10 K Equalizer for Light Weight Trailer?

TomG2 wrote:
The frame on a trailer with a 400 pound tongue weight is likely to be not as strong as one with 1,000 pounds TW. Agreed? The force applied to the lighter frame by the 1,000 pound bars when the driver goes through a big dip or rise when entering a parking lot is a lot more than when cruising down the highway. I would not want the stiffer bars in such a situation. I like a size ten shoe on a size ten foot, although a size thirteen will fit.

Besides, I use an Andersen hitch which is totally adjustable, depending on the owners wants and needs.

TomG2 wrote:
Someone better tell the various hitch manufactures to quit making so many options, we now have the "one size fits all" hitch proclamation. I can get rid of my assortment of hammers too, as a two pounder will do the work of the other dozen. Don't things work better when they are used at or near what they were engineered for?

By the way, there are way more VW's sold than BMW's. Does that make them "better"? Sales quantity has nothing to do with quality.

Ron Gratz wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
It just makes no sense whatsoever to be near or at the maximum of anything.---

What does "at the maximum of" mean as applied to WD bars?
With the OP's rig, a TW of 625# would cause a load of about 240# to be removed from the TV's steer axle.
To restore the front axle to the unhitched value would require a load of about 480# to be applied to each WD bar.
Are you going to tell us that a load of 480# applied to a WD bar rated for 600# would put the bar "near or at the maximum"?

If the OP ever loads to near his GVWR he will need to move more than 600#. So now which bar does a better job, one capable of 600 or one rated at 1,000#? IMHO: It is nice to have the reserve capacity available

Desert Captain wrote:
---The difference in ride and handling is also insignificant. What possible advantage is there to going with the lighter/weaker WDH?---

One possible advantage is that the difference in ride, with more flexible bars versus less flexible bars, might not be insignificant.
The less flexible bars can transfer more road shock from TT to TV.

Another possible advantage is that the difference in handling, with more flexible bars versus less flexible bars, might not be insignificant.
The less flexible bars will cause greater variations in load transfer when the TV's rear tires go through a dip or over a bump.

Another possible advantage is that the difference in fatigue loading on the TV's receiver and the TT's A-frame and body might not be insignificant.
The less flexible bars likely will cause larger dynamic forces and moments to be transmitted between TV and TT and vice versa.

All three of your "possible advantages" are about more flex and come with "might nots". I tow a 4600/5000# TT with the 1,000# bars and the ride and control are excellent. I'm glad there is less metal "flexing" on my rig. With the lighter bars it might ride a little better but then again, it might not.

Desert Captain wrote:
---Check with Progress Mfg and ask how many of each unit they sell. Want to wager that the 1,000/10,000# model is the overwhelming sales leader?

Which hitch is the biggest seller proves nothing. If they do sell more of the 1000/10000# model, do you think it might be due to the fact that they do not sell an 800/8000#.? And, if you closely followed WDH selection discussions on this Forum, you would know that Equal-i-zer loses sales to Reese because the former does not offer an 800# hitch and the latter does.

Sales prove a lot as it accurately reflects what product is meeting the needs of most consumers.

Desert Captain wrote:
It just makes no sense whatsoever to be near or at the maximum of anything.---

Does that apply to someone who tows with a truck which "comes in at 6924# against a GVWR of 7050#"?

Depends, is the TT that truck is towing 4,000# under the TV's rated towing capacity and 3,500# under the GCWR? You really need to look at all three to see how hard the TV is working. Also that TT's GVWR can be adjusted easily enough by loading more into the TT without significantly changing the relevant numbers. The WDH is where the TT and TV come together and redistribute the loads and should be the last place you want to skimp. As I recall that's what we are talking about. :C

Ron

Route66Cruisers wrote:
I greatly appreciate all the responses that I have received to my post! RWDIII, I enjoyed the photo of your Fun Finder and F-150. My F-150 is the same color. Do you have a 5.4 Triton in yours? That Palomino look pretty good perched on your pickup!

Mike