Fair price for Equilizer & install

[Taranwanderer]

What's the thinking on having a dealer install a new Equilizer for my TT and truck? The Salem 292fkds has a dry weight of 7672# and a hitch weight (tongue weight?) of 1125#. I'm thinking I should buy a 10,000# model, but that's only good for 1,000# tongue weight, so maybe a 12,000# hitch would be better? The dealer is quoting me a price of $852 for a 10k model and $872 for the 12k one, installed. Does that seem right or a little high? Thoughts, please. Thanks!

[Rebel702]

I sized my EQ based on the tow capabilities of my TV in case I upgrade in the future. Dealer sold the hitch and special shank for my vehicle at cost, just under $750. (EQ-4, 14,000/1400)

[bikendan]

i think both prices are ridiculous!
you can get the Equalizer with free shipping for around $450.
it's not that hard to install but i got the dealer i bought my HTT from, to install for free.
certainly not worth $400 to install. that's 4hrs. of shop time.
other than needing a thin-walled socket to tighten the ball, any somewhat handy person can install it, by following the manufacturer's videos and instructions.

[jjm901]

My dealer quoted me $495 for the 2 point equal-i-zer installed and $695 for the 4 point equal-i-zer installed. I thought both prices were high. a trained technician should be able to install in 30 minutes to 1 hour max. RV Wholesalers sells the 4 point for $445 meaning my dealer was trying to get $250 for upto 1 hour of Labor. I would try to negotiate $500-$550 as a "fair" price for an installed 4 point equal-i-zer with less than $500 being a great deal for you, and $550+ being a profit center for the dealer.

[GASPEDDLER]

$500 is what mine cost one year back, installed. Not much to install though....it's more adjustment than anything else.

[campdohbrew]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

What's the thinking on having a dealer install a new Equilizer for my TT and truck? The Salem 292fkds has a dry weight of 7672# and a hitch weight (tongue weight?) of 1125#. I'm thinking I should buy a 10,000# model, but that's only good for 1,000# tongue weight, so maybe a 12,000# hitch would be better? The dealer is quoting me a price of $852 for a 10k model and $872 for the 12k one, installed. Does that seem right or a little high? Thoughts, please. Thanks!

The attached shows the prices from www.equalizerhitch.com. Any install fees would have to be added.

[Stevea1956]

You can buy my 2 year old 1000/10000 4 point for $250 if you're anywhere near Toledo Ohio. The only thing to install are the brackets for the torsion bars.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

What's the thinking on having a dealer install a new Equilizer for my TT and truck? The Salem 292fkds has a dry weight of 7672# and a hitch weight (tongue weight?) of 1125#. I'm thinking I should buy a 10,000# model, but that's only good for 1,000# tongue weight, so maybe a 12,000# hitch would be better? The dealer is quoting me a price of $852 for a 10k model and $872 for the 12k one, installed. Does that seem right or a little high? Thoughts, please. Thanks!

You need the 12,000/1,200 lb bars.

The prices are inflated because of the setup. As Dan mentioned, you can get it for about $450 from RV Wholesalers. Check their site. You will also need to buy a thin-walled socket for $90 or so unless someone on this forum is selling one. The 350lb torque might be a problem. My torque wrench doesn't go that high so find a neighborhood mechanic who has the tool and will torque it for $10.

I encourage anyone to set it up themselves. Only way to know your hitch and to know if was done right. It seems that many people who complain about their setups seem to have it installed at their dealers IMHO.

[campdohbrew]

I am NO hitch expert, but I have been researching manufacturers as I am in the market for a new hitch. I read that you can have too much hitch which will cause your trailer to bounce. If that is true, you do not want to get too far over your weighted needs.

[jim44646]

Everybody seems to forget the installer is bringing his own tools to the table. Maybe it only takes an hour. Do you have the couple hundred of dollars worth of tools needed. If a tool breaks on the install should that be added to your bill? Do you have the equipment to get the vehicle off the floor to safely work on it?