Reese/Draw-Tite Bar Weight

[boutdoors]

Hello All,
I am trying to figure out which bars to get for my Weight Distribution Hitch. Our trailer is 3500# GVWR with a Hitch Weight of 446# maxed out.

There is a single bar 600 TW and 4000 Trailer Weight or the double bar which is 600 TW and 10,000 Trailer Weight? I think the dealer I am working with wants me to use the single bar, but I am more inclined to use the double bar, but fear that it is overkill for our trailer weight?

Please advise. Thanks.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by boutdoors

Hello All,
I am trying to figure out which bars to get for my Weight Distribution Hitch. Our trailer is 3500# GVWR with a Hitch Weight of 446# maxed out.

There is a single bar 600 TW and 4000 Trailer Weight or the double bar which is 600 TW and 10,000 Trailer Weight? I think the dealer I am working with wants me to use the single bar, but I am more inclined to use the double bar, but fear that it is overkill for our trailer weight?

Please advise. Thanks.

The answer, in part, depends on the exact tow vehicle you will be using.

A proper rated load equalizing hitch, matches the trailer to the tow vehicle, always.

Andy

[boutdoors]

Andy, Here's the breakdown:
TV - 2010 V6 Tacoma with tow rating of 6500#

TT - 2010 16' Sport, 3500# GVWR, 446# TW

My dealer said that I should get the lightest bar weights as possible and I assume he is referring to a single bar weight distribution system, but I think I should get the 600# trunnion weight distribution system.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by boutdoors

Andy, Here's the breakdown:
TV - 2010 V6 Tacoma with tow rating of 6500#

TT - 2010 16' Sport, 3500# GVWR, 446# TW

My dealer said that I should get the lightest bar weights as possible and I assume he is referring to a single bar weight distribution system, but I think I should get the 600# trunnion weight distribution system.

I agree with your thinking.

A Reese dual cam would do a good job.

Andy

[boutdoors]

Anyone else have any thoughts on which reese bar weight I should use?

Besides Reese, I was thinking of going with Equal-i-zer, but was cautioned yesterday that their might not be enough tongue weight with my unit to make even the 600# bars work effectively.

[moosetags]

Boutdoors, are your trailer weight and tongue weight figures actual or something your reading on a chart? The two are not always the same. When your trailer is loaded for travel, take it to the truck scales and weigh the trailer and tongue weight separately for the real story.

Brian

[boutdoors]

The numbers are off of the Airstream Web site.

The problem is that I have to tow from the dealer about 100 miles and want Weight Distribution put on before I tow it, so, no time to load and test on scales.

[JFScheck]

Your Fine....

Of course if you had a Ford F250 or Chevy 2500 you wouldn't have any issues...

Or - if you intsall a "ha-ha" or "pp" you could use a Suzuki Swift...

All said "tongue in cheek"....

[boutdoors]

Thanks John, I know I am fine, but still have not gotten an answer to which spring bars I should go with.
600#/10,000#
or use the single bar system rated at 400#/4,000#

Thanks.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by boutdoors

Thanks John, I know I am fine, but still have not gotten an answer to which spring bars I should go with.
600#/10,000#
or use the single bar system rated at 400#/4,000#

Thanks.

I would strongly recommend that you call the hitch manufacturer's customer service and ask for their advice.

On these forums, you will likely get varied answers, and obviously they can't all be right.

The dealers don't always have the best advice either. They are in the business of selling trailers, with hitches being secondary.

The engineers that designed the hitch, work for the manufacturer, and that is where the most reliable advice is going to come from.

Regards,


Ken

[boutdoors]

Thanks Ken,
The only problem is I cant find the Customer Service phone number for Reese or Draw-Tite. All they have on their web site is an e-mailable form??

Does anyone have the customer service number for Reese or Draw-tite?

Thanks.

[Ag&Au]

That is weird. I don't think I have ever seen a company go to more trouble to hide their phone numbers. I look all over the internet. Apparently this is the parent company and I can't even find their number: Cequent Website - A TriMas Company .

Regards,
Ken

[boutdoors]

Yah, if someone has it, we should start a thread of customer service numbers if there is not one already.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by boutdoors

but still have not gotten an answer to which spring bars I should go with.

600#/10,000# or use the single bar system rated at 400#/4,000#

the answer is found in a previous thread, in the last few links in post #11...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ill-61635.html

basically the same trailer as here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...-ii-21000.html

see posts #27 AND #50 in that thread.

the dual cam has the advantage of being able to UPrate the w/d bars without buying a new hitch head...

with the e'I'zer, most trunnion bar models are head/bar specific,

this is common for trunnion style bars (although some are interchangeable)

which means IF u ever go to a LARGER/heavier trailer a new hitch will be needed.

direct HELP from the e'I'zer TECH people is in this thread...

(( ignore MOST of the forum expert's posts below, and read #44 and #90...))

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f232...use-28204.html

with set up help here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...ion-32805.html

the w/d bars need to FLEX 1-3 inches in order to maximize the friction sway cams (reese) or 4 point control (eIzr)...

500-600 lbs tongues=600 lb bars.

650 lb tongues=1000 lb bars UNLESS towing with beefier mule.

at 450 lbs many question the need for w/d but with your tv, 600 works...

and u can toss a case or 2 of beverages UPfront to add tongue weight

ONE w/d bar?

i don't think a LOT of sway dampening will happen, unless you ADD friction outriggers to the set up...

and that is REALLY old school

cheer
2air'

[JFScheck]

Originally Posted by boutdoors

Does anyone have the customer service number for Reese or Draw-tite

I found the address for the manufacturer of Draw-Tite = "Cequent Towing Products" - looked up the phone number for the corresponding address and found the following:

Cequent Towing Products / Draw-Tite
47774 West Anchor Court, Plymouth
(734) 656-3000

Hope that is of some help

[Mikethefixit]

I know everyone has an opinion . I use the Reese Straightline Old Style Dual Cam with 550 bars with our F350.The TV and Trailer get a very nice smooth ride. I know the trailer is short but Im sure you will be pleased with the dual 600 lb bars.

[boutdoors]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have locked down a reese system with 600# bars and a prodigy brake controller.

I am picking up the trailer on Friday and will be posting pictures soon. Thanks again.