Hitch Spring Weight on WDH (Reese vs. Equal-i-zer)

[AndyPenny]

Since the Reese "Straight-Line" Hitch and the Equal-i-zer Hitch are so close in performance and user satisfaction, I'm wondering if I should choose based on which one comes closest in tongue weight rating to my trailer's tongue weight (I've read that you don't want the WD springs to be overly stiff, and should therefore match hitch weight rating to your trailer's weight as closely as possible). My 24' Airstream Argosy, when loaded, has an approx. tongue weight of 650lbs. The closest match with Reese is the 800lb. version of the "Straight-Line" while the closest match with Equal-i-zer is the 1000lb. version of their hitch. Should I choose the Reese based on weight rating?

[Phil Gobie]

There are other considerations other than the trailer tongue weight. The heaver the truck or how stiff the suspension and the weight behind the rear axle need to be taken into account also. I use a 600lb set when the truck is light and a 1200 lb set when I load up the back. The softer and lighter the TV the more spring you may need to distribute more to the front to the TV

[dwightdi]

I do not think that is quite right in my opinion and experience. The amount of weight transfer is determined by how hard you pull up on the bars when the truck has been returned to being level. You could obtain the same weight transfer by either set of bars. If you follow the instructions that come with the Reese hitch you will not be wrong. Remember you are trying to transfer one half of the tongue weight from the back wheels of the TV to the front wheels so the truck will maintain a nuetral attitudes. Reese rates their WD bars by the tongue weight. I use 1000 pound bars for my 31 footer when it has a tonque weight of approximately 800 lbs and I get an acceptable amount of deflection in the bars so they will always stay in contact with the cams even when going over bumps in the road. Lighter weight rated bars would have to be pulled up further and deflect further to accomplish the same amount of weight transfer.

[markdoane]

Andy,

I think the closest match would be the 600# Strait-Line hitch. Which would I choose? If your tow vehicle is a SUV, sedan, or 1/2 ton truck I would go higher (800#), if it's a 3/4 ton I would go lighter (600#).

There may not be any real difference between 600# bars and 800# bars.

[Phil Gobie]

I did not come up with the idea of two sets of torsion bars. I talked to Reese Tec support on two occasions and this was there recommendation. I also talked to Andy from Inland who you may want to discus the issue with. In any case I think you will find that conceptional the different bar ratings are available for a reason. They are defiantly adjustable within a range by changing the # of links dropped but a 1200 lb set will transfer more than a 600 lb set! I carry motorcycles and scooters in my 1500 Avalanche with my 1977/31. This rig is at the limit and the lighter the TV in relation to the load the more important the weight distribution will be. Depending on how I am loaded I switch back and forth. If your load remains the same a set rated just higher than your tongue weight is probably appropriate. Although a 3500 truck or a 1500 truck with the same trailer would use heaver bars on the lighter TV a nd less with the 3500.