Need for Equalizer??

[smallfry]

After reading the thread on the Equalizer hitch, I got to wondering if the use of one of those might be advisable for towing a small trailer - my 57' Bubble is pretty little and total weight will be about 2500 lbs once rebuilt. I will be putting some electric brakes on it along with the new axle. Advice?

[Chas]

13 footer!,

Unless you are towing it with a Mini Cooper I doubt you would need anything. What's the tongue weight? I am guessing a couple hundred pounds at the most.

Chas

[overlander64]

Greetings Smallfry!

I would suggest that you check the owner's manual of your tow vehicle. Depending upon the size of your tow vehicle, you may need a weight distributing or load equalizing hitch. Some of the smaller tow vehicles will require a load equalizing hitch for any load more than 2,000 pounds. If you are towing with a 1/2 ton pickup or a sport utility based upon a 1/2 ton or greater chasis, you will likely need only a good weight carrying hitch. In either case, a friction sway control would be a good insurance policy to add to the setup.

Kevin

[Pick]

I agree with overlander64 on the anti sway unit. Short wheelbase, single axle trailer tend to be the most unstable trailers on the road.

[Road Ruler]

smallfry..
Our previous trailer weighed road ready about 2,000 lbs. The hitch weight around 275lbs. When pulling the Coleman the rear of the van would sometimes bottom out on the rubber bumpers from the bounce effect when hitting a good bump in the road. With the 23' A/s, and using the equalizing hitch we never bottom out.
RV dealers do recommend equalizing hitches on some of the larger pop ups. If you are using a stiff sprung tow vehicle it may not be so important. Hope this info helps.

[smallfry]

I should have put in info on the tow vehicle. It's a Toyota Tundra 4WD pickup. The wheelbase is 10.7 ft (128.3 in) and it weighs about 5000+ lbs curb. The rear axle GAWR is 3960 and tongue weight is 700 lbs with a weight carrying hitch. The equalizing hitch limit is1050 and max trailer weight is 7000lbs. The overall total total everything you can think of weight is 11800 lbs. Wow. I can't believe I dragged all that info out. I forgot the question!

[overlander64]

Greetings Smallfry!

You may not need a load equalizing receiver style hitch to meet factory recommendations, but you may need a drop bar of several inches that goes into a receiver hitch in order to get a level towing stance. You will likely need a ball height in the neighborhood of 18" and very few four-wheel-drive trucks of any make will accommodate that height without a dropped draw bar.

I would still suggest a friction sway control as an added insurance policy.

Kevin

[InsideOut]

...but a '57 Bubble is considered 16', not 13', as Airstreams are measured from tip of the tongue to the bumper. Not that it makes too much difference, just wanted to let you know.

Shari

[smallfry]

Thanks for all the info:
OK; a drop draw bar to keep it level.
friction sway bars (I remember those from hitching up 3-point hitches on tractors!
and.....my trailer is 16 feet long, stem to stern. I think I said 13 cuz that's the innards length.
Jo Ann

[Road Ruler]

Hi Jo Ann..

Nice Truck!! Consumer Mag has much praise for the Tundra. Hope you will show a photo of it when you get it hooked up.
I don't think you will need to worry about your truck bottoming out.

[smallfry]

Yes, the truck is pretty good - had one recall on the brakes. I don't think Toyota put on big enough brakes on the 2000 models and I got to admit, they took it back and replaced rotors, discs, drums, calibers, etc., and I wasn't out a dime. the brakes were shuddering a bit coming down steep incline - we have a 7% grade just north of us on Hwy 101 and it's a real brake test. Now they work fine. Other than that, no problems at all. I get about 19+ mpg without the trailer and 13 with it. as they say in the commercieals, I LOVE MY TRUCK. It's my 3rd Toy truck.