Equalizer hitch and sway control

[quadrider]

I have driven class a but this will be my first time pulling an RV trailer. I have a ram 1500 and I’m looking at getting a grand design momentum 21g. Looking for recommendations on what is a good set up. Is there an all-in-one unit or do I need two separate units and what do you recommend? I figured I’d see what people are using and then start my research from there on where to get it and how to set it up properly. Thank you for your help.

 

[gwinger]

I have driven class a but this will be my first time pulling an RV trailer. I have a ram 1500 and I’m looking at getting a grand design momentum 21g. Looking for recommendations on what is a good set up. Is there an all-in-one unit or do I need two separate units and what do you recommend? I figured I’d see what people are using and then start my research from there on where to get it and how to set it up properly. Thank you for your help.

The Equalizer has built in sway control, no need for a separate piece.
One advantage is you can back up without worrying about the sway control binding.
I replaced a regular bar and chain with separate sway and the difference was amazing. Nothing to adjust.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

That's an 11,000 lb GVWR trailer - pretty heavy for a 1500-class truck. Are you sure it's within the Ram's towing and payload capacity? Tongue weight is going to be 1100+ lbs and you need to handle that plus passengers & gear within the Ram's payload rating.

But to answer your question, Equal-I-Zer or Fastway E2 are good choices, but so are Curt TruTrack and Reese Straitline (Dual Cam). Won't go wrong with any of those.

 

[Kirk]

Towing it with a 1500 series truck may be possible but it will not be much fun and will get really challenging if you experience a strong, gusty crosswind. At 27' long it will be a lot of length as well as the weight. Is your truck a crew cab? The added length would help some.

 

[rcflyer-XRD]

B&W Hitch

My renter uses this B&W unit and it works great. Very easy to setup and the amount of distribution is very easy to adjust.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

We love our Andersen WDH:

https://andersenhitches.com/product/weight-distribution-hitch/

which is a reasonably priced and relatively light weight WDH that also provides anti-sway functionality and which doesn't need to be disconnected when backing up. We also built a calculator for it to reduce our need for going to certified scales to determine the axle loads, tongue weight, front axle load restoration and tongue weight/trailer weight ratio to confirm not exceeding any limits and ensure safe towing.

Andersen WDH Calculator :: Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch Software :: Borst Engineering & Construction LLC

We use this Andersen WDH calculator in conjunction with our Casita trailer weight and balance calculator:

Casita Trailer Weight & Balance Calculator Software :: Borst Engineering & Construction LLC

Our 17 feet, 2480 pound Casita trailer and Honda Ridgeline tow vehicle were specifically selected to enable to getting 23MPG and travel comfortably since we travel long distances...like from Southern Oregon to Costa Rica annually.

 

[quadrider]

Thanks for all the replies on the WDH I will start looking into the ones that have been suggested so far.

As for the ram 1500 and trailer yes the ram is a crew cab and it has the option 6’ 4” box. The truck has aftermarket heavy duty springs and control arms and airbags. My research on the trailer shows the dry weight at 6400 pounds and the full max load of the trailer at 10,000 pounds. The trailer shows 900 pound dry tongue weight and research has suggested the weight could range anywhere from 1000 to 1300 pounds loaded. My truck has 1500 lb payload and with me, accessories, and gear I'm at 600lbs leaving 900 lbs. most info puts the tongue weight around 1100 pounds. I will likely be around 200 lbs over payload and i can tweak that number and get it lower like removing the spare on the truck if need it. I will do most of my driving with the tanks empty and my gear comes around 1100 pounds so I figured the trailer’s gonna weigh around 7500 pounds and I’ll have to see where my tongue weight ends up. If I don’t like the way, the truck handles or tow I will probably end up trading in my current RAM thats worth around 35000 for something older in a three-quarter or 1 ton.

 

[quadrider]

That's an 11,000 lb GVWR trailer - pretty heavy for a 1500-class truck. Are you sure it's within the Ram's towing and payload capacity? Tongue weight is going to be 1100+ lbs and you need to handle that plus passengers & gear within the Ram's payload rating.

But to answer your question, Equal-I-Zer or Fastway E2 are good choices, but so are Curt TruTrack and Reese Straitline (Dual Cam). Won't go wrong with any of those.

Looking at the Fast Way, E2 the 12,000 pound hitch shows a 1200 pound tongue weight. This would be the one i need correct.

Also if my trailer weighs in at 9000 lbs fully loaded what is the minimum weight need it on the tongue for safe towing.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

The Tongue Weight / Trailer Weight should be made equal to 10-15%. So for a 9,000 pound trailer, you should set your tongue weight between 900 and 1,350 pounds. By "set", I mean load and balance your trailer so as to achieve this.

What is your truck maximum allowed Tongue Weight? Staying below 80% of this maximum limit is generally recommended to provide safety margin. So if your maximum tongue weight limit is 1,200 pounds, you probably shouldn't intentionally exceed 960 pounds for your tongue weight. A tongue weight scale is useful and going to certified scales to confirm you are not exceeding any other limits is mandatory if you want to live long and prosper...

I know nothing about Fast Way WDHs, so can't help you there.

 

[CharlesinGA]

RAM trucks tend to have very low payload ratings. An 11,000 lb trailer is going to have a tongue weight of at least 1100 lbs and more likely closer to 1450 lbs. I'm betting your RAM has a payload less than the tongue weight of the trailer. Its not all about weight. 1500 trucks have less braking capacity, less engine and transmission cooling capacity, in many cases P rated tires, and a whole host of "car like" features that make them unsuitable for larger trailers. A 1500 series truck is much more suited to a trailer that is no more than 24-25 ft long and having a GVWR of no more than about 7500 lbs.

Of all the hitches Gary suggested, the Reese Strait Line dual cam is probably the best, short of a Hensley or Propride, in keeping the trailer straight behind the truck.

You REALLY need a 3/4 ton truck or better. Even some of the later model 3/4 RAMS have payloads that are somewhat limited, depending on what options the truck has.

Charles

 

[CharlesinGA]

Thanks for all the replies on the WDH I will start looking into the ones that have been suggested so far.

As for the ram 1500 and trailer yes the ram is a crew cab and it has the option 6’ 4” box. The truck has aftermarket heavy duty springs and control arms and airbags. My research on the trailer shows the dry weight at 6400 pounds and the full max load of the trailer at 10,000 pounds. The trailer shows 900 pound dry tongue weight and research has suggested the weight could range anywhere from 1000 to 1300 pounds loaded. My truck has 1500 lb payload and with me, accessories, and gear I'm at 600lbs leaving 900 lbs. most info puts the tongue weight around 1100 pounds. I will likely be around 200 lbs over payload and i can tweak that number and get it lower like removing the spare on the truck if need it. I will do most of my driving with the tanks empty and my gear comes around 1100 pounds so I figured the trailer’s gonna weigh around 7500 pounds and I’ll have to see where my tongue weight ends up. If I don’t like the way, the truck handles or tow I will probably end up trading in my current RAM thats worth around 35000 for something older in a three-quarter or 1 ton.

Some of your numbers are a lot of wishing and hopeful thinking. Rare is it that a trailer has a dry weight as low as what is published. Try adding batteries, propane, water (even just enough to travel with, and that water includes the water heater if a tank type), and the fact the manufacturer simply fudged on the dry weight as a selling point. Oh, and don't forget the 100lb of hitch that takes up payload also.

Charles

 

[quadrider]

The Tongue Weight / Trailer Weight should be made equal to 10-15%. So for a 9,000 pound trailer, you should set your tongue weight between 900 and 1,350 pounds. By "set", I mean load and balance your trailer so as to achieve this.

What is your truck maximum allowed Tongue Weight? Staying below 80% of this maximum limit is generally recommended to provide safety margin. So if your maximum tongue weight limit is 1,200 pounds, you probably shouldn't intentionally exceed 960 pounds for your tongue weight. A tongue weight scale is useful and going to certified scales to confirm you are not exceeding any other limits is mandatory if you want to live long and prosper...

I know nothing about Fast Way WDHs, so can't help you there.

Currently the truck has a class 4 hitch. On the Internet says this hitch is rated to 10,000 pounds with a 1000 pound tongue weight and when using weight distribution you can do 12,000 pounds and 1200 pound tongue weight. I could switch it out to a class 5 hitch. My goal was to try and achieve between 1000 and 1100 lbs tongue weight and hopefully I can get it closer to 1000 lbs.

 

[CharlesinGA]

You didn't say what year RAM. On RAM trucks with a factory hitch, there is no "switching out hitches" as the receiver is part of the rear crossmember of the frame. If the truck came without a factory receiver and a receiver hitch was added, then yes, it may be possible to upgrade. That rear crossmember is also the support for the bumper.

I know hitch ratings have been upped with the fourth gen and fifth gen trucks. My 2003 (third generation) 2500 Cummins has a factory Class IV receiver, and requires weight distribution when tongue weight exceeds 350 lbs and the tongue weight is limited to 1000 lbs max

Charles

 

[Sunnyfalls]

While some WDHs can reduce the tongue weight when actually in use, under no circumstances should you ever exceed your 1000 pound tongue weight limit because of this. Just exceeding the tongue weight limit when hitching and unhitching can damage the hitch which can then result in failure while towing with the WDH in use.

I think Charles and others are giving you good advice. You are pushing too many of your current truck limits. The payload limit and rear axle load limit are typically what will ultimately limit you.

 

[quadrider]

Some of your numbers are a lot of wishing and hopeful thinking. Rare is it that a trailer has a dry weight as low as what is published. Try adding batteries, propane, water (even just enough to travel with, and that water includes the water heater if a tank type), and the fact the manufacturer simply fudged on the dry weight as a selling point. Oh, and don't forget the 100lb of hitch that takes up payload also.

Charles

 

[CharlesinGA]

I do see that this is a toy hauler, which explains a good part of the high gross weight, and also the high dry weight, as the frame, floor, etc has to be heavier. If you are not hauling toys, this trailer will probably have a rather high tongue weight as it is designed to be loaded with toys and still have a proper tongue weight. The axles are set back somewhat from a normal travel trailer.

Charles

 

[quadrider]

Im not going to debate if a 1500 can tow a large trailer near its max. I have read hundreds of post that say yes it can no problem and the same amount of post that say no it cant.
Fact is I'm most likely buying the grand design momentum 21g toy hauler. It fits all my requirements. I also already own a 4th gen ram 1500. I am going to tow this trailer with that truck hopefully with in the max numbers allowed and see how it handles. If the truck has any issues or feel unsafe i will sell my truck and buy a older or higher mileage 2500 or 3500.
Please use the numbers I provided and if they are wrong please let me know where i made the mistake

Class 4 hitch shows 10,000 lb tow and 1000 lb tongue it also states when using weight distribution on class 4 hitch tow is 12,000 lb and 1200 tongue. I don’t think my tongue weight will exceed 1100 but who knows I will weigh to verify when empty and full

4th gen ram 1500 shows my ram can tow 10,200 lbs and has a payload of 1503 lbs. they say they allow for 150 lb driver.
I don't weigh 150 so
Ad 100 lb extra for driver
100 lb for the tonneau cover ( shows 80 for bakflip mx4)
100 lb running boards ( also shows 80 lbs dealer)
100 lb hitch (shows 70 lbs for class 5) and i will need to check if my hitch is factory which i wouldn't count weight
100 lb weight difference for rear suspension upgrades
100 lb for wd hitch fastway e2 shows 50lbs
Total 600 lbs max could be lower
Leaving me with 900 lbs for payload
Yes rv manufacturers like to lie
Trailer publish 6400 lb dry weight max load of 10,000 lbs
900 lb dry tongue weight
I will check the sticker on the trailer for the dry weight and what it includes plus weigh it. Maybe the. Dealer has a tongue scale.
My rv gear weighs 800 lbs and im hoping to bring my toy of 600 lbs
Trailer will weight 7800 lbs for most of the towing and i will fill and empty tanks close to the destination. Trailer will be around 9000 lbs with tanks full
The only number im over with is payload by 200 lbs and if the factory hitch is built in and my accessories weights are actually what they are. I’ll actually be just at payload on this number too. But i will verify by weighing the truck.
So far I looked at the Fast Way, E2 but I am going to look at the other hitches everybody recommend it thank you

 

[richclover]

Im not going to debate if a 1500 can tow a large trailer near its max. I have read hundreds of post that say yes it can no problem and the same amount of post that say no it cant.
Fact is I'm most likely buying the grand design momentum 21g toy hauler. It fits all my requirements. I also already own a 4th gen ram 1500. I am going to tow this trailer with that truck hopefully with in the max numbers allowed and see how it handles. If the truck has any issues or feel unsafe i will sell my truck and buy a older or higher mileage 2500 or 3500.
Please use the numbers I provided and if they are wrong please let me know where i made the mistake

Class 4 hitch shows 10,000 lb tow and 1000 lb tongue it also states when using weight distribution on class 4 hitch tow is 12,000 lb and 1200 tongue. I don’t think my tongue weight will exceed 1100 but who knows I will weigh to verify when empty and full

4th gen ram 1500 shows my ram can tow 10,200 lbs and has a payload of 1503 lbs. they say they allow for 150 lb driver.
I don't weigh 150 so
Ad 100 lb extra for driver
100 lb for the tonneau cover ( shows 80 for bakflip mx4)
100 lb running boards ( also shows 80 lbs dealer)
100 lb hitch (shows 70 lbs for class 5) and i will need to check if my hitch is factory which i wouldn't count weight
100 lb weight difference for rear suspension upgrades
100 lb for wd hitch fastway e2 shows 50lbs
Total 600 lbs max could be lower
Leaving me with 900 lbs for payload
Yes rv manufacturers like to lie
Trailer publish 6400 lb dry weight max load of 10,000 lbs
900 lb dry tongue weight
I will check the sticker on the trailer for the dry weight and what it includes plus weigh it. Maybe the. Dealer has a tongue scale.
My rv gear weighs 800 lbs and im hoping to bring my toy of 600 lbs
Trailer will weight 7800 lbs for most of the towing and i will fill and empty tanks close to the destination. Trailer will be around 9000 lbs with tanks full
The only number im over with is payload by 200 lbs and if the factory hitch is built in and my accessories weights are actually what they are. I’ll actually be just at payload on this number too. But i will verify by weighing the truck.
So far I looked at the Fast Way, E2 but I am going to look at the other hitches everybody recommend it thank you

I pulled a 12,000 lb 5’er with a Ram Cummins 2500HD. Pin weight, on the axle, was 3000 lbs. I knew I was a couple of hundred pounds over payload, but well within RAWR, tire and wheel load limits. You’ll need to check those numbers for your 1500.

I weighed my rig on a Flying J Cat scale. The truck, loaded as usual, by itself, and then hooked up to the camper loaded for travel. Did the math. That’s the only way you’ll know what you actually have.

Safe travels and have fun!

 

[quadrider]

Thanks for the info. I will double check my RAWR number. I’m pretty sure that number will be good as I’m only 200 pounds over pay load at worst case scenario. I will check what my tire ratings are because I have no idea on that one.
Once I get my trailer, we have a scale here close to my house about 10 km away That is open 24 hours. I will end up going there late at night when nobody’s around so I can play around and get readings with the RV full and empty and with the toy in and toy out