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Route66Cruisers's avatar
Route66Cruisers
Explorer
Apr 27, 2013

10 K Equalizer for Light Weight Trailer?

I am contemplating purchasing an equalizer hitch for my 2008 FunFinder 189FBS. My tow vehicle is a 2010 F-150 4X4, 6-speed, 5.4 V8 long 3:55 gear ratio, long wheelbase pickup. My trailer has a GVWR of 5,855 lbs. Full loaded with water and supplies it weighs in at 5,200 lbs. I carry extra food and supplies in the bed of my pickup that totals to 300 pounds. I am deciding between to 6,000 lb. and the 10,000 lb. Some folks tell me to go with the 10,000 pounder as a safety margin considering the weight in the bed of the truck, 36 gallons of fuel and two passengers. Other folks tell me that a 10,000 lbs rated hitch can create a problem during an emergency maneuver on the highway. Anyone out there with some comments for me?

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  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    Since Ford reduced their requirement for restoring front axle weight lost after hitching up and your low tongue weight, I would agree with Ron that a 10 k hitch would be excessive. The 600# hitch will be more compliant and comfortable when towing. The hitch manufacturers make a variety of bars for good reason. They would love to build and stock only 1,200# bars if they were right for everyone.
  • atreis's avatar
    atreis
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    I've used a 10K on my lightweight trailer for 5 years now. It works great.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    I faced the same question before I bought my Equal-i-zer, so I called Progress Mfg and asked. They said it would not cause any ill effects to go bigger. So I got the 1k lb bars instead of the 600 lb. Worked fine for my 4000 lb Rockwood at the time.
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    Route66Cruisers wrote:
    ---My trailer has a GVWR of 5,855 lbs. Full loaded with water and supplies it weighs in at 5,200 lbs.---Some folks tell me to go with the 10,000 pounder as a safety margin considering the weight in the bed of the truck, 36 gallons of fuel and two passengers.---
    1) Your trailer probably has a tongue weight close to 600#.
    .
    2) Your WDH does not need to compensate for occupants, fuel, cargo, etc carried in the TV.

    3) IMO, a WDH rated for 1000# TW would be unnecessarily stiff for your trailer.

    I would opt for the 600# hitch.

    Ron
  • Tiggs's avatar
    Tiggs
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    I purchased the 10K Equalizer for my FunFinder X210WBS and love it. I haven't experienced sway from side wind or tractor trailer yet and it tows like a dream. In fact, I just hooked it up for a 500+ mile trip down to NC tomorrow.

    Carolyn
  • Route66Cruisers's avatar
    Route66Cruisers
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2013
    Mitch,

    I appreciate your feedback. The 10,000K model is making more sense to me now that I am considering the tension adjustment.
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Apr 27, 2013
    While I don't have an EQ hitch setup, it's just a standard EAZ Lift WD setup, but the hitch head is rated for 14k lbs and I'm running #1000 bars for a #5000 GVWR TT...

    What are your bar ratings for each hitch head rating? My guess is the 10k probably has #1000 or #1200 bars and the 6k probably has #600 or #800 bars..

    Considering how the EQ works compared to a standard WD setup, there could be some truth to that statement you heard... Then again, you can adjust the tension on an EQ just as I can on my EAZ Lift, so there you go... :)

    Mitch

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