So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.

Before purchasing a new system, (if it were me), I'd try the existing one first. Try it with trailer empty (go for a 10 mile spin), and then load it with your toys and go for the same 10 mile spin. See if it handles OK under both conditions.If it doesn't feel right, the bars bend, or something happens, then move up to a higher rated WD system. But I have a feeling you'll know immediately if you hitch up with your existing system, you'll most likely be OK. That 2500 truck has a good suspension. All you need is a little extra 'umph'.

Towintoys wrote:So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.For the Equalizer system, all you'd need is the heaver bars to "upgrade" to 1,400/14,000 lb. Everything else should be the same. No need to buy another whole system.

sgip2000 wrote:Towintoys wrote:So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.For the Equalizer system, all you'd need is the heaver bars to "upgrade" to 1,400/14,000 lb. Everything else should be the same. No need to buy another whole system.I'm pretty sure that the 4pt Equal-i-zer requires you to upgrade the hitch head also, when moving to the heavier bars.

That unit has a 12,000 lb GVWR. Fully loaded you're probably looking at over 1400 lb of tongue weight, so I'd tend to think the heavier bars would be more suitable.

bikendan wrote:sgip2000 wrote:Towintoys wrote:So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.For the Equalizer system, all you'd need is the heaver bars to "upgrade" to 1,400/14,000 lb. Everything else should be the same. No need to buy another whole system.I'm pretty sure that the 4pt Equal-i-zer requires you to upgrade the hitch head also, when moving to the heavier bars.You are correct, I called Equal-izer regarding the 1,400# hitch vs. the 1,200# hitch and the bars are physically larger as is the head on the 1,400# model. I bought a Blue Ox SwayPro 1,500# hitch, we'll see how that does. It looks like it is much simpler and quicker to make adjustment changes and less wear parts than the Equalizer...which will go on Craigslist later tonight.

Dry Tongue weight vs. weight distributing hitch

Durb
Explorer
Aug 09, 2017
Towin Toys wrote:
The 1500# WD Hitch wasn't quite enough. The good folks at Major Hitch in Boise upgraded me to the 2,000# bars & the 2,000# 2-1/2" shank for only $45.00. I then thought my factory receiver might be a weak link so I put a Curt V5 commercial receiver on it with a 2,700# tongue & 20,000# tow rating. Filled the fresh water tank and loaded the RzR. Ended up raising the ball one hole. Trailer measures 22" front & rear from the bottom of the frame to the road on a level surfaced hooked up & pickup is within a half inch front to rear as when unloaded. I'm happy now. We'll see how it does this weekend......

I hope you are going someplace benign on your first trip to make sure your trailer and hitch are dialed in properly. I wouldn't go on 55 North along the Payette unless my confidence level is 100%. That road, although beautiful, kind of creeps me out even in a car. Good luck and have fun.
Towin_Toys
Explorer
Aug 09, 2017
The 1500# WD Hitch wasn't quite enough. The good folks at Major Hitch in Boise upgraded me to the 2,000# bars & the 2,000# 2-1/2" shank for only $45.00. I then thought my factory receiver might be a weak link so I put a Curt V5 commercial receiver on it with a 2,700# tongue & 20,000# tow rating. Filled the fresh water tank and loaded the RzR. Ended up raising the ball one hole. Trailer measures 22" front & rear from the bottom of the frame to the road on a level surfaced hooked up & pickup is within a half inch front to rear as when unloaded. I'm happy now. We'll see how it does this weekend......
lbrjet
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Go with the higher rated hitch. You will need it.
carringb
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
If the DRY hitch weight is 1,600 pounds your actual unloaded tongue weigh will be higher (propane + batts) and MUCH higher with full water.

yes, toys will reduce tongue weight, but ultimately will be determined by how much water you haul.
Towintoys
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017
bikendan wrote:
sgip2000 wrote:
Towintoys wrote:
So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?

Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.

For the Equalizer system, all you'd need is the heaver bars to "upgrade" to 1,400/14,000 lb. Everything else should be the same. No need to buy another whole system.

I'm pretty sure that the 4pt Equal-i-zer requires you to upgrade the hitch head also, when moving to the heavier bars.

You are correct, I called Equal-izer regarding the 1,400# hitch vs. the 1,200# hitch and the bars are physically larger as is the head on the 1,400# model. I bought a Blue Ox SwayPro 1,500# hitch, we'll see how that does. It looks like it is much simpler and quicker to make adjustment changes and less wear parts than the Equalizer...which will go on Craigslist later tonight.
drsteve
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017
That unit has a 12,000 lb GVWR. Fully loaded you're probably looking at over 1400 lb of tongue weight, so I'd tend to think the heavier bars would be more suitable.
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017
sgip2000 wrote:
Towintoys wrote:
So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?

Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.

For the Equalizer system, all you'd need is the heaver bars to "upgrade" to 1,400/14,000 lb. Everything else should be the same. No need to buy another whole system.

I'm pretty sure that the 4pt Equal-i-zer requires you to upgrade the hitch head also, when moving to the heavier bars.
sgip2000
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017
Towintoys wrote:
So we are picking up a new Desert Fox 24 AS tow hauler tomorrow and the stated dry hitch weight is 1610 pounds. The dealership says they usually just use a 1,000 pound rated weight distributing hitch for those. I'm Leary. I have a 1,000/10,000 LB Equil-i-zer hitch currently bit I also had Camping World set aside a new 1,400/14,000 LB hitch for me. I'm wondering if the 14,000 pound hitch will be OK. With the added weigh of toys in the back behind the axles there should be less tongue weight than a dry tongue weight.....right? Also, do the air bags our Silverado 2500HD has play a factor in this?

Thoughts? 1,400/14,000 is the largest one Equil-i-zer makes.

For the Equalizer system, all you'd need is the heaver bars to "upgrade" to 1,400/14,000 lb. Everything else should be the same. No need to buy another whole system.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017
Before purchasing a new system, (if it were me), I'd try the existing one first. Try it with trailer empty (go for a 10 mile spin), and then load it with your toys and go for the same 10 mile spin. See if it handles OK under both conditions.

If it doesn't feel right, the bars bend, or something happens, then move up to a higher rated WD system.

But I have a feeling you'll know immediately if you hitch up with your existing system, you'll most likely be OK. That 2500 truck has a good suspension. All you need is a little extra 'umph'.

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