What size equalizer?

[fastalkintn]

I'm giving up on my e2 hitch and ordering an equalizer. I don't have a way to get a true tongue weight. My TT gross max weight is 7800#, stated dry hitch is 720#. Using gross max weight and 12-15% of that for tongue weight it could conceivably put tongue weight at 1170#. My question is should I go with 1200 or 1400# bars? Any down side to going to heavy with the bars? Thanks in advance for help and input.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

I'm giving up on my e2 hitch and ordering an equalizer. I don't have a way to get a true tongue weight. My TT gross max weight is 7800#, stated dry hitch is 720#. Using gross max weight and 12-15% of that for tongue weight it could conceivably put tongue weight at 1170#. My question is should I go with 1200 or 1400# bars? Any down side to going to heavy with the bars? Thanks in advance for help and input.

Go with the 1200# as the 1400# will beat you up. My max is 7402#. New, I bought my 1200 chain type WDH with the TT. Look at the stuff you are loading and add up the weight plus or minus. Mine has a cargo capacity of 2823#. No way I am loading 1.2 tons of junk into it.

I love the Equalizer 4Pt that I have now and no longer have the white knuckles to prove it.

A member here has a link for weighing your rig. Check it out.
How to Weigh a Travel Trailer | Learn To RV

Safe travels...

[jgourlie]

I believe I read somewhere from Equal-i-zer that there isn't any difference in the bars of the 1200lbs and 1400lbs hitch. The head is the difference so they recommended go with either. My trailer dry weight is about the same as yours and I have the 1400lbs bars and it works just fine.

[bikendan]

Why don't you contact the manufacturer?
They have excellent customer service.

[lbrjet]

I would get the 1200.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Paul GA]

Weigh your rig and use Equalizers online tool, or call them. It's all about the tongue weight.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Why don't you contact the manufacturer?
They have excellent customer service.

X2

[fastalkintn]

I really don't have a way to weigh the trailer. I was hoping to order the hitch today to ensure delivery this week. But I will wait until tomorrow and call equalizer. Do you folks think you can go to big with the hitch?

[m2kamp]

FWIW, my trailer has the same GVW but my tongue is 900 lbs loaded. I run 1000 lb e2 bars.

Loaded for camping i'm at 6900 trailer weight per CAT scales(5919 empty per trailer yellow sticker).

Not sure what it would take to reach your trailer GVW as we don't know your yellow sticker weight. But with 1k bars my ride and level was great when I had the 1500 Ram.

I would not want to run at GVW on my trailer unless I upgraded the tires.

1200 bars may make for a stiff ride depending on your trailer load, 1400 overkill.

[GL1800Rider]

Fastalkintn, I have a 12000/1200 that I used for one year for 2 1000 mile trips that I would like to sell at a reasonable price. It looks like you are in TN. so it may not be for you as it costs a fortune to ship. PM me if you are interested.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

I really don't have a way to weigh the trailer. I was hoping to order the hitch today to ensure delivery this week. But I will wait until tomorrow and call equalizer. Do you folks think you can go to big with the hitch?

Just have to ask. #1 What is the towing capacity on your truck?
Edit:
Just have to ask. #2 What is the GVWR on your trailer? (sorry you gave that)

[Paul GA]

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

I really don't have a way to weigh the trailer. I was hoping to order the hitch today to ensure delivery this week. But I will wait until tomorrow and call equalizer. Do you folks think you can go to big with the hitch?

If you want to be sure get the tongue weighed.

That being said, I have the 1200 with my 27vrl loaded 7200. Best price I found Amazon. Night and day from the chains.

[fastalkintn]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

Just have to ask. #1 What is the towing capacity on your truck?

Edit:

Just have to ask. #2 What is the GVWR on your trailer? (sorry you gave that)

My towing is 9300#. Nissan Titan with big tow package

[thebrakeman]

I would rather err on the high side than low. Being too close (or over) your WDH rating means that the springs-bars act more like springs, and less like rigid bars, giving you the dreaded, sickening "porpoising" motion down the road. An accurate measurement of YOUR loaded TW would be best. But if you don't have, you should estimate a range:

For typical, average loading:
1. 27RDSS is 6355 dry. Add 1000 lbs for options and your gear = 7355 loaded.
2. Estimate 12.5% on the ball = 919 loaded TW.
3. Since I never like to be anywhere near the rated load, add 100 lbs = 1019.
By this estimate, you might squeak by with the 1000, but 1200 would not be too much, as most would agree.

Try a bit more:
1. 6355 + 1200 for options/gear = 7555
2. 7555 * 14% = 1058
3. 1058 + 100 = 1158
This puts you square on the 1200 lbs unit

To the maximum (which you will never actually see!):
1. 7800 lbs
2. 7800 * 15% = 1170
3. 1170 + 100 = 1270
IF, IF, IF you truly believe you load to 7600-7800 lbs, and IF, IF, IF, you you believe you will have a disproportionate amount of cargo forward of the axles, then the 1200 unit would be too soft, and you should go with the 1400.

But if you are an average packer, I'd stick to the 1200 lbs unit.
Again, I recommend you load for camping, and get an actual TW measurement. If loaded TW is 1100 or less, stick with the 1200 lbs unit. More than 1100 lbs, go with the 1400.

[fastalkintn]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

I would rather err on the high side than low. Being too close (or over) your WDH rating means that the springs-bars act more like springs, and less like rigid bars, giving you the dreaded, sickening "porpoising" motion down the road. An accurate measurement of YOUR loaded TW would be best. But if you don't have, you should estimate a range:

For typical, average loading:
1. 27RDSS is 6355 dry. Add 1000 lbs for options and your gear = 7355 loaded.
2. Estimate 12.5% on the ball = 919 loaded TW.
3. Since I never like to be anywhere near the rated load, add 100 lbs = 1019.
By this estimate, you might squeak by with the 1000, but 1200 would not be too much, as most would agree.

Try a bit more:
1. 6355 + 1200 for options/gear = 7555
2. 7555 * 14% = 1058
3. 1058 + 100 = 1158
This puts you square on the 1200 lbs unit

To the maximum (which you will never actually see!):
1. 7800 lbs
2. 7800 * 15% = 1170
3. 1170 + 100 = 1270
IF, IF, IF you truly believe you load to 7600-7800 lbs, and IF, IF, IF, you you believe you will have a disproportionate amount of cargo forward of the axles, then the 1200 unit would be too soft, and you should go with the 1400.

But if you are an average packer, I'd stick to the 1200 lbs unit.
Again, I recommend you load for camping, and get an actual TW measurement. If loaded TW is 1100 or less, stick with the 1200 lbs unit. More than 1100 lbs, go with the 1400.

Thank you for all the great input. After a conversation with equalizer and reading your post I ordered the #1200 unit.

Of interest, he did say that no difference in the bars between the #1200 and #1400 unit. Only the hitch head was different. After helping me run the numbers (much like you did above) he said the #1400 wasn't needed and didn't justify the cost difference.

Can't wait to get it installed, hope it improves my situation. We are heading to the Smokies Monday!

[rp53]

what do you not like about the E2 hitch ?

[fastalkintn]

Originally Posted by rp53

what do you not like about the E2 hitch ?

My trailer is 33' and I just didn't feel that the e2 gave me enough sway control. I used it with a smaller trailer and it worked fine. But with a trailer this long I feel 4 points of control instead of 2 would be safer.

[Devilscreekw]

We have the 1200 EZ 4 point. I cannot say enough about this hitch. My trailer is only 28' but with two rear sliders it is a Sway-O-Matic. It clunks and bangs in a campground loud enough to startle you, but that`s a small price to pay for relaxation on the road.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

My trailer is 33' and I just didn't feel that the e2 gave me enough sway control. I used it with a smaller trailer and it worked fine. But with a trailer this long I feel 4 points of control instead of 2 would be safer.

EXACTLY!

[rp53]

Originally Posted by fastalkintn

My trailer is 33' and I just didn't feel that the e2 gave me enough sway control. I used it with a smaller trailer and it worked fine. But with a trailer this long I feel 4 points of control instead of 2 would be safer.

Just curious, we have a 21fbrs with an E2 and it works great