dumb question about weight distribution system

[Socalken]

i was wondering how a weight distribution system that is designed for a heavier tongue weight would effect a lighter tongue weight tt....i have a 184bh baja my tv is a 2005 2500hd duramax diesel. the weight distribution system i have was used for a much heavier trailer. i used it for our maiden voyage which was a 700 mile trip no problem at all, but wondering if it might be one in the future. the system is a Eaz-Lift 48058 Elite Weight Distributing Hitch Kit - 1,000 lbs Capacity. it says 1000lbs max on weight distribution system the tt tongue weight is close to 400lbs with my battery boxes. please let me know what you think.

[clubhouse]

The concern I would have it how much pressure you current WD is putting on the trailer A-Frame and if it has a frame and welds to support that much pressure. A WD hitch with smaller bars won't be able to put as much force on the travel trailers frame.

Now my question to you -- why are you using a WD hitch at all with that Duramax? Not sure what your receiver weight carrying rating is, but mine is 1000lbs -- no way that 184BH can get to a 1000 lbs. And I can't imagine that you need to re-distribute any weight back to the front axle for steering purposes.

If you need/want the sway control, you can simply use a friction sway bar with and still not use any WD bars.

[Socalken]

well good question.....I carry a full truck bed of stuff like firewood, coolers, etc. and with the trailer and no wd system it sags kinda bad....so after I put on the wd system it leveled everything out. I thought about what you are saying about the a frame...but just not sure....

[Socalken]

Can't find anything about it

[Camper_bob]

I'm interested if you find something about it. My brother wants to buy my Fastway E2 1000/10000 round bar WDH, to use on his enclosed utility trailer. Problem is his trailer will weigh 3k or 4k max. I told him this is too much hitch for him, but I'll gladly let him buy it off me and use the money for an Equalizer if I can find out it'll work for him...

[WVCamper]

Subscribed!
Same situation, previous TT was more like north of 1200# of tongue weight, now I'm at about 650 or so with the same bars. My setup is the equal-i-zer 1200/12,000.

[Mark H]

With my Curt WDH, you can buy the bars separately. It might be an option.

[Salsa03]

When I contacted EqualIzer, they told me that having a WDH at a higher rating is not an issue...

The system is made for UP to 1200lbs or 1000lbs... doesn't mean you have to be on that number to use it.

Once well installed and well leveled, just the appropriate weight will get distributed.

If it's not well installed, then yes, you could be putting too much pressure on the Aframe.

[tjpolsin]

I believe your spring bars are too heavy. you will probably have a better piece of mind if you swapped out your 1000# bars for something closer to your actual tongue weight.

you said your TT tongue weight is 440#, therefore the 550# bars offered with that system are probably a better setup than the 1000# bars you have now.

find a contact number for the company and give them a call.
Tim

[tjpolsin]

http://manuals.adventurerv.net/Eaz-L...structions.pdf

here is a link to a pdf I found.

[Socalken]

well spoke with Jayco and they said make sure its installed properly... also talked to easylift and they said the same as long as you done have it installed incorrectly then I would be fine....how the hell would I have them installed incorrectly if I read the instructions?

[WVCamper]

Translation: if it breaks it's your fault for improper installation! Have your dealer install it
Good Luck

[Socalken]

lol ya I guess... the dealer also said no problem so now im confused

[Salsa03]

Originally Posted by tjpolsin

I believe your spring bars are too heavy. you will probably have a better piece of mind if you swapped out your 1000# bars for something closer to your actual tongue weight.

you said your TT tongue weight is 440#, therefore the 550# bars offered with that system are probably a better setup than the 1000# bars you have now.

find a contact number for the company and give them a call.
Tim

I wouldn't go with 550lbs...if the dry tongue weight is 440lbs

That only leaves about 110lbs of marging to get to the max capacity of the bars!!!! Not much imo

Always better with something stronger than something too close to the limit!

[tjpolsin]

Originally Posted by Salsa03

I wouldn't go with 550lbs...if the dry tongue weight is 440lbs

That only leaves about 110lbs of marging to get to the max capacity of the bars!!!! Not much imo

Always better with something stronger than something too close to the limit!

I disagree. the max gross weight of that trailer is 3500#. with a tongue weight of 15% (high end of normal), the MAX the tongue would weigh is 525#.

550# bars are the most appropriate for this trailer.

[Socalken]

Sounds good. Thanks. Any ideas of company to go with?

[kvangil]

Originally Posted by Salsa03

When I contacted EqualIzer, they told me that having a WDH at a higher rating is not an issue...

The system is made for UP to 1200lbs or 1000lbs... doesn't mean you have to be on that number to use it.

Once well installed and well leveled, just the appropriate weight will get distributed.

If it's not well installed, then yes, you could be putting too much pressure on the Aframe.

X2. Currently using a 1400/14000 Equal-I-Zer hitch for our GVW 4950lbs camper and we have no issues with it whatsoever. Can't speak for other brands, but as far as Equal-I-Zer goes, this works perfectly fine. The only reason I have such heavy ratings is because the dealer ordered and installed it. If I had known, I would've gone with 1000/10000 rated hitch just because it would've been good enough.

OP,
In your case, I'd say an Equal-I-Zer 1000/10000 would be fine too.

[Socalken]

so i have returned the easy lift system. Now searching for a replacement and have a few in mind. the question i have now is my trailer is set up to accept a 2'' ball. why do most of the systems come pre installed with a larger ball. the hole is larger i am betting also so a 2'' ball might be a bit sloppy in the larger hole...any input?

[Socalken]

where should i go from here? any ideas on make? curt? equal-i-zer? easylift? reese?

[jddave]

Socalken;
If it helps here is my experience with a 1400/14000 Equal-I-Zer hitch. We purchased our 2011 Jay Flight 24RKS trailer last year from our local Jayco dealer and had them install the hitch. When my wife & I decided to go on a 13,000 mile trip of North America this spring we also had air-bags installed on the TV. The system was level and handled very well even in heavy cross winds thru Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle. Unfortunately most of the lug nuts on the trailer needed re-torquing every 500 miles[had not been a problem last year as I followed re-torquing procedure]. Many helpful fellow campers and truck drivers could not explain why this would be happening. I found the problem after about 3 weeks on the road- the support for the Equal-I-Zer bar on the passenger side had loosened and was about 6 inches closer to the TV on the trailer frame. Once I returned it to its original position the lug-nut problem was resolved.
I can recommend the Equal-Zer system as we felt safe as the ride was steady and smooth even with large transports passing in high wind conditions.

Pam & Dave