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09-06-2016, 10:48 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 19
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26BH WDH -- Equalizer 6k or 10k?
I'm in a bit of a spat with the dealer we are about to buy our new 26BH from. They are insisting that the Equalizer 4-way 6000# hitch is what meets the needs of the 26bh, citing dry weight (about 5100#). I've seen folks on here who swear by the 10k# version. Which is right? Will either work, am I worrying for nothing? While I'm not necessarily looking to go boondocking, I'm concerned that the 6k is "rated for 6000#" when the trailer can go up to 7000#.
I also called Equalizer and left a message asking for their recommendation.
__________________
2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 CrewCab 5.3L 3.23, (225k miles)
Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller
(Previously owned: 2015 Jayco 16XRB, 2017 Jay Flight 26BH Elite)
Places we've camped:
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09-06-2016, 10:51 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,580
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Check out the calculator on the Equalizer site.
I went with the suggested 10,000 lbs for my application.
Hitch Sizes
I put in a gross trailer weight of 6000 for your camper, 600lb tongue weight and 500lbs of cargo and they suggest the 10K for you.. I even put in the dry weights for the 26BH and with 500 lbs of cargo, they still recommend the 10K. If you have zero cargo, they'll drop you down to the 6K model. I trust equal-izer more than trailer salesman.
__________________
2016 27BHS Elite
2012 F-150 EcoBoost / Max Tow (Sold)
2017 'Blue Jeans' 6.2 F-250 Lariat 4.3 gears.
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09-06-2016, 11:56 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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You need to base the wd bars on your loaded tw. How much is the "brochure" dry tw? Add ~120lbs for 2-20lb tanks and a battery, or ~160lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery, plus whatever is loaded can add to the tw depending on how you load the trailer.
If the gvwr of the trailer is 7000lbs, you could possibly have a tw of 1050lbs (15% of 7000). No way would I take the 6k/600lb system. Tell them 10k/1000lb system or no deal! Or put it in writing that once the trailer is loaded and you weigh your rig, if your over they will exchange the wdh for no charge.
Remember, even if you only load the tt to 6000, or 6500lbs, having a slightly heavier tw (within reason!) will only help for a safe and stable tow experience. To light of a tw and you can and probably will end up with sway, even within the Equal-I-Zer system. The wdh could possibly mask the minor sway with to light of a tw until it is too late.
Good luck!!!
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09-06-2016, 12:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boston Suburbs
Posts: 302
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Show the salesman the link bansai posted above. That's a pretty solid answer for sizing the WDH.
Then let him know that you have been told, "it is widely known among the RV community that RV salesmen are known to be highly uneducated about WDHs" That is why you have been so diligent about your WDH.
Then ask him "why did I have to research all of this to find a Calculator from the manufacturer who you sell products from"?
Why didnt you know about this before me the customer told you the salesman about it?
Take a picture of his/her face as they're trying to explain their way out of it, and post it here for all of us!
__________________
2015 Jayflight SLX 287BHSW
2002 F-250 Extended Cab 4x4 6.8
Teconsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller
Reese SC Weight Distrubition with sway control (12,000lb)
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09-06-2016, 01:00 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: southern ontario
Posts: 498
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I went with the 1000#-10,000# hitch even with my 5,000 gross weight trailer even though they wanted to sell me the 600#-6,000#. My main reason was I might want to upgrade to a larger unit. Equalizer said it would work either one. My frame has a stamping near the front that says not to use a hitch higher then 1000#-10,000#. The dealer said the 600#-6,000# was what they had in stock but would order the other one no problem but that it might be a stiffer ride. I'm happy with my choice.
__________________
emptynesters
2012 Jayfeather 228
2012 F150 FX2 ecoscrew reg. tow pkg.
equalizer 1000# hitch
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09-06-2016, 01:21 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Palm Desert
Posts: 28
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We went with the 10K on an even smaller TT because we were anticipating moving up to a larger one. It worked great!
Be sure to keep it lubed and buy the extra little Sway Bracket Jackets as they make a huge difference in quieting the ride.
This WDH overcame many little loading issues that we encountered as newbies.
We just ordered a Greyhawk 29 MV so our towing days are likely over, but it just pains me to sell the Equalizer. See my add on the For Sale forum.
Good luck.
__________________
Kathleen and "the Big Guy"
Palm Desert, CA
2017 Greyhawk MV29
Livin' and lovin' Life!
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09-06-2016, 02:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Thunder Bay
Posts: 117
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I use the 8k bars...same trailer.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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09-06-2016, 02:43 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sinclaj1
snip..... I'm concerned that the 6k is "rated for 6000#" when the trailer can go up to 7000#....snip
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A justifiable concern.
Yes, a 6k rated WDH will work, but IMO you won't like the constraints being placed on your personal loading habits....., plus towing a 30ft TT (26BH) with a 10% to 12% tongue weight (of TT gross) isn't desirable..., a 13% to 15% range is more realistic and optimizes TV handling.
IMO your RV dealership is making the Equal-i-zer 6k WDH recommendation based on unrealistic loaded conditions and TV handling expectations.
Go with the Equal-i-zer rated at 1,000lbs (10k).
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)
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09-06-2016, 03:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Fairview, Oregon
Posts: 450
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I would go with the 10,000 lb hitch. Yes, the 6,000 lb will work but as time goes buy, i bet your hitch weight will go up as you add more and more weight (dual 6v batteries, full tanks, etc). You might also upgrade your TT someday and not have to buy another hitch! This is what happened to me.....
__________________
John & Pam Moore
Fairview, Oregon
2017 Jayco 321RSTS
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
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09-06-2016, 03:46 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle
A justifiable concern.
Yes, a 6k rated WDH will work, but IMO you won't like the constraints being placed on your personal loading habits....., plus towing a 30ft TT (26BH) with a 10% to 12% tongue weight (of TT gross) isn't desirable..., a 13% to 15% range is more realistic and optimizes TV handling.
IMO your RV dealership is making the Equal-i-zer 6k WDH recommendation based on unrealistic loaded conditions and TV handling expectations.
Go with the Equal-i-zer rated at 1,000lbs (10k).
Bob
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+1 indeed!
I had a similar issue. My dealer spec'd the hitch based on brochure weights. It worked for a while, but never very well. I recently upgraded my hitch and am a lot happier for it.
IMO, a hitch should be spec'd based on the maximum potential loaded condition of the trailer (the GVWR), not the minimum (brochure weight, which the trailer will NEVER be).
I just wish I had known what I know now, I would've demanded the bigger hitch at the time of sale.
__________________
-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)
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09-06-2016, 04:38 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Newburgh
Posts: 6,307
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I initially went with a 10K Equalizer for a 28BHBE (6500 dry appx 9K max) - I typically weigh in at roughly 8K towing loaded.
It didn't take long for me to realize I should have gone with the 12K. I upgraded and it GREATLY improved my tow experience.
__________________
2022 33RBTS
Progressive Industries EMS - Hardwired
Equalizer 4 Point WDH
2021 Ford F350 7.3
Air Lift Rear Bags w/ On Board Compressor (Pending)
2016 28BHBE - (Traded and Missed already)
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09-06-2016, 04:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcm157
I initially went with a 10K Equalizer for a 28BHBE (6500 dry appx 9K max) - I typically weigh in at roughly 8K towing loaded.
It didn't take long for me to realize I should have gone with the 12K. I upgraded and it GREATLY improved my tow experience.
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Oh man, now you have me wondering if my 10K is enough. I'm still not happy with the setup, but it keeps getting better as I tweak it. I still have to hit the scales..
__________________
2016 27BHS Elite
2012 F-150 EcoBoost / Max Tow (Sold)
2017 'Blue Jeans' 6.2 F-250 Lariat 4.3 gears.
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09-06-2016, 04:58 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Rancho Mirage, CA
Posts: 713
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We use the 10k bars on our approximately 5000 pound trailer. That's the size that the dealer installed. Once we get it loaded up we're probably closer to 6000 pounds. I'm glad they chose that size because I already know we will be moving up to a bigger trailer (fingers crossed).
__________________
Diego the German Shepherd & Family
2021 Ford F-250 Crew Cab, 7.3 Gas-10 speed
2006 Toyota Sequoia-Sold
2015 Jayco Jay Flight 23MB Elite
Previous RV's, 1988 33-foot Barth Class A and 1994 Flagstaff Pop-Up
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09-06-2016, 05:31 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 1,712
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I had a 2007 Silverado 1500 when we bought our 26BH and the dealer set us up with a 10K hitch.
__________________
2018 28BHBE
2017 Ford F250 XLT, 6.2 gasser
2013 26BH (traded)
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09-06-2016, 07:56 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Seattle
Posts: 115
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I have a 10k on my X213....I can't imagine a 6k on your rig. Definitely go 10k
__________________
_______________________________________
2016 Jayco Jayfeather X213
2013 Ford Expedition EL 4X4 w/HD Towing Package
Equal i zer 10k w/sway control
Wife, Kid, Entlebucher
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09-06-2016, 08:37 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 377
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I just sold my 2013 26BH. I used the Equalizer 10K and it worked like a charm. I would not feel comfortable with the 6K. The 10K performed well beyond expectations for the 26BH.
__________________
2022 F250 6.2L 4.30 Lariat Crew Cab
2017 Jayco Jay flight 28BHBE
Equalizer 14K Brand WDH (2.5" Shank)
2013 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
CMSgt USAF (Ret)
"GO BLUE". University of Michigan
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09-06-2016, 11:40 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 19
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Thanks everyone. I also talked with an engineer at Equalizer and they (along with their website) also recommended the 10k, basically for the same reasons you all have been saying.
I've told my dealer to get the Equalizer 10k. If they don't... no deal.
__________________
2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 CrewCab 5.3L 3.23, (225k miles)
Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller
(Previously owned: 2015 Jayco 16XRB, 2017 Jay Flight 26BH Elite)
Places we've camped:
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09-13-2016, 08:08 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 19
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Just wanted to let you guys know that we picked up our 2017 26BH yesterday, with the aforementioned Equalizer 10k (model 9000-1000). Between that and air-leveler shocks on the truck, the pull was nice and smooth, even with 25mph crosswind. A bit of movement, and almost no "bounce", nothing unreasonable. Sweet spot for my truck pulling this is 55-58mph, stays in third mostly unless it's flat, doesn't scream unless going up a pretty good hill, so I'm fine with taking things slow.
Love the new trailer, looking forward to Stone Mountain with it next month!
__________________
2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 CrewCab 5.3L 3.23, (225k miles)
Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller
(Previously owned: 2015 Jayco 16XRB, 2017 Jay Flight 26BH Elite)
Places we've camped:
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09-13-2016, 08:15 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,580
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Congrats!
__________________
2016 27BHS Elite
2012 F-150 EcoBoost / Max Tow (Sold)
2017 'Blue Jeans' 6.2 F-250 Lariat 4.3 gears.
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09-13-2016, 08:59 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,780
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sinclaj1
Thanks everyone. I also talked with an engineer at Equalizer and they (along with their website) also recommended the 10k, basically for the same reasons you all have been saying.
I've told my dealer to get the Equalizer 10k. If they don't... no deal.
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Good Plan!
We have 10K bars on our X23B. I have no regrets. The HTT is about a 5K loaded. In theory 8K bars would have worked. The dealer recommended upsizing to the larger size
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