Equalizer hitch which one?

campncrazy · 07-30-2014, 04:53 PM

Howdy,
Our Hemisphere 272 RLIS will be arriving tomorrow.

Would like some help in equalizer hitches with sway control.
TV is a 2003 250 Ford Super Duty Diesel, crew cab with 2 wheel drive, short wheel base. Looks like the hitch weight is about 850lbs. Trailer weight about 7,000lbs. Cargo carrying capacity about 2,351lbs.
Been searching the net. Kind of like Ford verses Chevy. Would appreciate any help in this matter.

crunchman12001 · 07-30-2014, 05:01 PM

I think you would be good to go with the Equalizer 4 point 1000#/10,000#
UNLESS you have a golf cart in the back of your truck?
If so, I would go with the 1200#/12,000#.
Just my opinion.
crunchman

thebrakeman · 08-01-2014, 12:30 PM

Those are the dry weights, which is the minimum that model can possibly weigh. Does not include any factory options, dealer options, accessories (battery, propane, water, etc), nor any of your gear. 1000lbs over dry weight is a decent estimate for loaded weight. And for a 34+ foot trailer, maybe more if you are a heavy packer.

8000 lbs of trailer means 800-1200 lbs of TW (10-15%). Depending on where the water tanks are, and the rest of the storate, this trailer could easily be over 1000 lbs TW once loaded. 12,000/1200 lbs Equal-I-zer is a good fit.

You said that the F250 is your tow vehicle, but then you talk about Ford vs Chevy. Are you using the 2003 Ford, or shopping for new TV? Or both!?

campncrazy · 08-01-2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Those are the dry weights, which is the minimum that model can possibly weigh. Does not include any factory options, dealer options, accessories (battery, propane, water, etc), nor any of your gear. 1000lbs over dry weight is a decent estimate for loaded weight. And for a 34+ foot trailer, maybe more if you are a heavy packer.

8000 lbs of trailer means 800-1200 lbs of TW (10-15%). Depending on where the water tanks are, and the rest of the storate, this trailer could easily be over 1000 lbs TW once loaded. 12,000/1200 lbs Equal-I-zer is a good fit.

You said that the F250 is your tow vehicle, but then you talk about Ford vs Chevy. Are you using the 2003 Ford, or shopping for new TV? Or both!?

Yes Sir, the F250 is our tow vehicle. Posted the Ford vs Chevy thing. In case some folks spoke about the different brands of equalizer hitches.
Really appreciate all the help you all have been.

**Platokidd** · 08-01-2014, 04:47 PM

My lacrosse said it had a tongue wt of 875 lbs and over all was 8251. went to the cat scales only to find out I was pushing 1200 lbs on the tongue and 8600 plus over all. This was with no gear! Sold the 10k and went with the 14k. and I'm happy with the performance!

campncrazy · 08-01-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platokidd

My lacrosse said it had a tongue wt of 875 lbs and over all was 8251. went to the cat scales only to find out I was pushing 1200 lbs on the tongue and 8600 plus over all. This was with no gear! Sold the 10k and went with the 14k. and I'm happy with the performance!

Dang, Looks like I need to make a trip to the scales. Mind me asking which brand did you go with?

pwrstroke2012 · 08-01-2014, 07:28 PM

I have an F350 and use a 12k equalizer with no issues. Never had mine weighed but brochure says hitch weight of the TT is 879# but I bet it is more.

**Platokidd** · 08-01-2014, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campncrazy

Dang, Looks like I need to make a trip to the scales. Mind me asking which brand did you go with?

Equalizer 14k

thebrakeman · 08-04-2014, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platokidd

My lacrosse said it had a tongue wt of 875 lbs and over all was 8251. went to the cat scales only to find out I was pushing 1200 lbs on the tongue and 8600 plus over all. This was with no gear! Sold the 10k and went with the 14k. and I'm happy with the performance!

This is a good example of the difference between published "dry" weight, and actual "empty" weight. Platokidd has about 350 lbs of additional weight, which must be from factory options, dealer options, and/or accessories. On average, once you add your own permanent camping gear (chairs, grills, etc), and stuff for each trip (food, clothes, etc), you'll be about 800 lbs over dry weight (again, that's a good average...use 1000 to be conservative).

As far as Platokidd's TW difference, not sure how to explain 400 lbs more TW, but only 350 lbs more total weight. But you get the point. Dry weight is only very basic information. It's a real number (not "fictional" as some will say). But it's only useful for planning, before purchase, to estimate a loaded weight.

thebrakeman · 08-04-2014, 12:48 PM

Yeah, be sure you know what is being discussed. "Equalizer" could mean:
a. a generic term for what is properly known as a Weight-Distributing Hitch (WDH), or
b. The Equal-I-zer brand WDH, which is highly recommended on this and other sites.

**Platokidd** · 08-04-2014, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

As far as Platokidd's TW difference, not sure how to explain 400 lbs more TW, but only 350 lbs more total weight. But you get the point. Dry weight is only very basic information. It's a real number (not "fictional" as some will say). But it's only useful for planning, before purchase, to estimate a loaded weight.

I can look for my cat scale sheets later. This is just my guess estimate if I remember right.
pushing 1200 lbs (close to)
on the tongue and 8600 plus (over)

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