Upgrading head and bars only on EQ hitch?

[Mickeyfan0805]

I’m considering upgrading from our current 10k EQ hitch to the 12k version. Nothing is wrong with our current set-up, but a change in TV has me considering the upgrade.

I can upgrade the head and bars for half the cost of the entire system, and my other elements are all in solid shape. Anyone know if this would work?

[trail-explorer]

...On another note, I've never heard of someone downsizing their tow vehicle so they are right at or near the limit of that rig's capabilities...

[trail-explorer]

Selling the individual parts you are replacing is viable, but most people will want the whole kit, or at lease the bars, the head and the shank.

Selling the head and bars might be a tough sell.

I'm just saying this because anything I don't need, I sell it on Craigslist or some other online market place.

[opnspaces]

Glad to hear. They were very responsive to me a few years ago when I had some warranty issues on the square bar sockets.

[bob213]

Glad to see they have changed their ways since I traded up to my current trailer. I had to purchase an entire new hitch. They retain their value pretty well so it wasn't a total loss.

[Mickeyfan0805]

They definitely sell individual parts, both through distributors and directly on their website. You could cobble together an entire system through individual pieces.

FWIW - Much to my surprise, they were actually very affirming of the idea. So long as the shank is sufficiently rated (which it is), there is no problem replacing just the head and the bars. Through Etrailer, the upgrade of the two parts runs $345, compared to nearly $745 for a full system.

Oddly, you can cobble all of the major elements together (shank, brackets, ball, head, bars and pry lever) for $635. What's left after that is hardware, which hardly makes up for the extra $110 for the 'complete' system. It all seems a bit backwards to me!

[Lwiddis]

"They talked about integrity and liability of a pieced together unit."

Absolutely reasonable position.

[bob213]

Last time I checked they did not sell individual parts. (Bars and head) It was all or nothing. They talked about integrity and liability of a pieced together unit. Won't hurt to call and ask.

[Mickeyfan0805]

opnspaces wrote:
I would call the manufacturer and ask them.

If your EQ is an actual Equal-i-zer the manufacturer is very responsive to questions.
Link

I will try, thanks. I highly suspect that I will get the, 'You should buy everything new' response, but we will see!

[Mickeyfan0805]

Lynnmor wrote:
It will "work" but you choose the size of the bars by tongue weight, not the tow vehicle.

I understand, but we are right 'on the line.' We bought the hitch 10 years ago for a hybrid trailer with a much lighter tongue. When we upgraded trailers, 7.5 years ago, our tongue went to right around the 1,000 pound mark, but with an HD Suburban as a tow vehicle, the 1k bars gave me all the tension I ever needed to get it where I wanted it. Moving to an F150, we will be loading right at the truck's payload, and I might want/need a bit more tension to dial in the system.

I won't upgrade until I hook it up and test things out (hopefully in the next month or so, if the weather holds), but I'm considering options if I find they are needed.

[opnspaces]

I would call the manufacturer and ask them.

If your EQ is an actual Equal-i-zer the manufacturer is very responsive to questions.
Link

[Lynnmor]

It will "work" but you choose the size of the bars by tongue weight, not the tow vehicle.