So where is the difference?

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by Arefbee

So the difference is in margin of safety. The 1200 lb bar has at least a 25% higher safety margin against failure.

Yes, with two identical bars... the LOWER rated/labeled bar has a higher margin of safety.

[pkthomas]

Do they just charge more for the higher rated to offset liability claims?

[techntrek]

That would lead me to wonder about the difference between 400/600/800/1000...

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by Sean Woodruff

I'm betting there is no difference other than a change in the stamp. I know of three companies that label the same bar that I rate at 1000# as a 1200# bar. We all buy the bar from the same manufacturer so it's pretty easy to figure out.


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Well that's kind of disturbing. When I bought the hitch I ordered 1500# bars. After researching a little farther I came to conclusion that since my tongue weight was 1050# the 1500# bars would be too stiff. So I ordered the 1200# bars. So now I'm wondering what exactly I do have and what problems I may run into. I'll take you guy's advice and call Reese. What's the point in all this dialing in these hitch's if the industry is this haphazard.

[Stormrider151]

Ok, I went out and looked again. This time I measured every half inch. The 1500# bars (believe it or not) in spots is less than an 1/8 thinner that the 1200#bars. However if you take a straight edge and lay it on top of the bars the !500# bar is dead straight while the 1200#bar is slightly upswept. You can't really see it unless you use the straight edge.That could be the difference.......or not.

[OldCoot]

I believe a lot of smoke is being blown here with advocating all the bars are the same. We've had 800#, 1000# and 1200# bars when towing our racecar trailer and believe me, there is a definite difference whether you can see it or not. We even color coded ours so we didn't get them mixed up. It has to be the heat treatment in the bars as opposed to a metallurgical difference.

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I believe a lot of smoke is being blown here with advocating all the bars are the same. We've had 800#, 1000# and 1200# bars when towing our racecar trailer and believe me, there is a definite difference whether you can see it or not. We even color coded ours so we didn't get them mixed up. It has to be the heat treatment in the bars as opposed to a metallurgical difference.

I hope your right. I'm going to make some calls and find out. I'm still trying to find out why that stupid chicken crossed the road. There was something over there she wanted.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Stormrider151

... I'm still trying to find out why that stupid chicken crossed the road. There was something over there she wanted.

Didn't anyone ever tell you that the grass is always greener on the other side of the road?????

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Didn't anyone ever tell you that the grass is always greener on the other side of the road?????

That's what I've been told. Went to look. Almost got hit by a dump truck just to find out it was swamp.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I believe a lot of smoke is being blown here with advocating all the bars are the same. We've had 800#, 1000# and 1200# bars when towing our racecar trailer and believe me, there is a definite difference whether you can see it or not. We even color coded ours so we didn't get them mixed up. It has to be the heat treatment in the bars as opposed to a metallurgical difference.

I don't think anyone ever said ALL the bars are the same.

If two bars are identical in their specs they are the same. I'm not trying to convince anyone. Why would anyone make that up? It doesn't even make any sense that someone would make that up.

Lighter bars measure less than heavier bars. That's just a fact. No smoke involved.

[campncrazy]

Dang, my head is a spinning now. Maybe too early in the morning for my mind to comprehend. So, we have been looking to buy a Propride hitch. But, which bars would be correct for our trailer. 33'4" long, hitch weight 845lbs, dry weight 6,975lbs and cargo weight 2,351lbs. Been missing several good deals on the net for used ones. They go like crazy.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by campncrazy

Dang, my head is a spinning now. Maybe too early in the morning for my mind to comprehend. So, we have been looking to buy a Propride hitch. But, which bars would be correct for our trailer. 33'4" long, hitch weight 845lbs, dry weight 6,975lbs and cargo weight 2,351lbs. Been missing several good deals on the net for used ones. They go like crazy.

Well, this thread really has nothing to do with ProPride. I was only trying to help the OP based on what I know happens in the industry. Each ProPride bar 600/800/1000/1400 does measure a different size.

To answer your specific question, the 3P-1400 is the proper model for your trailer.

[campncrazy]

I was confused with all the above posts regarding weight of bars. Don't want to risk anything that would not be safe. See a lot of trailers going down the road with nothing but a regular hitch (no type of equalizer hitch). A lot of swaying going on.
Didn't want to hijack the tread.
Think I will go take my nap. Like I said too early for me.

[Stormrider151]

So after further research this was a reply I got from one the experts at etrailer. These guy's are pretty sharp and I trust their advice.


"Dimensionally the 1,200 lb Reese spring bars # RP58358 and the 1,500 lb spring bars of the # RP66130 will be the same. This is intentional so that the rest of the system can work on as many different setups as possible.

The difference is the strength of the spring steel used in the bars. The 1,500 lb bars will be considerably stiffer. To test this you can try using either spring bar in your setup to see if you feel a difference. The 1,500 lb bar should have a much harsher ride quality."