have the clamp on style and very easy to setup. Just do some measurements before hand to make sure if you go with the clamp on style you will have no interference with anything on the frame like propane tanks or battery holder.