Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-28-2015, 06:13 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 144
Question E2 v E4 hitch? both equalizer? Confused

The dealer has me all confused after I thought I knew what I needed. We placed an order last weekend for a Jay Flight 28BHBE. I told the dealer I wanted an Equalizer WDH and a P3 brake controller. He showed me info in a book he had about a E2 and an E4 WDH. He said they were both equalizer's and the E4 was just for much heavier trailers. That I needed an E2. I get home and research and see the E2 doesn't look to be the equalizer WDH and doesn't have 4pt sway control. I write the dealer and he insists it is from the same company that makes the equalizer and the E4 would be overkill for my trailer. I know we are flirting with our payload limit with our TV a 2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7 4X4 so I want the best WDH and brake controller. Is the dealer correct and I don't need the P4 (which he says is the equalizer with 4 point sway) or do I spend the extra $300 and get the P4? We are jumping from a PUP to a TT so I'm trying to learn all I can. Thanks
MommieMara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 07:00 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulton, NY
Posts: 958
At the very minimum, you NEED built in sway control. If you really want the best WDH then you need to look at the ProPride 3P or Hensley hitches. Get a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 or P3 brake controller. Don't let the dealer install anything else!
__________________


2017 28BHBE Kitchen skylight, remote control and Aluminum wheels hitched by ProPride 3P
2017 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 Big Horn Cummins
LiftedAWDAstro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 07:11 AM   #3
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
Always buy the best and you will never be unhappy with it. I would buy the better WDH simply because you may want to upgrade in the future to a larger TT.
wwsmith111 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 08:36 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
oldmanAZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
Quote:
Originally Posted by MommieMara View Post
The dealer has me all confused after I thought I knew what I needed. We placed an order last weekend for a Jay Flight 28BHBE. I told the dealer I wanted an Equalizer WDH and a P3 brake controller. He showed me info in a book he had about a E2 and an E4 WDH. He said they were both equalizer's and the E4 was just for much heavier trailers. That I needed an E2. I get home and research and see the E2 doesn't look to be the equalizer WDH and doesn't have 4pt sway control. I write the dealer and he insists it is from the same company that makes the equalizer and the E4 would be overkill for my trailer. I know we are flirting with our payload limit with our TV a 2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7 4X4 so I want the best WDH and brake controller. Is the dealer correct and I don't need the P4 (which he says is the equalizer with 4 point sway) or do I spend the extra $300 and get the P4? We are jumping from a PUP to a TT so I'm trying to learn all I can. Thanks
Congratulations on your new trailer.

The 2 hitches are sold by the same company and they are similar. The E4 was designed by Progress Manufacturing and is the one Progress Manufacturing has been selling for a number of years. It is offered in various weight ranges from lower than your trailer to heavier than your trailer; it is NOT just for heavy trailers.

The E4 is the one I, and most others on this site, have been using for a number of years. The E4 is more expensive, but until more people have had experience with the other model, the E4 is the one I own and the one I'd recommend.

Please take a look at other articles on this site about sway. There are setup and tire issues that are important with the larger trailer.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
oldmanAZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 08:51 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,740
I could not find anything on Equalizer's website about the two systems.

Here is a video that I thought was really good. Based on what they said and my experience with an E4, I would buy the E4, as it has the integrated sway control and E2 does not.

__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 09:13 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,588
You will absolutely want the E4 for that trailer. I would go with the 1200lb bars. I am pulling a Jay Flight 28BHS and have the E4 with 1000lb bars. The 28BHBE is a long and heavy trailer and will require a heavy duty hitch with superior sway control. The E2 is good for lighter and shorter trailers.

Spend the extra money and get the E4 and MAKE SURE you buy the right sized one for the trailer you are buying. I am finding a lot of these dealers are taking the dry published tongue weight (which is understated to say the least) and are matching the hitch based on that value. What you should be doing is taking the GVWR, multiplying that by about 0.12 and that will be your max tongue weight. Purchase your bars based upon this value.
SkyBound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 10:03 AM   #7
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
Calculating tongue weight may not work. After you put all your stuff inside the trailer go to a CAT scale and weight it hooked up and then the TV alone to measure tongue weight and axle weights. My rig was supposed to have 1140 lbs tongue weight but actually measured 2200 lbs tongue weight with all my stuff. I had to order larger spring bars for the equalizer hitch which cost me an additional $200 with chains. If I had known this in advance I would have gotten the larger spring bars to start with. You may be able to ball park the additional weight. You don't want too heavy spring bars either as they won't give enough which defeats the purpose of them to begin with.
wwsmith111 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 10:41 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Castro Valley
Posts: 225
Tell your dealer you want the E4 and you want them to match the price shown at the following site or you will order from the site and install yourself:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...trol-hitch.htm

Shipping is only $9.99
__________________
2018.5 Lance 2185 with 320 watts of Solar
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax

ddrueckh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 11:53 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Camper_bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
I tow a 2014 28BHBE, and I'm currently using the Fastway E2 (also made by Progress Manufacturing like the Equal-i-zer). This hitch uses the 1000/10000 round bar setup. It is adequate, but I would say barely.

If I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now, I would absolutely INSIST on the Equal-i-zer E4 in the 1200/12000 lb configuration (in fact, I'm going to sell mine to my brother to use with his enclosed utility trailer, and use that money to buy a brand new Equal-i-zer 1200/12000). My dealer spec'd the hitch based on dry weight. My measured tongue weight was 960 lbs, but I have since added weight to the front storage, so I know I'm over the 1000 lb rating on my bars, and they're a PITA to get on the hangers because they're maxed out.

The E4 hitch is a good compromise (IMHO) between the much more expensive hitches, and the much cheaper ones. They've been around for quite a while, and plenty of people are using them.
__________________

-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
Camper_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 12:12 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
oldmanAZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddrueckh View Post
Tell your dealer you want the E4 and you want them to match the price shown at the following site or you will order from the site and install yourself:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...trol-hitch.htm

Shipping is only $9.99
When comparing prices, make sure the shank is included in the price. Some places don't include it in their hitch prices.
__________________
Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
oldmanAZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 03:10 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Castro Valley
Posts: 225
The shank is included in the above link. It may not be the best price out there, but it is the best I found. My dealer wanted $880 for the hitch. I had them price match to the site. I'm sure they still made money, but I was happy with the price.
__________________
2018.5 Lance 2185 with 320 watts of Solar
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax

ddrueckh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 05:34 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 144
Yes my dealer wants $800 for the E4. that does include install. How much work is install? I was kinda counting on them showing us how it all works. The salesman told me getting to heavy duty a WDH could damage the trailer. That said the GVWR is 9250. I don't intend to get anywhere near that. From what I hear my true empty weight on the factory sticker will be around 6800 and I plan to keep things conservative and try not to go over 8000 giving me a tongue weight around 900 - 1000. Due to my payload restrictions I want to stay under 1000 tongue weight. So would the 1200 - 12000 be to much and I need a 1000 - 10000. Can to much damage my trailer or did the sales guy have no clue what he is talking about?
MommieMara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 05:58 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Castro Valley
Posts: 225
Your trailer is too big for the equal-I-zer 10,000/1,000lb hitch. You need at least the 12,000/1,200lb and even the 14,000/1,400lb would not be overkill. You should size the hitch to the trailer. The trailer GVWR is 9,250lbs. With a hitch weight of 12-15% you are looking at 1,110-1,387.5lbs. That is in the 14,000/1,400lb range. I know your truck can't handle that, but what if you get a new truck in 5 years that can? Do you want to buy a new hitch? The bigger one will not hurt the trailer or your truck. It will just leave you in a better position in the future. I am running the 12,000/1,200lb hitch on my 26BHS because depending on how I load it, it could go over 1,000lbs hitch weight.

I think you would do well with the 12,000/1,200lb E4 hitch. Don't settle for less.
__________________
2018.5 Lance 2185 with 320 watts of Solar
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax

ddrueckh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2015, 09:24 PM   #14
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by MommieMara View Post
snip...... Can to much damage my trailer or did the sales guy have no clue what he is talking about?
Yes to both questions.

"Any" improperly installed and/or adjusted WDH has the potential to create towing issues, that can in some instances result in damage to "something"..., even with a properly weight rated WDH.

....... and,

It's apparent that your salesperson doesn't have enough basic WDH knowledge to make a proper Equal-i-zer brand product recommendation, and/or "weight rating" selection.

The 28BHBE is a heavy and long TT, even under modest loading conditions, so I agree with the other comments that an Equal-i-zer E4 rated at 12,000lb/1,200lb is required (at a minimum). As mentioned, a 14,000lb/1,400lb rated E4 wouldn't be overkill, what's important is that the WDH is adjusted correctly to the TT's loaded tongue weight and the TV's front suspensions requirements (refer to TV owners manual).

Also confirm the "WD Mode" weight limits of your TV's OEM receiver.

At the end of the day, one should take their TV/TT under "loaded" conditions to a CAT scale to confirm all your TV/TT weights, tongue weight, and confirm that your E4 Equal-i-zer is adjusted properly to your TV's front suspension requirements (refer to TV owners manual).

CAT scale 'how-to': http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3871

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2015, 03:39 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 144
Good News, Dealer told me to email them the link showing the price of the 1200/12000 equalizer and they will match it. I have been very pleased with them. I got them down 37% below MSRP a price even lower than the RV direct quoted price. I then got them to throw in a slide awning for free now got them to match the lower price for the WDH
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 28BHBE
upgrading from Palomino Yearling 4102 Popup
2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7 4x4 full tow package
MommieMara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-01-2015, 01:30 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulton, NY
Posts: 958
Awesome!
__________________


2017 28BHBE Kitchen skylight, remote control and Aluminum wheels hitched by ProPride 3P
2017 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 Big Horn Cummins
LiftedAWDAstro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2015, 11:32 PM   #17
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by MommieMara View Post
Good News, Dealer told me to email them the link showing the price of the 1200/12000 equalizer and they will match it. I have been very pleased with them. I got them down 37% below MSRP a price even lower than the RV direct quoted price. I then got them to throw in a slide awning for free now got them to match the lower price for the WDH
Who did you buy from?
__________________
2013 F150 Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
2015 WhiteHawk 28DSBH
spud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2015, 04:45 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 144
Colerain RV out near Cincinnati
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 28BHBE
upgrading from Palomino Yearling 4102 Popup
2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7 4x4 full tow package
MommieMara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2015, 10:07 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
AKGperson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 327
Is there such a thing as over-sizing a WD hitch to the point where it causes damage? I currently have an e2 800/8000 hitch on my White Hawk 25BHS. I know a 1400/14000 hitch would be overkill but would it cause damage to the TV or TT?

Ken
__________________
"We're all here because...we're not all here"

2015 White Hawk 25BHS w/Outdoor Kitchen
2015 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Z71 4x4 Duramax
1985 Coleman Sequoia Tent Trailer
AKGperson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2015, 02:28 PM   #20
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Oshawa
Posts: 12
FYI, i recently contacted Equalizer Hitches. I was informed the 1200 and 1400 hitch uses the same bars. They both use the 1.5" square size bars. I also contacted a couple local RV dealers and they confirmed the same thing. The only difference between the 1200 and the 1400 is the contruction (casting thickness)of the hitch head. The 1200 is 3/8" thick and the 1400 is 1/2" thick to handle higher tongue weights. I have spent considerable time searching web for answer to my question of what hitch to buy. I need a 1200 for sure, but will likely get a 1400 because same bars and same weight distribution force ability. effectively both with give the same leveling and sway control, I had the equalizer representative repeat this severals times to make sure i understood it correctly. Hopefully this helps others to understand and feel free to call equalizer to confirm.

Cheers, Tim
timbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.