question about hitch

[RockyRed]

Recently got new travel trailer__Surveyor 201rbs. Got fastway e2 800 distribution hitch. Have back problems and is hard to remove and install hitch due to weight of hitch. Any ideas on how to deal with this ?

[Spanko]

You mean into the receiver on the tow vehicle?

[Kaadk]

One option is to return the fastway and look into getting one of the Andersen's instead:

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...tion-kits.aspx

I have no experience with them, but they seem to be highly recommended for their lightweight.

Another option is to look into a hitch carrying handle like this:

https://www.amazon.com/HitchGrip-HG7...s=hitch+handle

It doesn't make your hitch any lighter, but maybe with the handle you don't have to stoop as much?

Last option is to just leave the hitch in the truck and not remove it. Just watch out backing up, people's shins, and all the other things that can be hit when you forget you have a big chunk of metal sticking out the back of your vehicle.

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

One option is to return the fastway and look into getting one of the Andersen's instead:

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...tion-kits.aspx

I have no experience with them, but they seem to be highly recommended for their lightweight.

Another option is to look into a hitch carrying handle like this:

https://www.amazon.com/HitchGrip-HG7...s=hitch+handle

It doesn't make your hitch any lighter, but maybe with the handle you don't have to stoop as much?

Last option is to just leave the hitch in the truck and not remove it. Just watch out backing up, people's shins, and all the other things that can be hit when you forget you have a big chunk of metal sticking out the back of your vehicle.

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

I've wondered about just leaving the Equalizer hitch on the truck, as we tow about every month, year-round.

Is their anymore downside to this other than the good points made in this post?

[Spanko]

Fits in garage, you are aware it's there really shouldn't be a concern. Just keep ball greased to prevent rust.

[RockyRed]

Thanks for the helpful tips. I've tried the handle and is still pretty heavy. Was wondering if any one has come up with some kind of wagon type carrier that helps. The man at Fastway said he had talked to a few people who had rigged up some sort of contraption to move their hitch with. Can't leave on because have to take off for bike rack when get to camping spot.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by mjones12

Is their anymore downside to this other than the good points made in this post?

Depends on state/local legislation. Illinois proposed this...

Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB3669

Which would require shanks to be removed when not towing. Wasn't enacted, but it's possible that certain areas have passed similar legislation.

[Locky]

If my memory serves me right, it is illegal in Michigan to leave your hitch in when not towing but I have yet ever heard of anybody being pulled over for it. As for weight and bad back....i feel your pain.

[marinerjoe]

Let me second the recommendation for the Andersen hitch. I’ve got one and it is orders of magnitude lighter than the traditional WDH I had. No heavy bars to deal with either. If your tongue weight is less than 1,000 lbs, and trailer less than 10,000 lbs, this might be the hitch for you.

[mjones12]

I'm guessing most folks leave their hitch on the truck after unhooking and setting up camp. I drive around with mine under those circumstances, but occasionally I do see one lying on the ground in campgrounds.

[david_reaves]

I couldn't find in a quick search, but I've seen a thread (or two) about using a lift for the hitch bar. There are variations, but it would be possible to make a tray/cradle/support that would fit a floor jack that could be used to insert, remove, and relocate a heavy weight distribution hitch. I'm thinking of buying this jack from Harbor Freight to build something for my heavy Reece Straightline WDH.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-...ack-68783.html

[Keystoner]

There was a thread about this issue with pictures of home made carry solutions. I just found the thread.

"Lifting Heavy RV Hitch to Receiver"
Forestriverforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149457

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by mjones12

I'm guessing most folks leave their hitch on the truck after unhooking and setting up camp. I drive around with mine under those circumstances, but occasionally I do see one lying on the ground in campgrounds.

I pull mine off and put it in one of the storage cubbies even at camp, because I hate wracking my shin on it. I was just recommending to the OP though that if it’s a problem to remove, then it’s ok to leave it, just watch out for the shin issue.

Personally, my vote would be for the OP to get the Andersen and significantly reduce his weight. I wish I had known about it before getting my first TT, as that’s the route I would have gone. However the OP may also be like me and have a hard time justifying spending money to replace a brand new hitch.

[joeuncool]

Originally Posted by mjones12

I've wondered about just leaving the Equalizer hitch on the truck, as we tow about every month, year-round.

Is their anymore downside to this other than the good points made in this post?

Only thing I would do is make sure you have a locking pin for it. I would leave mine on my truck but we don't tow that often and I don't like the looks of it hanging off the truck. The thing is heavy though. If I got to the point where I can't lift it, it's staying on the truck.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by DieselDrax

Depends on state/local legislation. Illinois proposed this...

Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB3669

Which would require shanks to be removed when not towing. Wasn't enacted, but it's possible that certain areas have passed similar legislation.

These "LAWS" really make me Our Tailgate sticks out farther than the W/D hitch,is it against the "LAW" to drive with the Tailgate Down? Youroo!! Leave your Hitch IN Protect yourself from "Bumper Humpers"!

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by youroo

These "LAWS" really make me Our Tailgate sticks out farther than the W/D hitch,is it against the "LAW" to drive with the Tailgate Down? Youroo!! Leave your Hitch IN Protect yourself from "Bumper Humpers"!

Yes, not to get political or take this thread into the weeds but it drives me nuts when laws are enacted because people don't want to take responsibility for their own actions or because they're not paying attention. Eesh.

[RockyRed]

Thanks for all the ideas about how to deal with my bad back and heavy distribution hitch. Some have mentioned the Andersen hitch. Could some of you who have the Andersen hitch tell me how much the part that you stick in truck receiver weighs__ie, the part with the ball. Also, have you had problems with the
plate getting crooked. I read something about that being a little hard to fix.

[marinerjoe]

Originally Posted by RockyRed

Thanks for all the ideas about how to deal with my bad back and heavy distribution hitch. Some have mentioned the Andersen hitch. Could some of you who have the Andersen hitch tell me how much the part that you stick in truck receiver weighs__ie, the part with the ball. Also, have you had problems with the
plate getting crooked. I read something about that being a little hard to fix.

The entire hitch shipped for 56 lbs. The plate, chains, and brackets are probably between 1/3 and 1/2 that weight.

If the plate is a tad cockeyed, it’s very easy to straighten. It only happened once for me before a 12 day trip south. Just crank on the nut on the far side of the plate until it’s straight. Then back off and tighten the nuts normally.

Great hitch, and it’s working very well for me.

[drmoparPHD]

Visit Harbor Freight or other suppliers and purchase a low cost rolling Transmission jack. You can roll the hitch head up to receiver and tilt head at any angle to just slide in. Removing is just as easy and roll into Garage for storage. You will only have to lift it one time, on the jack, and save your back.

[ray98]

I would just build a cheap dolly. Buy a $8 furniture dolly from Harbor freight and then make a platform the needed height from 2x4's. Roll it under, slide the hitch onto it and roll it out of the way.