Hitch recommendation
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 703
Likes: 288
From: SE Vermont, South Jersey
### Iowa: The Main State with a Specific Requirement
**Iowa** is the clearest example where state law requires a **weight equalizing hitch with sway control** for certain trailers.
- According to Iowa Code § 321.430: Every trailer, semitrailer, or travel trailer with a **gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more** must be equipped with brakes (adequate to control/stop the vehicle, with a separate/auxiliary means of application from the towing vehicle's cab or self-actuating brakes) **and** a weight equalizing hitch with sway control.
- This does **not** apply to trailers or semitrailers towed by a truck or truck tractor (those only need to meet the brake requirements).
- "Gross weight" here refers to the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or actual gross weight.
**Iowa** is the clearest example where state law requires a **weight equalizing hitch with sway control** for certain trailers.
- According to Iowa Code § 321.430: Every trailer, semitrailer, or travel trailer with a **gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more** must be equipped with brakes (adequate to control/stop the vehicle, with a separate/auxiliary means of application from the towing vehicle's cab or self-actuating brakes) **and** a weight equalizing hitch with sway control.
- This does **not** apply to trailers or semitrailers towed by a truck or truck tractor (those only need to meet the brake requirements).
- "Gross weight" here refers to the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or actual gross weight.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
Hi all
Wow, thank you all so much for the advice and valuable inputs! I learned a lot and didn't know different states may have a code on WDH.
Safety comes before anything for my family and others around me, that's why I've been researching into this and asking for inputs from more experienced. My friends say I don't really need a SD to tow 7k trailers, but I firmly believe in "better safe than sorry".
To answer, my friends have recommended based on their experiences that I rent trailers from rvesy and outdoorsy. That's where I plan on renting from and since I'll be dealing with private owners, I do not think they'd have any hard requirements for WDH, etc. But it was a good point. I will be sure to ask if I can use my own WDH.
Initially I was almost set on BW tow and stow for ease of use and its ability to tow almost any trailers but after reading discussions here and researching, I may start out with equalizer (if the trailer owner doesn't object). It seems still not as involved when putting on and it'll provide the safety net I'd need.
I can't wait to start getting real practice in and learning!
Wow, thank you all so much for the advice and valuable inputs! I learned a lot and didn't know different states may have a code on WDH.
Safety comes before anything for my family and others around me, that's why I've been researching into this and asking for inputs from more experienced. My friends say I don't really need a SD to tow 7k trailers, but I firmly believe in "better safe than sorry".
To answer, my friends have recommended based on their experiences that I rent trailers from rvesy and outdoorsy. That's where I plan on renting from and since I'll be dealing with private owners, I do not think they'd have any hard requirements for WDH, etc. But it was a good point. I will be sure to ask if I can use my own WDH.
Initially I was almost set on BW tow and stow for ease of use and its ability to tow almost any trailers but after reading discussions here and researching, I may start out with equalizer (if the trailer owner doesn't object). It seems still not as involved when putting on and it'll provide the safety net I'd need.
I can't wait to start getting real practice in and learning!
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