26BH WDH -- Equalizer 6k or 10k?

sinclaj1 · 09-06-2016, 10:48 AM

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.

bansai · 09-06-2016, 10:51 AM

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.

need-a-vacation · 09-06-2016, 11:56 AM

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!!!

Jhowemca · 09-06-2016, 12:29 PM

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!

bigbird · 09-06-2016, 01:00 PM

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.

tomahawk · 09-06-2016, 01:21 PM

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.

Coldfusion · 09-06-2016, 02:36 PM

I use the 8k bars...same trailer.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rustic Eagle · 09-06-2016, 02:43 PM

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

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

John7349 · 09-06-2016, 03:39 PM

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.....

Camper_bob · 09-06-2016, 03:46 PM

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

+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.

Marcm157 · 09-06-2016, 04:38 PM

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.

bansai · 09-06-2016, 04:48 PM

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.

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..

Desert RVers · 09-06-2016, 04:58 PM

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).

Iraqvet05 · 09-06-2016, 05:31 PM

I had a 2007 Silverado 1500 when we bought our 26BH and the dealer set us up with a 10K hitch.

EV4D · 09-06-2016, 07:56 PM

I have a 10k on my X213....I can't imagine a 6k on your rig. Definitely go 10k

Explorer03 · 09-06-2016, 08:37 PM

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.

sinclaj1 · 09-06-2016, 11:40 PM

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.

sinclaj1 · 09-13-2016, 08:08 AM

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!

bansai · 09-13-2016, 08:15 AM

Congrats!

Jagiven · 09-13-2016, 08:59 AM

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.

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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