308RETS and Equal-i-zer Hitch Fit

[mikefos]

Hi,

Does anybody have one of the new Eagle Super Lite 308RETS trailers (updated 298RES model) that is running an Equal-i-zer brand hitch? With the new cap in front the way it hangs down a bit below the frame, I was wondering if it was far enough back as to not interfere w/ the spring bars. It looks like it in the pictures but it's hard to tell. We have this trailer ordered but I would like order the hitch before it gets here in early March, and be confident I won't have any fit issues, as I really like that hitch.

[David472]

The Equalizer WD bars need at least 37 inches from the ball back along the bottom of the tongue frame. The L-bracket mounts on the tongue frame at a distance between 29 and 32 inches from the ball. Maybe someone else knows the length of the tongue frame.

[Rustic Eagle]

Mike,

If you can't get an answer to your question, give Jayco a call because I know that they have made hitch brand/model recommendations in the past, implying they may have some mounting data.

Bob

[Merlin]

Please keep us posted, I was looking at doing the same thing when my 308 comes in at the end of March

[mikefos]

I had a good discussion on the phone w/ Equal-i-zer support, Daniel, and as I was going to the dealer's to take measurements on the weekend he said to send him some pics of the measurements. I sent those, along w/ some pics of the tongue area of that model that I copied off the Web so he could see the lay of the land and blow them up if necessary. He got back the following day w/ the reply below, so it looks like I am good to go w/ this model of hitch. My remaining question is about the hitch shank, as their shank selection tool shows a different one than I think (higher) should be needed, so I will call them later today about that. The one their tool suggests looks like by the time the ball is added will hit the tail gate if I opened it w/ the TT attached.

*** FROM PROGRESS MFG. ***

Thanks for getting the pictures. They were very, very helpful.

You’ll want to keep tabs on the trailer’s tongue weight when loaded, but from all that I can see, distance wise and ratings wise, the 90-00-1400 you have will work well with this new trailer.

The bars should ride below the level of the fiberglass front, and the brackets should install about 6 inches ahead of it, it seems. You shouldn’t have any obstructions.

Questions? Concerns? Anything that I didn’t speak to? Let me know. I want you to have all the information you feel like you need.
***

[Rustic Eagle]

Mike,

Excellent follow-up on the Equal-i-zer fit issue. If you could post your pics/measurements they would be a great reference for this thread.

Also, depending on the application many hitch shanks can be turned 180 degrees, and in some cases address a given height issue.

Bob

[mikefos]

Okey dokey. Info I sent Progress Mfg. below, and under that some of the pics I sent them to review.

****
I called you late last week to discuss whether the Equal-i-zer 1400/14K hitch system would fit the new model 2012 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 308RETS that I have on order. This is a new model that just came out. It is essentially an update of their Eagle Super Lite 298RES model. The new one has a front cap, which is my concern about whether the hitch will fit ok or not. They've added this cap, which conceals the propane tanks and I guess provides better aerodynamics. But it also takes up some room that used to be relatively open on the tongue A-frame. I have included some pictures I found of the front of the new model which I found on the Web, along w/ three that I took this weekend while taking some measurements at the dealer of this model. Assuming you have image viewing software, it helps to blow some of them up a bit. My concern is that there will be enough room for the spring bars that they don't rub into the new front cap, especially on turns. I've also included some measurements below. Can you please review this info and let me know if you think I will have issues w/ the Equal-i-zer hitch and this new model of trailer, or things will work ok. I really like this hitch system as I had it on our previous trailer. Thanks.

* Tongue weight dry - 990#

* Ball coupler height for hitching (per Jayco and confirmed by me at dealer) - 27.25"

* Length from ball coupler to front cap (top edge of cap) going down the tongue rail - 37"

* Length from edge of tongue rail to front cap edge - 5.5"

* Tongue frame width - 5"
*****

[mikefos]

About the proper shank, it was determined w/ the Equal-i-zer support person, after much discussion and him going out and actually measuring things, that shank 90-02-4800 would work perfectly w/o interfering w/ opening my tailgate. I am getting th 2.5" receiver model because I figured if I need to spend the big bucks for a specialty shank, I might as well get one that fits my class 5 receiver opening, instead of the sloppy 2" reducer. Onward...

[Rustic Eagle]

Mike,

The pic's are very helpful, I can see where the TT front cap would be a concern. Looks like Jayco allowed for a little opening, but not all WDH's are created equal.

Bob

[David472]

Mike,
About the shank, I have the 90-02-4100 shank for the 2" receiver. To get the proper ball height I needed to flip the shank so the long side pointed upward. Initially I was concerned like you, that the tailgate would hit when opened. It turned out there is good clearance. My TV is the half-ton where yours is the 3/4 ton, but maybe this info will help.

[mikefos]

Originally Posted by David472

Mike,
About the shank, I have the 90-02-4100 shank for the 2" receiver. To get the proper ball height I needed to flip the shank so the long side pointed upward. Initially I was concerned like you, that the tailgate would hit when opened. It turned out there is good clearance. My TV is the half-ton where yours is the 3/4 ton, but maybe this info will help.

Yea, my previous Equal-i-zer was the same size as yours, as was our trailer by the way, and I had it turned up and worked fine. The one that their hitch selection tool was telling me I needed really for our new trailer didn't jive w/ the measurements I had in hand and the coupler height from Jayco (which I verified last weekend at the dealer). Anyway, talking w/ a real person there at Progress Mfg., and him actually measuring the hitches there, we both agreed that the 4800 was the one that would work and not interfere w/ my tailgate. And it will be turned up. When the default hitch w/ one of their packaged systems doesn't work, another one is very expensive to order, so you better get it right. I love their support folks.

[308rets]

Great Thread.. We too just ordered a 308 RETS and can't wait till it arrives. We trailered boats for 15 years, but never a travel trailer. Your thread is helping with our hitch purchase decission. We'll keep watching... Thanks

[mikefos]

Jayco's coupler height of 27.25" was right on the money for this trailer. The new hitch worked out great. The dealer tech that for sure the ball was too high but lo and behold, it was perfect.

[Lady Ann]

Awesome!