Need help - Stabilizing hitch for AS 25FB

[Talon405]

Good morning everyone. I just purchased a 2015 25 FB and pick it up next Friday. My TV is a 2015 Ram 1500 Limited. I am brand new to the AS world and have no idea what stabilizing hitch to get. Can someone please advise?
Thanks Al

[SteveH]

They are all good, and with the exception of the $3K +,- pivot point projection Hensley and ProPride, they all work basically the same. Hitches seem to be an explosive topic on here, and don't be surprised if an argument starts over which is better.

I will only say you need to get the proper size hitch (in weight rating) for your trailer, and going over sized is bad, especially with the square bar type hitches. The setup is way more important than the brand of hitch you get, so enlist some help from an experienced person for the setup.

Good luck, have fun, and welcome to the forum.

[silverlabs]

I will second Steve's comments that what is most important is proper set up. On my 25FC i used an Equalizer hitch and it performed very well. It will squeak and crack a little bit, so you won't make a quiet exit in the early morning but it performs well. On my 28 I went to a ProPride and love it. I need to sell the Equalizer but haven't tried to yet. Don't think I could get it to you by Friday. There are several threads here on the forum if you look under the Towing and Hitches thread. Best of luck and enjoy your new Airstream.

[HowieE]

Yes do your homework. Historically WD hitches were designed with weight transfer as the principle function and sway control as a secondary function. That was necessary when most RV s were pulled by softly sprung cars and there was a need to get the front end of the car back down to where the driver could see over the hood. Currently the majority of RVs are towed with some from of truck, almost all of which have significantly stronger spring sets.

Many of us that have towed having used the full range of TV, 1957 VW dung buggy to 2500 diesels, now look at sway control as the more important function of our hitch. That experience history caused me to change to the Andersen system 3 years ago. It was designed as a new approach to the current needs and it does the job.

What ever you decide let me add one more comment. 90%+ of the dealer out there have no idea in the world as how to set up a WD system correctly. To do it right it takes far more time than they are willing to spend and thus many use some urban myth that a given number of chain links is the answer.

I am sure many more will jump in on this so sit back for a bit and take it in.

[ckottum]

We have a 25' Flying Cloud and Ram 1500, have used the Equal-I-Zer and ProPride hitches. They both work well to distribute the hitch weight of the Airstream.

The greatest everyday difference is on interstate highways with heavy sidewinds, or when semi's pass. Our pickup and trailer were moved around by the buffeting air with Equalizer, barely noticeable with the ProPride. That driving comfort makes for a relaxed day of travel; the substantial price difference an excellent buy.

cheryl

[Landrum]

I'm sure your Airstream dealer sells at least one brand of hitches. You might start your search with that brand since they can install it for you. I'm not suggesting you get whatever hitch they sell, but research that brand first and see if it sounds/looks good. There would be an obvious convenience to getting the hitch from them (but be prepared to fine tune the hitch setup yourself at home).


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[KJRitchie]

When I bought my 2008 Classic 25fb preowned from the dealer they installed the Equalizer with 1000lb bars. I've added the bracket jackets to the A frame brackets and keeping the hitch head moving parts lubed reduces the noise. I negotiated the WDH with the deal. I tow with a 2010 Tundra and the hitch has worked well so far. I haven't experienced any issues with semis passing me using my hitch but I only drive 60mph. I haven't been towing in very strong crosswinds either.

I'm a little payload restricted to afford the extra weight of a Propride/Hensely hitch solution.

Kelvin

[Mrjkq]

Talon, I have the same 1500 RAM & 25ft Airstream (on order). I plan to use the Equalizer 10K WD Hitch. I had an Equalizer a few years ago on a different trailer & liked it a lot, it does the job quite well and it's very easy to attach & detach.

[NWRVR]

Talon, I picked up a 2014 International Serenity 25FB from our Portland dealer and they installed a Blue Ox WD/Sway Pro. My TV is a 2008 Range Rover so I am close to maximum capacity. We have only 600 miles so far and very satisfied with the tow stability.

Go to the Towing & Hitches threads, there is a ton of information and opinions on hitches, WD and sway control. Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new AS!

[kscherzi]

The 25FB's are a bit tongue heavy. You'll want to add a couple hundred lbs to the Airstream factory spec weight to account loaded for camping. Then add in weight of the hitch. You may find your up against your trucks factory receiver weight limit. This issue drove my decision. I got an equalizer hitch.

[gypsydad]

As noted, there are some very lengthy, emotionally charged, threads on this subject. We have had 3 25' AS over past 7 years...hitches have included Reese, Equalizer, and replaced our Equalizer with a BlueOx on our 08' 25 Safari, when it broke during a trip; that was all the dealer had in stock. Last year, we purchased a new BlueOx again with the new 2014 FC and have been very happy with our experience. Price was good and no issues. We were able to find best price on Amazon and our service dept. manager matched the price and dealer sales got it installed for no charge. (you might call your service manager and ask if he will price match.) Pulling to/from CA, MT, TX average about 6-7K miles last year.

[Photobum]

I have a 2015 AS 25FB, and I tow it with a F150, using an Equalizer hitch. Just keep it lubed and you will be quite happy....

[dfschultz]

We have a 25' Safari and tow it with a 2015 Silverado 1500 and an Equalizer hitch, seems to work really well. Happy Camping!

[JCWDCW]

A Good Dealer will make sure your equalizer bars are the right capacity. I had trouble with 750 lb bars on my '89 with the Dakota...way too much force to pull the rig up level. They should have been 1000 lb. But I solved the problem with an extra leaf and re-curved springs. So your Ram 1500 should do just fine with any good brand

JCW

[Mrjkq]

I believe that Equalizer 10K hitch I mentioned earlier does come with 1000lb bars. Out of curiosity what is the correct ball size for the 25ft FC?

[DHart]

Our Airstream dealer sells the high-priced brands of hitches, but for our upcoming setup, they are recommending a light weight, modestly-priced Andersen hitch. Our setup is a 2015 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Denali with Duramax/Allison and 2016 Intl. Serenity. They told us that we had minimal weight distribution needs with this truck and that the light weight Andersen hitch would serve very well. Can anyone confirm this for us?

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by DHart

Our Airstream dealer sells the high-priced brands of hitches, but for our upcoming setup, they are recommending a light weight, modestly-priced Andersen hitch. Our setup is a 2015 GMC 3/4 ton Sierra Denali with Duramax/Allison and 2016 Intl. Serenity. They told us that we had minimal weight distribution needs with this truck and that the light weight Andersen hitch would serve very well. Can anyone confirm this for us?

The Andersen hitch is NOT RECOMMENDED, by Andersen, to be used with the coupler that the Airstream is equipped with. Additionally, it will not distribute the tongue weight properly.

Trust me, even though you have a 3/4 ton truck, proper weight distribution WILL improve the handling and the ride.

Get a real weight distribution hitch, and if you want to get one at a good price, I recommend e-trailer.com They will have many hitches at many prices that will distribute 850-1000lbs.

Been thru this many times, and proper weight distribution will improve handling and ride.

[dames7]

I went with the Silent Weight Dist. Hitch "No Sway" 4in Drop/Rise (2 5/16" Ball) for my 2015 25ft. works great and NO noise when you are turning. Wife can hook it up with no problem. www.thehitchstore.com

[Al and Missy]

I have towed a 2001 Safari 25 around 3000 miles using an Equalizer hitch, the 10,000/1000 version, first with an F-150 and now with a Ram 2500. I have spent about 2 or 3 hours each time I set the hitch up for a truck. I have experienced very little "pushing" of the combination when passed by large semis at speeds somewhat greater than mine, the effect was about the same as when driving the truck alone.

I did machine the bars down to make them about 700# bars when I upsized to the Ram 2500 to minimize stress on the trailer, but this should not be an issue for you.

I am very pleased with the performance of the equalizer.

Al

[leedav]

can you back up with the equalizer? installer said don't do it or only a very minor turn while backing.. but I see other boards where they say that's not true..

we were supposed to pick up our new 16' today but hit a few snags.
thanks