Towing without a equalizer hitch

mabel wrote:
I happened to notice that my neighbor is towing his 28ft travel trailer without a equalizer hitch or sway control. He is towing it with a 1/2ton truck.
His trailer is similar to mine, which weighs 7200 pounds. I know this isn't a smart thing to do ...

You're absolutely correct but some reading this, especially newbies, may not know why. ;)

Twofold answer - every truck hitch receiver will have TWO sets of ratings, maximum trailer weight and maximum trailer tongue weight. One set is for Weight Carrying (WC), meaning no weight distribution being used, and a much higher Weight Distribution (WD) rating where weight distribution is being used. Tow more than than the WC rating without the benefit of weight distribution and 1) you're towing beyond the rated limits of the hitch receiver and 2) you're severely unloading the truck's front steer axle and have no means to restore much of that weight back to where it belongs, on the front steer axle. Both are an invitation to disaster, using a properly sized & adjusted weight distribution system avoids this entirely.

mabel wrote:
I happened to notice that my neighbor is towing his 28ft travel trailer without a equalizer hitch or sway control. He is towing it with a 1/2ton truck.
His trailer is similar to mine, which weighs 7200 pounds. I know this isn't a smart thing to do, but I was wondering if it is legal.
We are in Michigan and he is towing within the state.

Well that seals it right there!:R

I'm not sure if there are any laws against it but I'm pretty sure it voids any warranty on the vehicle AND if he should get into an accident he could have some very serious liability issues when it's discovered he was negligent in towing outside of the manufacturer's recommended limits.

My F250 has a tow rating of over 12,000 lbs with a 1200 lb tongue weight rating. Technically, weight distribution and anti-sway are not "required".

Most F150s require weight distribution over 500 lbs tongue weight.

There's no law stating WD hitches are required on anything. Laws do state there must be safety chains and break away breaks. Other than that, stupidity is king.

WNYBob wrote:
I have a 1500 Silverado LS "work truck" and tow a little smaller TT - 6000# loaded) without a WDH! Big change was when I upgraded my tires to 'E' rated ones from 'P'
I also up graded the TT to brass bushings & wet bolts and Dexter EZ-FLEX equilizer. The original bussing were worn out plastic!

Feel is good and safe! IMO

The question is - what is your Silvy's WC hitch rating? My '12 Silvy is WC rated at just 5000 / 600 lbs so with my Coachmen averaging ~ 4800 lbs loaded & ready to camp I barely within the first rating but because the average gross tongue weight runs ~ 625 lbs I'm clearly over on the second. That aside, the truck's rear end drops significantly when the trailer coupler lowered on to the ball and doesn't restore until I engage the WD spring bars. No way I could tow this trailer without weight distribution.

I have a 1500 Silverado LS "work truck" and tow a little smaller TT - 6000# loaded) without a WDH! Big change was when I upgraded my tires to 'E' rated ones from 'P'
I also up graded the TT to brass bushings & wet bolts and Dexter EZ-FLEX equilizer. The original bussing were worn out plastic!

Feel is good and safe! IMO

No laws, just good sense.
Some people don't notice how bad a trailer tows and that they have to constantly saw the steering wheel back and forth.

“I know this isn't a smart thing to do.”

No, it’s DUMB and unsafe. If you like your neighbor....