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?

[Desert_Captain]

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? No room to load heavy for a particular trip, simply no room to work. You run on the edge eventually you get cut. :S

[Ron_Gratz]

Chuck&Gail wrote:
GVWR = 5855#. Desired tongue weight is 13% to 15% of TT GVWR, thus 761# to 878#. The 600# bars are TOO SMALL! Get the 1000# bars (10k hitch).

WDH selection should be based on tongue weight consistent with trailer length and the actual loaded weight when known, or on a reasonable estimate when actual is not known.

The OP wrote:
---Full loaded with water and supplies it weighs in at 5,200 lbs.---

For a trailer of that length, a tongue weight of 625# (5200*12%) is plenty.

IMO, a 600# WDH is a better match than a 1000# WDH.

Ron

[Chuck_Gail]

GVWR = 5855#. Desired tongue weight is 13% to 15% of TT GVWR, thus 761# to 878#. The 600# bars are TOO SMALL! Get the 1000# bars (10k hitch).

[qtla9111]

I tow a Funfinder 230DS and use an EazLift 1000 (10,000 lb). Also used it on my Funfinder 189FBR. Works great.

[Desert_Captain]

I tow a 5K# TT with the Reese 10,000# and single anti sway bar. I cannot imagine going with anything smaller as it tows like a dream. No sway whatsoever or anything else to create a white knuckle moment in 3 years and it rides real nice. :B

[RWDIII]

I had a FF 189 Fbr for 6 yrs and about 12500 miles towed before I downsized to a TC.On the old fun finder forum there was concern with HD bars,that if hitched
to tight,the bars, that the frame could be bent.
I would go with 600lb bars.If you reply,state your trucks GVW and payload.I never had a problem with towing with the 7200GVW towpackage with 3.73
Happy trails
Semper FI
Then


NOW

[TomG2]

Since Ford reduced their requirement for restoring front axle weight lost after hitching up and your low tongue weight, I would agree with Ron that a 10 k hitch would be excessive. The 600# hitch will be more compliant and comfortable when towing. The hitch manufacturers make a variety of bars for good reason. They would love to build and stock only 1,200# bars if they were right for everyone.

[atreis]

I've used a 10K on my lightweight trailer for 5 years now. It works great.

[rexlion]

I faced the same question before I bought my Equal-i-zer, so I called Progress Mfg and asked. They said it would not cause any ill effects to go bigger. So I got the 1k lb bars instead of the 600 lb. Worked fine for my 4000 lb Rockwood at the time.

[Ron_Gratz]

Route66Cruisers wrote:
---My trailer has a GVWR of 5,855 lbs. Full loaded with water and supplies it weighs in at 5,200 lbs.---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.---

1) Your trailer probably has a tongue weight close to 600#.
.
2) Your WDH does not need to compensate for occupants, fuel, cargo, etc carried in the TV.

3) IMO, a WDH rated for 1000# TW would be unnecessarily stiff for your trailer.

I would opt for the 600# hitch.

Ron

[Route66Cruisers]

Very nice! A 10K keeps looking better. Have a nice trip.

Mike & Kathy

[Tiggs]

I purchased the 10K Equalizer for my FunFinder X210WBS and love it. I haven't experienced sway from side wind or tractor trailer yet and it tows like a dream. In fact, I just hooked it up for a 500+ mile trip down to NC tomorrow.

Carolyn

[Route66Cruisers]

Mitch,

I appreciate your feedback. The 10,000K model is making more sense to me now that I am considering the tension adjustment.

[MitchF150]

While I don't have an EQ hitch setup, it's just a standard EAZ Lift WD setup, but the hitch head is rated for 14k lbs and I'm running #1000 bars for a #5000 GVWR TT...

What are your bar ratings for each hitch head rating? My guess is the 10k probably has #1000 or #1200 bars and the 6k probably has #600 or #800 bars..

Considering how the EQ works compared to a standard WD setup, there could be some truth to that statement you heard... Then again, you can adjust the tension on an EQ just as I can on my EAZ Lift, so there you go... 🙂

Mitch