I have a 2003 Excursion Eddie Bauer 4X4, i am looking at getting a 30' travel trailer about 10800 GVWR. I have been looking at hitches online but there are many to choose from. Do you guys have any reccomendations? Thanks in advance.

 

Ant,

You are basically in the same boat as I am. Here is a link with a lot of good information.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-question.html

Biggest thing is too get weighed on some actual truck scales and these guys on the forum can really help out. But really need some weights first. In the thread are some links to some sites that sell hitches and their recommendations.

Hope this helps
Ramon

 

Thanks for the link, for truck scales would that be the ones on the side of the expressway for commercial trucks? Any idea of cost to weigh?

 

This is the one I used when I had my 31 foot travel trailer. I towed from Minnesota, across North Dakota and Montana without any problems. Even with a strong cross wind and tractor trailers going by me, it kept the trailer straight behind me all the time.


Equal-i-zer Hitch - The “American Original” with 4-Point Sway Control and Weight Distribution

 

At the certified CAT scales you would see at the truck stops it's about $8 a weigh.

 

In my opinion the best one on the market is at ProPride, Inc. Trailer Hitch - The Next Generation in Trailer Sway Elimination

 

heres mine.dual cam. || REESE PRODUCTS ||

 

I use a Reese Dual Cam as well but If I had the money (at the time I bought) it would have been the ProPride or a Hensley Arrow. The ProPride is an updated version but unfortuantley is so new , there are rarely any used ones around. You can find the Hensley used but if you go that route try to get one with a Serial number above 1000 (The newer the Better).

The Ex has a "stiff" rear set of springs and a "soft" front set. Most of them really benefit from front end spring changes to give them more travel. I also reccomend a rear sway bar (if yours does not have one) as it will make a big difference in handling.

The EX is a truely awesome TV when set up correctly.

D

 

For a 10000 pound trailer, would you reccommend Helwig Swaybar, RAS, or both?

 

I have both but if had it to do over would try just the RAS first. Then if I felt I needed more get the Helwig. I also replaced the front springs. I use a Reese Dual Cam it does a good job. If I could afford a ProPride would go that route. Good luck, John

 

https://www.rvlifestyles.net/ItemPag...0-544ab32b8796 I use the 12k and am very happy with it's performance and price.

 

I'm always intrigued by those that say the ProPride is "better" than the Hensley.

Both hitches employ the same virtual pivot point projection mechanism designed by Jim Hensley.

The ProPride does use 'different' parts one being the adjustable stinger. The Hensley welded fixed stinger while not adjustable...has served me well for 3 years and if I ever sell my truck...Hensley will send me a new one for FREE...

The ProPride uses a 'Yoke' mount versus 'Struts'...I'm not sure how one is any 'better' than the other personally.

The ProPride is slightly lighter from a hitch head perspective but that is offset by the much heavier stinger.

So...if anyone is in the market for an upscale hitch (ProPride, Hensley or even PullRite)...it is my opinion that all three are about as equal and you should shop price since performance of the ProPride and Hensley both have the 'bump' to deal with and the PullRite really is the best of the best (IMO) other than the less than optimal mounting configuration that is BELOW the factory receiver...but the anti-sway performance is IMO above the others since it has no possibility of the 'bump'.

For those that don't know what the 'bump' is...go over to RV.net and read some of my posts under my screen name crappie_fisherman...lots to read about...while the 'bump' is very unlikely...it IS possible.

I found that my 9000# TT could not be tuned to my liking with a Dual Cam even after spending hours at the CAT scale...I bit the bullet (before ProPride was on the market and I really didn't like the mounting of the PullRite on the Ex so I had one choice)...the Hensley really is worth the money IMO...it allows me to tow 12-14 hour days in 30+ mph cross winds...I'm convinced if I had a lesser hitch I would have had to sit at a campground and wait for the winds to die down when I was traveliing thru Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico a few years ago...my wife even said to me she was glad we bought the Hensley and that was after all her B$@&chin about spending that much on a silly orange hitch!...

My suggestion...if you can afford it...for a TT that large and heavy...with an Ex...go Hensely or ProPride (shop price and see who gives you the best deal)...performance wise these two hitches are dead nuts equal in my eyes.

The Ex has some rear end issues that can make finding the handle difficult with traditional friction based WD/Sway systems...and BTW...the Equal-I-zer and Dual Cam are friction based hitches just more friction than a simple friction bar...

Good luck,
Joe.

 

I made some adjustments to my original plan, I am looking at picking up my trailer tomorrow. The one I decided on has a max GVWR of 7500#, I am going to use the Equal I zer and P3 brake controller. As always thank-you for all the recommendations, they are much appreciated.

 

Good choices. I love my Prodigy. I too have an Equalizer. But if I had the money, I'd get a Hensley Arrow.

 

Drove up to chicago from indy yesterday with serious cross winds the whole stinking way. Once I saw the MASSIVE windmill farm I figured those winds were pretty much a given. I would not have even thought about that trip if I were still stuck with the friction control standard weight distributing hitch I have. With the Hensley it wasn't even a minor problem. One handed driving the whole way.

Don't get me wrong, you can feel it, there is a whole lot of trailer behind me (33 ft) plus the Ex, so there is a whole bunch of square footage for the wind to push against. The key is there is no tail wagging the dog.

As I mentioned in the other thread, I bought mine for a touch over 1K with some accessories and believe it money well spent, and my other hitch completely useless for this application.