My E4 rated at 1,000/10,000 lbs has cracked and requires replacement. Considering the GVWR of my trailer is 7,800 lbs and 15% tongue weight is nearly 1,200 lbs, should I replace it with one rated at 1,200/12,000 or 1,400/14,000? I'm leaning toward the 1,400 but seek your wisdom/experience. Will the 1,400 be too much & affect the ride or stress the trailer frame or hitch receiver?(Dealer installed the 1,000 5 years ago when I purchased the trailer.)

My wisdom suggests calling Equal-i-zer.

I don't know why you think a 1400 is overkill. I used a 1200 for years on my little TT and it did the job just great.

I wouldn't be surprised if the manufacturer recommends the 1000/10000. I bet they would like more info about this cracked one and may replace for free, they should not crack.

Have you actually weighed the loaded tongue weight of the camper? Size it according to the actual loaded TW to be equal too or greater. Unless you weigh it, you really do not know how heavy it is. It could be over 15% or under. My prior 7,000# GVWR rated camper had a 20% loaded TW. Dealers have been know to supply a WD hitch too small for a loaded camper floor plan. The day it left their shop it may have been OK. Then you start loading it and it can then be too small. Unless they do some kind of study on actual loaded TW campers per floor plan by know their customers who use them, they really have no idea either. If you find your loaded TW requires an upgrade in hitch size, make sure you check the rating of the receiver on the truck that it can handle the upgrade. Also check the rear axle rating on the truck too. Every time a camper and truck is weighed there is often a surprize, wow how did it get that heavy? Darn stuff just plain adds up...Hope this helpsJohn

That's just about right where i am and I needed to go to a 1400# spring bar. Even if you don't "need" it, you will be well within the weight range for a 1400.

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Huntindog
Explorer
Feb 12, 2018
I will not make an "armchair" recommendation.
You need to determine if there are limitations of your TT frame. With many of todays TTs having lighter frames.... Going to heavy a bar could cause a problem. One of my TTs actually listed what size bars were permissable for each frame size. So.... First step.... Contact your TT manufacturer. Second step. determine your ACTUAL TW. Do these things first, and you will have your answer.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Feb 13, 2018
Definitely contact Progress Mfg (Equal-i-zer) when my square sockets developed cracks they sent me new ones under warranty. They never asked for a sales date or anything. Even if your trailer is overweight you should at least fix the hitch for free so you can sell it.
LVJJJ
Explorer
Feb 14, 2018
opnspaces, I see you have a 3/4 ton 96 Burb with a 350. How does it tow? seems like a lot of weight for a 350. I have a '94 Burb with 350 K-1500, 3.73 1/2 ton, the engine runs good but is low compression and is really weak. I've done several exterior upgrades so it tows halfway decent, pulling a TrailCruiser 26' just okay. Have you had to upgrade your engine much?
(dual exhaust, Fastchip computer upgrade chip, two cold air intakes, adjustable timing control, 15* advance)
scottsnider
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2018
I have a 5000 lbs trailer and got an equal-izer hitch from Craigslist for $75 make for a 1000 lbs trailer and it works great, was not planned that way but if works for me. Over kill for me works good.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Feb 27, 2018
LVJJJ wrote:
opnspaces, I see you have a 3/4 ton 96 Burb with a 350. How does it tow? seems like a lot of weight for a 350. I have a '94 Burb with 350 K-1500, 3.73 1/2 ton, the engine runs good but is low compression and is really weak. I've done several exterior upgrades so it tows halfway decent, pulling a TrailCruiser 26' just okay. Have you had to upgrade your engine much?
(dual exhaust, Fastchip computer upgrade chip, two cold air intakes, adjustable timing control, 15* advance)

Mine is stock, and up until the last few months it has towed great. Lately I notice it is not as fast up the hills as it used to be but it also just turned 190,000. I do have the 4.10 rear end which I'm sure helps and I'm also not shy about dropping it to second, putting my foot on the floor and holding it there until I get to the top. The worst thing is encountering a commuter car half way up the grade that causes me to drop out of the power band. Then it's just a slow crawl to get back up to speed. Since I still have kids I'll probably look for a 3/4 ton with a 454 when this one dies.
lbrjet
Explorer
Mar 01, 2018
The 12 and 14 use the same bars, so I don't see how the 14 is going to put more stress on your frame. The 14 hitch head will be heavier to lug around.

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