Help on weight distribution hitch

[RC08]

my new cherokee 274dbh weighs 6200 with tongue weight of 902 pounds. Is a hitch rated for 1000 pound tongue weight and 10000 pound trailer weight ok for this or should I go bigger when loaded the trailer will be around 7200 I am assuming the tongue weight increases when trailer is loaded but not sure by how much. Thanks for any help you can lend me on this subject

[bikendan]

if the "dry" tongue weight is 902lbs., you'll need a bigger hitch.
that amount doesn't include the weights of the battery, propane, water and cargo.
just the propane and battery will put you around 75lbs. more and you can be assured that with cargo and water, you'll easily be over the 1000lbs. hitch's capacity.

[RC08]

ok thanks I was wondering about that so I will go up to 1200 tongue and 12000 trailer then. Wasn't sure if 12000 pound bars mattered if trailer only weighed around 7300 loaded. is there such a thing as too much bar for the trailer. thanks for your help again. if you haven't noticed I'm new too this

[asquared]

Go with the 1200/12000 lb hitch.

[D_B Travelers]

Agreed! 1200# hitch

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by RC08

ok thanks I was wondering about that so I will go up to 1200 tongue and 12000 trailer then. Wasn't sure if 12000 pound bars mattered if trailer only weighed around 7300 loaded. is there such a thing as too much bar for the trailer. thanks for your help again. if you haven't noticed I'm new too this

Yes, you can have too much spring bar. If for instance you were to go with a 1400 lb. spring bar it would be too stiff for the bars to function as deigned. For one thing the ride would be awful. I would think given the weights you have described the 1200 lb. bars would be what you need.

[thebrakeman]

Being right at the limit of a WDH system won't break anything, nut it won't be stiff enough. I believe this is where a lot of people get that porpoising effect, where the bars are just constantly flexing and springing.

1400 lbs bars (as was said) might end up having not enough flex, and giving you a harsh ride. Imagine your car with springs that were too stiff. Suspension would not absorb bumps.

1200 sounds like your sweet spot.

[RC08]

Thanks to everyone for the information I order the 1200/12000 pound Equal-i-zer this morning.

[gfarmcafe]

Originally Posted by RC08

Thanks to everyone for the information I order the 1200/12000 pound Equal-i-zer this morning.

Good Choice! Trailer may be a little noisy when turning due to metal to metal friction of the side bars, but that's not a huge problem.

[thebrakeman]

I run with the Sway Bracket Jackets, and they have helped greatly.

[RC08]

I will look into the jackets thanks for the info

[D_B Travelers]

I am using a Trekker WDH with the built-in anti sway control. I went with that after I had pulled my parents and in-laws trailers many times with the friction sway controls. The Trekker is easy to use and you don't have to have another couple of small hitch balls attached to your TV or rig. It works by creating resistance at the distribution bars pivot point and restricts sway if under 10 degrees. However, you don't have to loosen it when parking or turning tight corners as some friction bars require. Just a suggestion you might consider, I am very happy with it pulling my 35" TT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7aOueLrp9g

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...lies/smile.gif

[thebrakeman]

Trekker looks like an Equalizer brand knockoff. The only real differences I see are:
a. The sockets that the bars slide into are torqued from the top (Equalizer bolts are from the bottom).
b. The bar-retention at the L-brackets are by a hinged retainer fork (nice!), rather than a removable L-pin.

However, after reading another thread on this site, I understand that Trekker recommends you loosen the sway control at the head during rain or other slippery conditions, just like is recommended for a friction sway control bar. I do not believe the Equalizer or any of the Dual Cam WDH (the most popular WDH with integrated sway control) call for loosening under such conditions.

The only thing called for on the Equal-I-zer is checking those bolts (and all other fasteners) periodically, to be sure they haven't loosened up.

The price I saw on the Trekker was also over $700!!! I didn't check around, but I think the Equalizer is easy to find for under $500.

[D_B Travelers]

brakeman - all is probably true, and I did spend $700 installed at Fun Town in Cleburne but didn't know any different at the time. I do like the Trekker hitch though and I don't think I would loosen the torque in slippery conditions, because I wouldn't be pulling in slippery conditions! Not if I can help it anyway. Thanks for the comparison, I'll look up the Equal-i-zer and compare, thanks.

[wicked1]

The dealer I bought my current trailer from gave me a Camco EZ-Lift 1000 with Sway Bar, since it was setup wrong on my F150 it was a nightmare, however I think I am going to keep this setup as most of these are basically the same and install it the right way on my new Roo 23IKSS, the Roo has a hitch weight of 600lbs and my Shast is 900, Shasta weighs 6700 dry and too 5100.

Key to doing this is set it up right so my front tires are not 1" higher.

I looked at the Camco Trekker since it does all this and I would have a much easier setup but do not need to spend another $600 when what I have should be good enough.

[D_B Travelers]

I think almost any WDH, if it sized for your load will work just fine for many years. We just needs something to control sway, so we have some feeling left in our knuckles when you get to your campground. I used friction sway control on my parents and in-laws TT with nothing but good results.
Congrats on the new rig!

[thebrakeman]

There is nothing wrong with a friction sway controller (or 2), as long as you use them correctly. When the need comes to replace a WDH, most recommend getting something with integrated sway control to cut down on setup time and more components. But a standard WDH plus add-on sway control will perform just fine.

Happy Camping!

[wicked1]

Thinking of a Reese Equilizer tired of all the parts that go with our Camco EZ-Lift 1400

[thebrakeman]

Reese does not make the Equal-I-zer. The Equal-I-zer brand WDH with integrated sway control is made by Progress Manufacturing.

The comparable-performing WDH from Reese would be their Dual-Cam setup. Completely different style, but is comparable performance and cost. Both are good bang-for-the-buck.