Hitches

[m.hony]

good:
1. price
2. easy to hook up
3. good weight distribution/sway control
bad:
1. inside link plates bow
2. cannot get the trailer level while maintaining good weight distribution/sway control
3. I ain't got $2,300 for a ProPride!

[dkottum]

The thing is about the $2300 ProPride and the $700 hitch we bought with or trailer, if we had got the ProPride first it it would been $700 cheaper. That's for the benefit of those looking for their first hitch for their Airstream.

[aftermath]

Fred, as you have probably figured out, there are lots of hitches out there and just as many people who like theirs. Properly set up, most brands can and will do a good job.

Andy is not a fan of the Equalizer especially when using a very heavy duty PU and oversized bars. If you get too rigid, damage can be done to the frames and skins of an Airstream. I respect his experience in this regard but by mitigating some of these factors, an Equalizer is a very decent hitch.

For me it came down to money and ease. Like you, I have a half ton truck towing a 25FB. The suspension of the truck is forgiving and I am using 1K bars and have them dialed in "lightly". I run level and have never had any issues with sway or any of those other things people talk about. I suppose if I did have issues, I would look into a Hensley or a Pro Pride.

What I have works for me. I can hook up on level ground, uneven ground, in the rain, in the dark and in bright sunlight. Actually bright sunlight is more of a challenge. Dropping the hitch on the ball sounded much easier than backing the stinger into the receiver.

If you are planning on moving up in size, you can just buy another hitch. Buying two will still be less than the outlay for the Hensley/Pro Pride.

[Airrogant]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Air'

Airstream doesn't mandate 15% tongue weight, rather recommends 10-15% tongue weight. They do mandate a maximum tongue weight in your Airstream Owners Manual:

Apparently I'm working with old information - that's pretty common. Here is what my manual says on the subject:

"The tongue weight should be in between 10% - 15% of the trailer's total weight, but must not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum recommended hitch weight of the tow vehicle or hitch."

Then to make matters more confusing they explain several paragraphs later in a WARNING:

"The tongue weight should he approximately 10% to 14% of the trailer's total weight. Under no condition should it exceed the hitch rating."

I took the "should be between 10% and 15%" (or is it 14%) to be absolutes. Are you saying that lower or higher tongue-weights are acceptable? I wouldn't mind taking my tongue weight up over 15%. What are the downsides to that?

PS: I apologize for the terrible formatting here. When I cut-and-pasted info. from my electronic AS Owners' Manual something got messed up, and I have wasted too much time already trying to clean this mess up.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by dkottum

The thing is about the $2300 ProPride and the $700 hitch we bought with or trailer, if we had got the ProPride first it it would been $700 cheaper. That's for the benefit of those looking for their first hitch for their Airstream.

Excellent point ... woulda, coulda, shoulda for us, too!

[FKemp0850]

Thanks again to everyone!!

Fred


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums - Fred

[m.hony]

Spilt milk and water under the bridge and all that other, but maybe, one day...