Hitch? Sway bars? Recommendations?

[Hidaho]

While I realize this question is generic in nature I'd like to know if any one has any recommendations about hitches and sway bars etc.

I have heard from some friends that Reese isn't as strong or "Heavy Duty" as Equal-i-zer... and that I wouldn't need the Equalizer due to the lighter weight of my TT.

Towing a 4300lb trailer with a half ton chevy through the mountains and areas of high winds.

[MtnGuy]

The Reese Straight Line (Dual Cam), Equalizer 4 point, Blue Ox with integrated sway control all should work well.

You size spring bars to your trailer, depending on the hitch weight. With a 4300 lb. trailer, I can't imagine the hitch would ever be over 800 lbs, so that might be the size you need.

[buckisland1950]

While the Reese with a Sway Bar might do the job I have had both and can tell you there is no comparison when it come to the Equalizer for peace of mind. Had the Reese on a smaller trailer and only had one or two white knuckle moments but when I upgraded to 31 feet the sway bar couldn't handle it....

[bikendan]

the most popular WDHs are the Equal-i-zer and the Reese Dual-Cam. both have built-in sway and are priced well.

IMHO, the Equal-i-zer is simpler and doesn't require any drilling.
i've heard the Reese D/C is better for heavier trailers.

your trailer is about what mine weighs and i pull with an '07 Avalanche. i love my Equal-i-zer and it's been a "setup once and forget it" system.

RVW has it for around $430 with free shipping.

just a suggestion, this is asked constantly and there's tons of posts answering the same question.
you might want to do a search and you'll have lots of info available, to help with your choice.
that's how i ended up deciding on the EQ.

[Hidaho]

Thanks for the responses...I now have a foundation for the research to begin.

Bikendan - Appreciate your response and input. As far as the web page I am still getting accustomed to the forums and research. I just got done reading several different threads. Thanks for the direction...a lot of information.

[gtkato]

I've had Reese and Equalizer in the past. I liked the equalizer 4 point, but made some irritating noise while backing up. I now installed the Blue Ox Sway Pro and love it. It is especially nice with the quality powder coat finish and all the new BO Sway Pro now come with the chain cam for ease of installation and fine tuning sealed grease fittings and very user friendly.

[Idle_Idylist]

Glad you posted that gtakato! I just picked up a Blue Ox to replace a friction bar wdh and was starting to 2nd guess myself with all the positive things said about reese and equalizer.

[Hidaho]

OK, after doing some research I have some drastically different numbers.

The GVW of my trailer is 7465lbs
Dry weight including all options(Fictional - Bikendan) is 4365 lbs

I am estimating the weight of the trailer (When loaded) at 6721.8 lbs which includes the following:

1500 lbs of gear
796 lbs of fluids ( 36gal water, 30 gal gray, 30 gal blk tk at 8.3lb)
60 lbs of propane

Safe tongue weight of 1008.27 (15% of 6721.8)

= 779lbs safety margin of my Silverado's tow rating (7500lbs)

and the following hitch combinations

Blue Ox Sway Pro BXW1500
Equal-i-zer 1200/12000 4 pt hitch
Reese Dual Cam?

Open to criticism or suggestions....

[MtnGuy]

What make and model trailer do you have ???

Speculating here. With a GVWR of 7465 lbs., you probably have 2 3500 lb. axles, with a dry tongue weight of 465 lbs. You will have to do a lot of up front loading to get that up to 1000 lbs.

It is good figure a worse case scenario, but seldom do you carry liquids in all of your tanks at the same time.

1500 lbs. of gear is a lot......I travel with about 800 lbs.

Any of the hitches listed would work great, but with a 465 lbs dry tongue weight (not sure about that, but guessing from your figures), 800 lb. bars may be adequate.

[Elmer Swan]

My thinking is when you buy the 2nd hitch we all know at some point we're going to get a bigger trailer why not get the bigger hitch to began with?

[Hidaho]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

What make and model trailer do you have ???

Speculating here. With a GVWR of 7465 lbs., you probably have 2 3500 lb. axles, with a dry tongue weight of 465 lbs. You will have to do a lot of up front loading to get that up to 1000 lbs.

It is good figure a worse case scenario, but seldom do you carry liquids in all of your tanks at the same time.

1500 lbs. of gear is a lot......I travel with about 800 lbs.

Any of the hitches listed would work great, but with a 465 lbs dry tongue weight (not sure about that, but guessing from your figures), 800 lb. bars may be adequate.

Surveyor SP 260...I would prefer to have as few "White knuckle" moments as possible. now I just need to figure out how to measure tongure weight on the rig
Dry Hitch Weight465 lb. (211 kg )Dry Ship Weight4,015 lb. (1,821 kg )GVWR7,465 lb. (3,386 kg )Cargo Carrying Capacity3,114 lb. (1,412 kg )Exterior Length28 ft. 0 in. (8.5 m)Exterior Height8 ft. 9 in. (2.7 m)Exterior Width96 in. (2.4 m)Fresh Water Capacity36 gal. (136 L)Gray Water Capacity30 gal. (114 L)Black Water Capacity30 gal. (114 L)Awning Size16 ft. (4.9 m)

[BigDTx]

Originally Posted by Elmer Swan

My thinking is when you buy the 2nd hitch we all know at some point we're going to get a bigger trailer why not get the bigger hitch to began with?

to big of a hitch is overkill and cuases other problems while towing. I use the Eqaulizer 10K/1K lb setup and would reccomend the eqaulizer.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Hidaho

now I just need to figure out how to measure tongure weight on the rig

Here is an interesting article: How to Weigh a Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel

And to weight the tongue at home with bathroom scales: Tips on How To Tow a Trailer | etrailer.com

I used the bathroom scale method before I bought my Sherline scale. I also have gone across the local quarry scales a number of times, and came up with the same figures.