Late last fall I purchased a new travel trailer (2014 Puma 32DBKS). Dry weight roughly 8,700 with 2,000 cargo...so gross weight of about 10,700. Total length from hitch to bumper is 36'. Tongue weight close to 1,000.My previous camper hada gross weight of about 8,000 and was 29 feet.The hitch I have is a Equal-i-zer hitch, which is 1000 tongue/10,000 pound tow capacity. It has no sway control, but does have a spot to mount a small ball and to connect a sway control arm of some sort to trailer. The ball is rated at 10,000.I guess my question is, do I need to replace my hitch for a higher capacity or will the one I have work...even though my trailer is heavier than what it says.I am debating if I should purchased a whole new WD hitch with built in sway control or if I can keep the existing hitch and purchase a sway control attachment.What are your thoughts?Thanks for your help.Nick

Go for a new hitch....and I doubt to actually have an Equal-i-zer brand hitch if, as you say, it has no sway control... you probably have a generic equalizer.Simple friction bar sway control is really not suited for a 36 footer.You new rig will most likely have a loaded tongue weight far above 1000 lbs....and welcome to the Forum.

Thanks! This whole trailering weight stuff is confusing...for me at least. Probably like a lot of people, I just want to hook up and go! :)I'll double check, but I'm pretty sure it is an Equal-i-zer (i think it is like 20 years old). I've been wrong before. It's got a spot on the hitch for a small ball connector.I've looked at Blue Ox hitches, but all i've seen is 10,000#. I'd have to call and find out. Besides, pretty spending...but I think they all are.For a decent wd hitch with sway control, what would you recommend?

Hi,You should really check the trailer and truck weight, then unhitch and check just the truck weight. My guess is that the hitch is way over 1,000 pounds, perhaps as much as 1,300 pounds. ETrailer.comhttp://blueox.com/p-1181-swaypro.aspxFred.

Check out this hitch too.http://www.propridehitch.com/products/ProPride-3P-Trailer-Sway-Control-Hitch-.html It is supposed to prevent sway. Fred.

What is you tow vehicle?Knowing nothing (according to my wife), I'd recommend either a true Equal-i-zer Brand hitch or my choice, a Reese Dual Cam.If you want to go whole hog and spend a bunch of $$$, look at Hensley.

TT-Correct Hitch to use | Good Sam Community

jerem0621
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2014
Here is some recreational reading from a fellow forum member...

1500 Ram vs 8500 lb TT

Then the same forum member posted This a few weeks ago.

Now, this fella is a good forum member, but it illustrates what you may be looking at. He had a capable half ton but after careful analysis came to the conclusion that he needed a 3/4 ton truck.

With a 10k lb trailer I would really want a dually, that's just me though.

Thanks,

Jeremiah
VegasScotty
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
SimpleMan78 wrote:
Question on weighing...

Without disconnecting the trailer, can I accurately determine trailer, tongue and combined weight? I want to use a truck scale where I work but don't want to take the time to unhook because it is used quite a bit.

My thought is:
1) Pull pickup onto scale and get the weight.
2) pull truck and trailer onto scale and get weight
3) pull only trailer on scale and get weight (prob don't need to do this)
4) go home and disconnect trailer and go back and weigh truck

To determine tongue weight, take #1 and subtract #4? Would that give me a good estimate?

Yes.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2014
Let us know how you like the Blue Ox Pro; they have a big following on this forum. Seems like a very good setup.
SimpleMan78
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Question on weighing...

Without disconnecting the trailer, can I accurately determine trailer, tongue and combined weight? I want to use a truck scale where I work but don't want to take the time to unhook because it is used quite a bit.

My thought is:
1) Pull pickup onto scale and get the weight.
2) pull truck and trailer onto scale and get weight
3) pull only trailer on scale and get weight (prob don't need to do this)
4) go home and disconnect trailer and go back and weigh truck

To determine tongue weight, take #1 and subtract #4? Would that give me a good estimate?
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
SimpleMan78 wrote:
Thanks for all the responses. I guess I didn't think this would be such a hot topic :)

I was wrong on the current hitch...it's a Reese, no equa-I-zer. Not sure why I had the 2 mixed up.

Going with the blue ox 1500.

Switched my pickup. Getting a gas guzzler. New camper and pickup almost as much as my house...lol

Thanks for the info...I learned a lot.

Both very good decisions
APT
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
You'll love the new 2500!. I love mine 6.0L, depite down a little compared to the competition it's strong, reliable and not too bad on fuel.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jun 28, 2014
Dannyabear1 wrote:
And the 6.2 is an all aluminum engine that won't hold up to towing.

If I remember corrrectly, they said the same thing about the Duramax and it is still around and going strong.
Barney
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
Dannyabear1 wrote:
And the 6.2 is an all aluminum engine that won't hold up to towing.

source? proof or what?
I'm Just trying to learn.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
SimpleMan
You got some good advice and you made some good choices that you will appreciate down the road.

As far as going with a gas guzzler (2500), ALL pick-up towing 36 foot trailers are gas guzzzlers.
Dannyabear1
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
And the 6.2 is an all aluminum engine that won't hold up to towing.

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