Hitch recommendations please

[dangerdave]

Hi all,

Thank you in advance for your patience and advice. We are looking at a 2018 34RSBS with a hitch weight of 1250 GVWR 10,950 (2017 specs from rvusa.com). Tow vehicle is a 2015 RAM 2500 4x4 mega cab with the Cummins.

Could I have some specific hitch recommendations?

We currently have the Husky round bar w/ chains WDH with the anti-sway side device and we really like it towing our current 27RLS.

The dealer is recommending the Husky Centerline TS or Centerline towing system. I have no experience with this.

Thoughts? What would you get if this were your application?

Thanks!!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by dangerdave

snip...... What would you get if this were your application? Thanks!!

The 34RSBS can be a heavy TT depending on one's loading habits. I tend to load a little on the heavy side due to my frequent extended travel habits....., so "my" (if I had one) 34RSBS loaded weight would be around 9,800lbs. This would put "my" loaded 34RSBS tongue weight around 1,470lbs (15% of gross).

With a GVWR of 10,950lbs I would be looking at a WDH with at least a 1,500lb rating like I presently have....., but I would probably upgrade to the Reese Strait-Line (Dual Cam) with a 1,700lb rating thus providing a little extra loaded tongue weight range coverage.

My present Eagle has a 9,000lb GVWR, a scaled loaded weight of 8,500lbs and loaded tongue weight of 1,300lbs (15% of gross)......., I use a Reese Strait-Line (Dual Cam) rated at 1,500lbs with excellent results.

The Equal-i-zer brand WDH is a great product with integrated sway control as well, but I believe the maximum rating is 1,400lbs......, would be doable but caution would be required not to exceed a 1,400lb loaded tongue weight.

Also, keep in mind Jayco's published UVW of 8,600lbs isn't the "as shipped" weight ......, the as-shipped UVW may be closer to 9,000lbs.

I'm not that familiar with the Husky integrated sway control products with heavier applications like the 34RSBS to offer any performance comparisons with the Reese or Equal-i-zer products.

Bob

[dangerdave]

Rustic - Thank you for that informative response. You're direct experience actually completely backed up the research I was doing last night.

I'm a little down on the Centerline because people say you have to be nearly perfectly straight aligned with the trailer when you get the ball under the hitch or you have a hard time setting it.

Since I achieve that about 2% of the time......

The Equal-i-zer looked great (excepting the 1400 limit). Interesting metal on metal friction sway control.

I liked the Reese 1700. Pricey, but when you consider the DW and her potential reaction to a sway event.....


I did want to ask from some videos I watched...do you have to use a mallet to bang the torsion bar into position over the cam each time?

[Knauby]

I had great success with the Equal-i-zer hitch when I had my 34 foot Outback and if I ever went back to a TT I would use the same set up.

Positives were the all in one sway and weight distribution and ease of use. Great customer service when I had questions.

Only negative was having to grease up the contact points on the bars before each use and it got a little messy.

[need-a-vacation]

With an ~1250lb "dry tongue/hitch" weight, as Rustic mentioned, you could be at a 1500lb tw very easily, if not a little more. Unless there is a new player in the higher tw range, only the Reese Dual Cam or Blue Ox systems will be able to handle that high of a tw.

Double check your trucks factory receiver hitch rating for the tw also!!! You may be close to that rating as well. I know our '13 HD is rated at 1500lbs.

Good luck!!!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by dangerdave

snip..... I did want to ask from some videos I watched.. do you have to use a mallet to bang the torsion bar into position over the cam each time?

Never......, sounds like someone (in video) has an installation and/or adjustment issue.

I've had my Reese Dual Cam WDH going on 12 years and never had any issues with engaging/disengaging the spring bars over the cam arms.

With heavier loaded TT tongue weights (1,200lbs plus) improper installation and/or adjustment of any WDH can compromise performance/functionality expectations quickly.

Bob

PS: Researching some advertised 34RSBS units this morning I found the "as shipped" UVW's to be in the 9,200lb to 9,500lb range depending on options......, so my earlier assumption of "closer to 9,000lbs" appears to be on the light side.

[Darin]

I have a Husky Centerline and am very happy with it. It took some trial and error to get it set up correctly, but once that was done it has worked great. I don't find it to be any harder to hook up than any other hitch I have used and it calmed the swaying of my trailer down substantially.