10 K Equalizer for Light Weight Trailer?

[Route66Cruisers]

I am contemplating purchasing an equalizer hitch for my 2008 FunFinder 189FBS. My tow vehicle is a 2010 F-150 4X4, 6-speed, 5.4 V8 long 3:55 gear ratio, long wheelbase pickup. My trailer has a GVWR of 5,855 lbs. Full loaded with water and supplies it weighs in at 5,200 lbs. I carry extra food and supplies in the bed of my pickup that totals to 300 pounds. I am deciding between to 6,000 lb. and the 10,000 lb. Some folks tell me to go with the 10,000 pounder as a safety margin considering the weight in the bed of the truck, 36 gallons of fuel and two passengers. Other folks tell me that a 10,000 lbs rated hitch can create a problem during an emergency maneuver on the highway. Anyone out there with some comments for me?

[Route66Cruisers]

Great information from everyone. I enjoy reading the posts and expanding my knowledge about towing. I value all of your comments and opinions.

Mike

[atreis]

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.

Not necessarily... The frame for my lightweight trailer is rated for 14,000 lbs (not a typo, and I've no idea why they used a frame with such a high weight rating). It's stamped on the tongue. Other trailers are different though.

[TomG2]

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.

[Desert_Captain]

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.

I have yet to read anything here that says sales quantity has anything to do with quality. What I said was that sales indicate what consumers are buying and since most folks buy what they need, (often with the assistance of Forums like this one where opinions vary), the product, in this case WDH, that sells the most best fills that need. The smaller lighter WDH's only work on the smaller rigs. The middle of the road WDH (and overwhelming sales leader), is the 10,000/1,000# models as they work well with the widest range of TT/TV's.

When it comes to towing will the 600# WDH work for the OP, you betcha, just like P rated tires will work but LT's will work better. :C

[TomG2]

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.

[Desert_Captain]

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

[TomG2]

All I know is that when I traded 800 pound bars for 600 pound bars with a tongue weight of plus or minus 600 pounds, my towing experience improved. The ride was smoother and the harshness of some highway bumps was lessened. If 1,000 pound bars are recommended for 400 pound tongue weight, why not use 1,200, that would only be a few percent more (300% versus 250%) of design strength.

[RWDIII]

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

Yes,and with the TC have more range and go down 4wd roads with ease.
next year hope to explore the Mojave road.

[APT]

The EQ 1000 pound bars are designed for 400-1000 pounds of TW. That's what I recommend.

[YamaDooed]

I currently am tug'n a wet 5600# trailer with a E2 600/6000 connected to a Gen 1 Tundra 4.7. No sway and no sweat...

[Ron_Gratz]

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"?

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.

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.

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#"?

Ron

[Desert_Captain]

Ron Gratz wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
It just makes no sense whatsoever to be near or at the maximum of anything. The cost differential between the two is a joke. The difference in ride and handling is also insignificant. What possible advantage is there to going with the lighter/weaker WDH?---

Based on this "logic" --

I guess Progress Mfg. should drop the 400, 600, 1000, and 1200# Equal-i-zer hitches and sell only the 1400/14000# model.

It's gotta be cheaper to manufacture and sell only one model versus five.

Ron

Ron, did you read my post? As far as your analogy, well that dog just won't hunt. What is the advantage of pushing things to their maximum limits? :h (Psst, this is the part where you actually answer my question). I merely pointed out that the cost and performance are a wash so why go with less and push the limits. You might want to address these issues as they are relevant to the discussion at hand.

The majority of folks out there do very well with the 10,000# WDH as it fits the needs without compromise of most folks pulling a TT between 18 and 30'. 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? :R

[Route66Cruisers]

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

[Ron_Gratz]

Desert Captain wrote:
It just makes no sense whatsoever to be near or at the maximum of anything. The cost differential between the two is a joke. The difference in ride and handling is also insignificant. What possible advantage is there to going with the lighter/weaker WDH?---

Based on this "logic" --

I guess Progress Mfg. should drop the 400, 600, 1000, and 1200# Equal-i-zer hitches and sell only the 1400/14000# model.

It's gotta be cheaper to manufacture and sell only one model versus five.

Ron