Hitch size

[twosocks]

I purchased a Coachman Freedom Express 322RLD and have a question about the size of the equalizer hitch the dealer installed as part of the package. It is equal-I-zer brand and is rated for 1000 lb tongue weight and 10000 pound trailer. I have not had a chance to get the tongue weight at the scales yet but the spec for the trailer show a dry weight of 7200 lbs carrying capacity of 2558 and a tongue weight of 912 lbs. I assume the tongue weight is also dry weight and if so the hitch is under rated. Any thoughts?

[geotex1]

Yes, that's a dry tongue from the spec sheet. With the twin propane tanks and battery, you are probably now at 1K. Dealer should have given you the 1.2K/12K Equal-i-zer (assuming the 4pt version and not an E2).

[lbrjet]

Yes it is under rated. Should go with the 12K or 14K hitch. Unfortunately you can't just replace the bars, you will need new bars and a new hitch head. The sockets and bars are different sizes on all of the Equal-i-zer hitches.

Add the weight of the propane and the battery and you are at 1000 before you load anything into the trailer.


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

[The_Rhino]

When negotiating the price of our TT, I asked our dealer to include an Equalizer 4 WDH & some other "free" goodies which is standard practice... Originally they were going to install 1K / 10,000 because our TT only weighed 6,500 empty w/empty hitch of 650. However, I didn't feel comfortable with the 1K value, so they bumped it up to the 1.2K / 12,000 for no extra cost ("free").

I'm glad I went this route because our TT travels best with 13% on the hitch. Loaded, ready to camp, we're at around 8,000 so 13% on the hitch places me at 1,050-1,100... Again, the 1,100 value is with a 6,500 (empty) TT not your heavier 7,500 (empty) TT...

[twosocks]

This was my first rv and didn't know there were different size hitches, a little thought about it on my part might of helped. Went to the dealer today (Sat.) service manager not there and was told it was his call. Did find out from parts manager that the 1000/10000 equal-I-zer hitch is the only one they stock so that what they put on all tow vehicles. Seems to me that might open them up to a law suit. We'll see what happens Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for the replies

[Hornnumb2]

E2 you can just buy new bars.

[lbrjet]

Yea, I assumed (maybe incorrectly) with that large of trailer that the OP has the 4 point hitch.


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

[twosocks]

Was back out to the dealers today Monday 6th and the service manager agreed to swap out my hitch for a 1200/12000 and ordered it. He told me that he is no engineer but the tongue weight of a trailer will not change by adding items to the trailer such as propane, batteries, dishes, food etc. that the only way to increase the tongue weight from that published in the brochure is to over load the trailer above the GVW ie dry weight plus payload capacity. Makes me wonder about this dealership. Any thoughts and yes it is a four point hitch by equal-i-zer

[Great Laker]

Best advice for you is to read the manual and check the installation and adjust the hitch yourself. You will most likely find some measurement miscalculations. You will also understand how the system works so you can fine tune and dial in so you feel comfortable....and apparently he is not aware where the propane tanks and battery are mounted!!!!!!!

[lbrjet]

Good move.


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

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by twosocks

Was back out to the dealers today Monday 6th and the service manager agreed to swap out my hitch for a 1200/12000 and ordered it. He told me that he is no engineer but the tongue weight of a trailer will not change by adding items to the trailer such as propane, batteries, dishes, food etc. that the only way to increase the tongue weight from that published in the brochure is to over load the trailer above the GVW ie dry weight plus payload capacity. Makes me wonder about this dealership. Any thoughts and yes it is a four point hitch by equal-i-zer

I'd definitely agree that he is no engineer. He is basically stating that you don't change the tongue weight by adding weight to the tongue.

[Jerry01]

He told me that he is no engineer but the tongue weight of a trailer will not change by adding items to the trailer such as propane, batteries, dishes, food etc. that the only way to increase the tongue weight from that published in the brochure is to over load the trailer above the GVW ie dry weight plus payload capacity. Makes me wonder about this dealership.


Well I'm no math major either, but that's just laws of physics! Our first trailer had a dry tongue weight of 690 pounds. With two batteries propane and all the stuff in the front compartment, the tongue weight was just over 1000 pounds. Glad they are swapping the hitch out for you. Jerry


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[TURBS]

I think you should do a dealer review in the "dealer review" section so everyone is aware of this misguided service manager.


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by twosocks

Was back out to the dealers today Monday 6th and the service manager agreed to swap out my hitch for a 1200/12000 and ordered it. He told me that he is no engineer but the tongue weight of a trailer will not change by adding items to the trailer such as propane, batteries, dishes, food etc. that the only way to increase the tongue weight from that published in the brochure is to over load the trailer above the GVW ie dry weight plus payload capacity. Makes me wonder about this dealership. Any thoughts and yes it is a four point hitch by equal-i-zer

2 20lb propane tanks and an rv battery alone weigh 120 lbs. You average WD hitch weighs 100 Lbs. That's not counting the mounting hardware. Now add everything that goes in the pass through and closets and so forth and that hitch weight goes way up. I would think the 14K bars would be better and give you a little breathing room. Makes you wonder how some of these guy's become service managers.

[Boots64]

Hello. Our trailer is very similar to yours. 900lbs tongue weight, 6400lbs dry , 9500lbs loaded. The 1000lb hitch and 10000lb bars are the proper setup. I use the same rated bars as you with the Blue Ox system. The full 900lbs is only applied when the trailer is loaded to it's maximum limit. When the trailer is empty there is less weight on the tongue. Over sizing the bars has the same negative effect as having the bars rated to low. Hope this helps you.