Equalizer Hitch 10,000 or 12,000?

[zackyboy3rs]

I currently have the 1000/10,000 hitch. Our new campers tongue weight is 1160 according to broucher. The yellow sticker states dry weight of 8350 (11300 GVWR).. We will probably max out the weight at 9500 or less.

I am thinking I should move to the 1200/12000 equalizer hitch. All I will need to buy are 2 12000 spring arms. I already have a used 12000 hitch head.

What is the opinion of the group?

Thanks!

[Father_of_Three]

I started with a 12,000 lb hitch when I bought my camper. It was 8,200 lbs dry with a tongue weight of 1,100 lbs or so. I always felt like the hitch was undersized. I have never weighed my tongue but would guess it to be around 1,200 - 1,300 lbs. I did weigh the camper on a trip home from a camping weekend and it sat around 9,500 lbs. I recently upgraded to a 14,000 lb hitch and will say the difference was well worth it. After the initial adjustment I was able to bring the front of the truck back to the exact height as it was unloaded. My rear only sagged 1 inch. It was dead on the money. I could never do that with the 12,000 lb hitch no matter how much tension I put on the bars. After one tow I lowered the brackets because I felt like the trailer was trying to steer my truck due to the friction on the bars. Now it rides perfect. The heavier bars help to reduce the rear end bounce I was getting with the lighter bars.

It looks like your trailer is close to mine when it comes to weight. I would get the 12,000 lb hitch at the very least but would upgrade to the 14,000 lb hitch if you can swing it. I think you'll appreciate the extra weight capacity.

[zackyboy3rs]

I got lucky. I found a set of 12000# bars at a dealer 1 hour from home. $80

[Mickeyfan0805]

zackyboy3rs wrote:
I talked to the techs at Equalizer & he told me I would be ok with the 10000. He said they are good 15% over the max limit.

15% over a 1,000 tongue weight limit is 1,150. You are at 1,160 on the DRY weight of the tongue. I think you are right, I'd go, at least, to the 12k.

[AH64ID]

zackyboy3rs wrote:
I talked to the techs at Equalizer & he told me I would be ok with the 10000. He said they are good 15% over the max limit.

Good to know, it means I can stick with my 12K version.

You will probably be fine with the 12K, the tape measure will tell you if you are getting enough weight transfer.

[zackyboy3rs]

I still feel I should do the 12000

[zackyboy3rs]

I talked to the techs at Equalizer & he told me I would be ok with the 10000. He said they are good 15% over the max limit.

[Mickeyfan0805]

There is a calculator on the Equalizer site that estimates what you would need. They suggest that you need the 1,400 pound bars for a set-up like yours.

[APT]

1160 dry TW will most likely be close to 1300 pounds loaded. 1400 pound bars is what I recommend.

[AH64ID]

I would upgrade, especially since you have the head. You should probably get the 14K setup, but being 1/2 way to a 12K with careful loading you should be fine.

I am considering upgrading to a 14K setup as my tongue weight is just a hair over 1200, but I moved the batteries so I need to re-weigh the tongue.

[TNRIVERSIDE]

I believe that the tongue weight is the most critical part of the selection process. So the 12,000 lbs arms are the way I would go. Call Equalizer and ask them. I have an Equalizer and I had talked to the factory techs. They were very helpful.