Sway bar or Sway Bar & Weight Distribution Hitch

[bleaux_skies]

I have a 2015 GMC Yukon with Max trailering package, rear axle 3.42 ratio, trailer brake controller, max trailer weight rating of 8300#. Online it says the Yukon weighs between 5308 to 5746 lbs.

Picking up a 20', UVW 3180, GVWR 5500 travel trailer Tuesday.

I was going to get an equal-i-zer sway bar and am being told I should get a 6000 # equal-i-zer anti-sway control and weight distribution system.

This is way beyound my knowledge level

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[bleaux_skies]

I got the Equal-i-zer 4 point system and the Winnebego Micro Minnie 1706FB too 🙂 I'm a happy camper........

Pulled well, mirrors are something I may want to improve on and I need to find a place to haul my Honda 2000 generator. I may try the basement, but I'm concerned on whether this will add too much weight in there and to the tongue.

Aww, RVing always something to "figure". Is this why we like it so much? The challenge?

[SoundGuy]

bleaux skies wrote:
I somewhat get the physics of the distribution hitch, it's a woman thing ??, but having to deal with one again was not something I was looking forward to. Hopefully they are easier to use now.

If the overall weight of a WD system is a concern you might want to also consider an Andersen No Sway Hitch which is significantly lighter, 55 lbs total IIRC, and would work really well with your size of trailer.

[SoundGuy]

bleaux skies wrote:
The trailer is a 2017 1706fb micro minnie.

Your 2017 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1706fb's factory dry weight is 2980 lbs so that would suggest it's a single axle, which likewise sugggests that a UVW of 3180 lbs that you detailed in your original post is most likely this particular model's actual stickered dry weight - correct? If so, I'd expect you'd probably be running around 4000 lbs loaded and ready to camp so at 14% that would be ~ 560 lbs gross tongue weight, which is well within the ratings for 600 lb WD spring bars.

[bleaux_skies]

Wow, thanks for the quick helpful replies. I use to use a distribution hitch when I pulled a heavy boat with a 1500 suburban. Way heavy boat, not so heavy tow vehicle.

I somewhat get the physics of the distribution hitch, it's a woman thing ??, but having to deal with one again was not something I was looking forward to. Hopefully they are easier to use now.

The trailer is a 2017 1706fb micro minnie. My hotel on wheels. I don't think the dealer sales blue ox, but I'll look into it.

Thanks again.

[SoundGuy]

bleaux skies wrote:
Picking up a 20', UVW 3180, GVWR 5500 travel trailer Tuesday.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

It's unfortunate you haven't told us the make / model / year of trailer as that's an unusually low UVW for a 20' trailer, unless it's perhaps a single axle model. My own Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS is a dual axle and certainly weighs much more than that, typically runs ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, so I also typically run somewhat over 600 lbs of gross tongue weight. Unless you're confident you'll always be running less than 600 lbs of gross tongue weight with the camper loaded and ready to go you might be better off with the next higher rated Equal-i-zer, the 1,000 / 10,000 lb version. Alternately you might also consider a Blue Ox Sway Pro which is available with 750 lb spring bars. A Blue Ox will also free you from all the squeaking and groaning the Equal-i-zer has become so famous for. Yes, you can mitigate that racket to some extent but regardless everyone in the campground will know you're running an Equal-i-zer. :W

[owenssailor]

The Equal-i-zer 4 point system does both weight distribution and sway control. It is an integrated system.

As well - the adjustment is to get the front end of the truck back down to where the truck manufacturer stipulates. Some it is all the was back down - some it is to take out 1/2 the rise. The rear end is what it is.

[Earl_E]

If you are actually getting the Equal-i-zer brand just give them a call. They will work with you and give you great info. Yes, get both, sway control and equalizer. You need both.

[Passin_Thru]

After you get it, to adjust measure you pickups distance from wheel to fender. When properly adjusted it will measure the same distances - the ammount it sinks when you put the wt on. You want it to come down evenly, front and back. If the front sinks 2 in so should the rear. Do you understand the concept.It will lever wt to the front of your vehicle + keep it from swaying in wind, truck turbulence and if you run off the edge of the road. Takes a little getting used to.

[downtheroad]

bleaux skies wrote:
am being told I should get a 6000 # equal-i-zer anti-sway control and weight distribution system.

This is way beyound my knowledge level

Any guidance would be appreciated.

You have gotten good advice.

[sch911]

Yes absolutely, otherwise the Yukon will squat it won't be pretty...