Hello All,I am brand new to towing and currently have just purchased a new Jayco White hawk 25BHS Travel trailer which has a dry weight of 5360 lbs and a hitch weight of approx. 600 lbs and GVWR of 6500 lbs. I plan on towing the trailer with my 2010 Dodge Ram SLT 1500 with 5.7 hemi and 3.92 gear towing package capable of around 10000 lbs towing.I have read lots of people stating that because of the coil suspension in my truck that I might require air bags to be installed to assist and keep the truck level. I have been looking at the Total Load Control option. Obviously I will be using a weight distribution hitch but I still have not decided which one to go with. I am currently deciding between the Equal-I-zer 1000 lbs 4 point hitch or the Reese Dual Cam hitch 800 lbs. I have read that the Equal-I-zer 1000 lbs might be too stiff for my trailer and makes quite a bit of noise but is easier to set up vs the Reese. My questions are two fold:1. Which hitch do you think I will need for the best ride and 2. Do you think that I will require air bags to keep my ride level and assist with my suspension?My dealer wants to install a Reese Pro Trunion 800 lb set up with no sway control for $349 plus tax but I'd rather spend a bit more for safety only if its needed. I also don't want to spend money on the air bags if they are not needed. They are currently on sale, so I would rather buy them now if I will need them. Thanks for your help,Rather do it right the first time.Pete

I have heard good and bad things about the suspension on your truck I think in order for you to really know what you are going to need you will just have to put it all together and see how she rolls. Experience is a much better teacher than letting someone tell you how to set it up. All be it a tad bit more expensive.

As for which hitch to use, my dad and I have used the equalizer on all 6 of our trailers and have nothing but praise for them. One great benefit is that you do not have to purchase a separate stabilizer for trailer sway, it is already built in. It is strong enough to make your truck and trailer level, provided you have the ball height at the recommended height. You will not be disappointed, and as for noise, I only heard noise when I had to make tight turns in backing into a spot and that was on my 1968 35 footer being pulled by a 1972 Ford LTD.I cannot comment on the suspension, I have not read anything averse about Dodge trucks and trailer pulling.

The Kragle wrote:I plan on towing the trailer with my 2010 Dodge Ram SLT 1500 with 5.7 hemi and 3.92 gear towing package capable of around 10000 lbs towing.Just keep in mind the tow rating is likely not an RV tow rating.I have read lots of people stating that because of the coil suspension in my truck that I might require air bags to be installed to assist and keep the truck level.Coil springs is not a problem. It's the spring rate. Ram offers coil springs in the 3/4 tons as well with higher spring rates.I am currently deciding between the Equal-I-zer 1000 lbs 4 point hitch or the Reese Dual Cam hitch 800 lbs. I have read that the Equal-I-zer 1000 lbs might be too stiff for my trailer and makes quite a bit of noise but is easier to set up vs the Reese. Those are generally my understanding as well. I picked the Reese Strait Line. When it's adjusted well, 75mph is comfortable. When it's adjusted poorly, 60mph is scary. This has happened with 2 trucks and my TT tows behind a dually with no WDH at 72mph without problem. So should you choose the Reese, understand how to adjust it well. The EQ 1000 is designed for traielrs with 400-1000 pounds of TW. It won't be too stiff for your truck or TT. I use 1200 pound bars with my 500 pound dry TW trailer.1. Which hitch do you think I will need for the best ride and 2. Do you think that I will require air bags to keep my ride level and assist with my suspension?1: Get the cheaper one. There are not enough significant differences IMHO in effectiveness, sound, etc.2: My opinion is that air bags have no place with TTs. They at best complicate WDH adjustment and often mask overloaded situations. If you install a WDH such that the front axle weight is fully restored and the rear of the truck (fender height) sags more than 1.5" from unloaded, you are probably overloaded. That said, it seems that many 2009+ Ram half ton owners towing RVs use rear suspension aids.

Hitch up and go camping. Your Ram will have no problem with that trailer. It's very similar in weight to our old trailer I pulled with my Tundra. As for the hitch, they're both good choices so it comes down to personal preference. You should not need airbags either, but can always add them later.

Go with the 1000 lbs equalizer. Youll never look back. With weaker springs you want heavier bars. Make sure its set up properly.A must is to go to the cat scales after and now all your weights.. This way the are no ifs, ands, or buts....!!!!!

Setting up new Trailer | Good Sam Community

Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 30, 2014
Hitch up and go camping. Your Ram will have no problem with that trailer. It's very similar in weight to our old trailer I pulled with my Tundra. As for the hitch, they're both good choices so it comes down to personal preference. You should not need airbags either, but can always add them later.
APT
Explorer
May 30, 2014
The Kragle wrote:
I plan on towing the trailer with my 2010 Dodge Ram SLT 1500 with 5.7 hemi and 3.92 gear towing package capable of around 10000 lbs towing.

Just keep in mind the tow rating is likely not an RV tow rating.

I have read lots of people stating that because of the coil suspension in my truck that I might require air bags to be installed to assist and keep the truck level.

Coil springs is not a problem. It's the spring rate. Ram offers coil springs in the 3/4 tons as well with higher spring rates.

I am currently deciding between the Equal-I-zer 1000 lbs 4 point hitch or the Reese Dual Cam hitch 800 lbs. I have read that the Equal-I-zer 1000 lbs might be too stiff for my trailer and makes quite a bit of noise but is easier to set up vs the Reese.

Those are generally my understanding as well. I picked the Reese Strait Line. When it's adjusted well, 75mph is comfortable. When it's adjusted poorly, 60mph is scary. This has happened with 2 trucks and my TT tows behind a dually with no WDH at 72mph without problem. So should you choose the Reese, understand how to adjust it well. The EQ 1000 is designed for traielrs with 400-1000 pounds of TW. It won't be too stiff for your truck or TT. I use 1200 pound bars with my 500 pound dry TW trailer.

1. Which hitch do you think I will need for the best ride and
2. Do you think that I will require air bags to keep my ride level and assist with my suspension?

1: Get the cheaper one. There are not enough significant differences IMHO in effectiveness, sound, etc.

2: My opinion is that air bags have no place with TTs. They at best complicate WDH adjustment and often mask overloaded situations. If you install a WDH such that the front axle weight is fully restored and the rear of the truck (fender height) sags more than 1.5" from unloaded, you are probably overloaded. That said, it seems that many 2009+ Ram half ton owners towing RVs use rear suspension aids.
Grandpere
Explorer
May 30, 2014
As for which hitch to use, my dad and I have used the equalizer on all 6 of our trailers and have nothing but praise for them. One great benefit is that you do not have to purchase a separate stabilizer for trailer sway, it is already built in. It is strong enough to make your truck and trailer level, provided you have the ball height at the recommended height. You will not be disappointed, and as for noise, I only heard noise when I had to make tight turns in backing into a spot and that was on my 1968 35 footer being pulled by a 1972 Ford LTD.

I cannot comment on the suspension, I have not read anything averse about Dodge trucks and trailer pulling.
diazr2
Explorer
May 30, 2014
I have heard good and bad things about the suspension on your truck I think in order for you to really know what you are going to need you will just have to put it all together and see how she rolls. Experience is a much better teacher than letting someone tell you how to set it up. All be it a tad bit more expensive.

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