Spring Bar wt questions

[jimbaze]

Have small 22' trailer with GVWR of 5k.. GAWR of 2500... tongue wt 240. Pulling the trailer with Chevy 2002 1500 van .

Using my Dads old equalizer hitch purchased in mid 80's. Also has sway bar mount with sway bars. Only identifier I see is an E with a circle around it. Looks like a round bar Husky.

One spring bar retainer is sprung . And the round spring bars are 7500lb max.

1. Should I get a spring bar in lighter range .. 4000lbs range?

2. Will the 7500lb bars harm anything in my current system? I have driven with it and dont notice any significant problems with ride. Set it loose at 7 links. WHat would I experience with lighter spring bars?

3. On of the hitch bar retainers is sprung. Its mounted with what looks like a rivet but from vendor diagrams, I see that it is some kind of widely spaced spiral thread. How is that mounting screw removed... vice grip?

[cpaharley2008]

If my tongue weight was that low I would not use w/d set up.

[Still_Searchin_]

Most recomendations for tongue weight for stable towing are 10-15% of trailers loaded weight, and most folks load their rigs to the GVWR if not beyond. We have a 7500# trailer with 1200# distribution bars and it tows without sway with the combo we have. 1000# bars should work fine for you, but I have no experience with WAY stiffer bars and if it ain't broke, I wouldn't fix it!

[RinconVTR]

Wow. No replies here? Well, I will!

At a 240ish tongue weight, why are you using a WDH at all?!?! Get rid of it! You dont need it!

If you must use one for some unknown reason, then yes, you need lighter bars. That should be obvious.