I am getting ready to spring for the Equalizer WD Hitch. I am debating on whether or not to order the 1200lb model or the 1400lb model. My tongue weight is 1050lbs, max I'll carry is near 12000. Is there any advantage or disadvantage on getting the larger capacity? Or should I just stick to what matches my setup closer? I figure if I get the 1400/14000, it'll give me some room to grow...but will it be too much? Too stiff, perhaps?
12,000#'s max weight at 12% tongue weight is 1440#'s.
Your biggest challenge will be the rear receivers rating in WD mode of 1250#'s...at the weights you are talking about your loaded trailer...you may have more on the tongue than you think.
Is your 1050#'s listed above as weighed or estimated?
1400# bars will give you a stiffer ride...no doubt...but with the loads you are talking about...in order to have a stable and sway free tow...you will be well OVER 1200#'s on the tongue...in fact you may find that your weighed tongue to get a stable tow is in excess of 15% of your loaded trailer...that means 12,000*.15 = 1800#'s!!!...think about that one for a minute...
I had 16% tongue weight when I started of a 9000# TT...I managed to get my weight down to ~12-13% (or 1100-1200#s depending on fresh water or not) but my goal was to stay stable AND stay UNDER my receiver rating of 1250...BUT I only tow 9000#'s too...
joe.
__________________ 2005 Ex V10 4.30's
- Hensley Arrow
- Rear Hellwig
- Prodigy
- RoadMaster Active Rear Suspension
- Bilsteins
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Thanks again Joe! Thats kind of the way I was thinking also. The 1050 is manufacturer rating...dry, I assume. So yes, I'll likely exceed the 1200# rating.
The strange thing is that there is no difference in the size of the spring bars between the 1.2k and 1.4k... so why is one rated higher than the other? The specs on the hitch box are also the same, but it weights 2# more... so maybe that is the difference. Wow - 2# more for a $100... thats $50 per #.
Sometimes I wonder if they just use the same product/materials and 'rate/certify' it higher to make more money. Of course I would never advocate exceeding the MFG ratings, soley for the liability aspect, but still, I wonder.
Yeah my manufacturer's rating for my tongue was around 800# (If my memory is still good) so I figured it would be around 900-1000# loaded-WRONG it pegs the 1000# tongue scale easily.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VR6Nutt
Thanks again Joe! Thats kind of the way I was thinking also. The 1050 is manufacturer rating...dry, I assume. So yes, I'll likely exceed the 1200# rating.
__________________
06 Explorer Ltd 4X4 4.6 tow package
96 Regal 258 (pulled by the Expl)
00 Excursion Ltd 4X4 V-10
08 Jayco 31 BHDS (pulled by the Ex)
Yeah my manufacturer's rating for my tongue was around 800# (If my memory is still good) so I figured it would be around 900-1000# loaded-WRONG it pegs the 1000# tongue scale easily.
Rule #1... RV Manufacturers lie.
Rule #2... RV Salesman will tell you that a Festiva can pull a 5th wheel.
Rule #3... FTE and RVdotNET are the two BEST places to get real world information on towing!!!
Rule #3... FTE and RVdotNET are the two BEST places to get real world information on towing!!!
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Ordered the 1400lb kit from adventurervdotnet. They had the best price and fast shipping too! Now to get my TH back from dealer and set this thing up. I will RTFM 1st, but are there any tricks/tips in doing this?
Rockwood says my TW is 850lbs on paper. I got the Sherline Shock the other day when I took a reading of nearly 1400lbs loaded up for camping. I was able to empty the FW tank and shift some cargo around but I cant get it under 1300lbs. I do have a bike rack on my front with 2 adult bikes so I guess that is an extra 125lbs. I am still trying to shift my load but I am pretty sure that is the best it is gonna get and when I carry water it will be even worse.
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