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dscluchfc · 01-15-2005, 10:37 PM

I have 1000 lb weight distribution trunnion bars without the integrated cam for the Reese Dual Cam anti-sway hitch. They were probably the right ones to use towing my 1984- 31 ft Excella with the half ton Yukon.

I now have the HD2500 Duramax/Allison, and according to some articles I have read, here and other places, I probably need 500-600lb bars now as I am probably now overhitched and should get a set of lighter bars to soften the ride up on the front of the trailer.

Has anyone bought a second set of bars?
What price should I expect to pay?
Would you get the integrated cam bars, or the ones without the integrated cam and the separate bolt on cams?

overlander64 · 01-15-2005, 10:53 PM

Greetings dscluchfc!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

I have 1000 lb weight distribution trunnion bars without the integrated cam for the Reese Dual Cam anti-sway hitch. They were probably the right ones to use towing my 1984- 31 ft Excella with the half ton Yukon.

I now have the HD2500 Duramax/Allison, and according to some articles I have read, here and other places, I probably need 500-600lb bars now as I am probably now overhitched and should get a set of lighter bars to soften the ride up on the front of the trailer.

Has anyone bought a second set of bars?
What price should I expect to pay?
Would you get the integrated cam bars, or the ones without the integrated cam and the separate bolt on cams?

I actually have four sets of weight distribution bars for my Reese hitch setup reflecting three different coaches owned in the past as well as four different primary tow vehicles. Just short of three years ago, I purchased a new set of 800 pound bars to tow my '64 Overlander with my '75 Cadillac Eldorado and they were in the near vicinity of $200 for the new style bars that don't require the separate saddle for the Dual Cam System. The one thing to be aware of is that the new style bars are slightly longer meaning that the brackets for the Dual Cam arms will likely need adjusting (it isn't a problem if you don't tow with more than one vehicle, but it can be something of a nuisance if you have more than one tow vehicle requiring different ratings on the weight distribution bars).

Good luck with your hitch setup revisions!

Kevin

dscluchfc · 01-15-2005, 11:32 PM

I would like to find a set of 500# OLD style bars so the legnth would be the same. Maybe someone has a set they would part with?

Silvertwinkie · 01-15-2005, 11:57 PM

It's been my understanding that it all really depends on the hitch weight (mostly).

For example, you have a 2500, and have an 850lb hitch weight, 1000 bars would work fine and still get the sway control. I wouldn't use 1200lb bars in that situation.

However, the 1/2 vs 3/4 ton does come into play. The situation I mention above works well with a 3/4 with 850lb hitch weight. I don't believe I am overhitched in this senario as the bars bend. I think using 500lb bars when the hitch weight is consid more than 500lbs is dangerous. There are folks who would disagree and folks that wouldn't.

If no info can be drawn from the forum, trial an error will have to suffice. If your hitch weight is around 500#s, then you should be OK with 500-600lb bars.

I bought bars, hitch and horseshoes for about $125. These were all Reese new style bars for use with Dual Cam.

By the way, the new style Dual Cam HP is adujstable, so if you have more than one tow vehicle, you can adjust the cams.

Creampuff · 01-15-2005, 11:58 PM

Where does one find a rating on an old WD trunion bar? I assume it's somewhere on the casting but I am not finding one.I have an extra pair but don't know their rating.

Silvertwinkie · 01-16-2005, 12:02 AM

Depending on how old, some had stickers, some I've seen have had no info. The new bars have it stamped (I think) or there is for sure a sticker on the bar so there is no doubt what bar you have.

dscluchfc · 01-16-2005, 12:30 AM

The thickness of the bar is the determining factor, I think...
Something like:
1" is 500#
1 1/8" is 750#
1 1/4" is 1000#
Is this right???

Silvertwinkie · 01-16-2005, 09:45 AM

You got me there...I'm not sure. Anyone??

59toaster · 01-16-2005, 10:25 AM

dscluchfc:

You are correct. you need the lighter bars for the dual cam to work with the HD suspension on the truck. Its not about the tongue weight as much as it is about keeping tensions at all times on the DC. If the bars are to heavy then the bars will unload if the tail of the truck comes up under braking. If that happens it takes less effort for the cam on the Dual cam set up to release. You have to have the spring. If you using a Friction say its not as critical.

If you look in the towing section there is a long post where Andy From Inland RV talked about being "Over hitched" Search that and you should find it.

I am also looking for a set of 500lb bars for my 3/4 ton Suburban and I am ready to buy a trunnion as well. I have a Valley trunnion and it does not work well with the Dual cam because of the way the bars lock in. I am running into the same issue with the bars on the length. I have a set of 750 short and 1000 long.

Ebay is the best advice I can offer. I picked up my complete DC trunnion and draw bar for $150 from Ebay.

overlander64 · 01-16-2005, 10:26 AM

Greetings dscluchfc!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

The thickness of the bar is the determining factor, I think...
Something like:
1 1/8" is 500#
1 1/4" is 750#
1 3/8" is 1000#
Is this right???

The Reese hitch parts breakdown pdf gives the part numbers as well as measurements for the various ratings on the trunion style weight distribution bars. This information is located in the lower right hand corner of page 1 of the pdf, see:

Standard Trunion Weight Distributing Parts Diagram

The same information for the High Performance Weight Distributing hitch can be found at (bar identification is also in the lower right hand corner of page 1), see:

Hight Performance Trunion Weight Distributing Parts Diagram

Similar information for the Heavy Duty Round Bar weight distributing hitch can be found at (the information regarding the bars is again in the lower right hand corner of the first page):

Heavy Duty Round Bar Weight Distributing Parts Diagram

The round bar only lists the part numbers - - since I don't use one of these hitches, I don't know whether these numbers might be cast into bars - - or if they relied upon the labels for identification.

Kevin

Silvertwinkie · 01-16-2005, 11:56 AM

Again, I think hitch weight does come into play at some point as well and might be part of the equation. I think stress on the bars is key, but at the same time, I'm not sure if you have an 800lb or more hitch weight that you use 500lb bars. I mean if the bars are stressed already, going to a lower bar I would think might not be a good idea? Of course I am referring to my application.

dscluchfc · 01-16-2005, 01:27 PM

I have plenty of suspension on the 2500HD crew cab pickup.
On the half ton Yukon...those 1000# bars were a necessity to equalize the weight distribution because without them, the trailer would push the Yukon to the bottom of the suspension with ease.
Not so with the 2500HD Diesel. To get bend in the bars and tension on them, I just about unload the suspension of the truck making it where I can almost take all the tension out of the 1000# bars in a heavy brake.
Andy's article is correct (even though it is against the common American misconception that bigger is always better). I guess if bigger was always better, Miss America would weigh 400 lbs.
If you have heavy suspension, then you may need lighter weight bars so that they don't release on you because your tow vehicle suspension has less travel in it and is doing more of the work.
I guess it is off to eBay, or to a dealer ........
Post #38 by 59Toaster explains all of this in thie following link:
http://www.airforums.com/forum...3&page=2&pp=20

dscluchfc · 01-16-2005, 03:08 PM

Ok....lots of research....
I have 650 lb bars....1 1/8 inch...so, that means 750 lb according to Andy.
Not as bad off as I thought.
Probably still should find some 1 inch bars.

Silver Bullet · 01-16-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

The thickness of the bar is the determining factor, I think...
Something like:
1" is 500#
1 1/8" is 750#
1 1/4" is 1000#
Is this right???

I asked this very question on another thread, ( Resuscitate a smashed AS or not) and Andy at Inland replyed this;

Measure the bar width at the trunnion

1" = 450 lbs

1 1/8 = 650 lbs

1 1/4 = 900 lbs

Add 100 lbs for the DC set-up

Oscar

Silvertwinkie · 01-16-2005, 04:57 PM

Not sure if that was aimed any place particular, but FWIW, with the Impala, I had 1200lb bars....worked great. I took a step down to 1000lb bars with the 2500 Burb and still get flex in the bars. I have about 800lbs of hitch weight. Could I do 750s? Maybe, but my point was that I wouldn't go 500lb bars in my particular situation.

Creampuff · 01-16-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creampuff

.I have an extra pair but don't know their rating.

Well, now at least I know what I've got! Sorry to get anybody's hopes up - but my spares are not for dual cam but the older style with a straight bar drilled through and chain attached with a u-bolt. Anyone need a set ? (500 or 750#, I'll have to check.) PM me if so.

dscluchfc · 01-16-2005, 11:05 PM

Creampuff, I sent you a PM....what size are the bars?..500# or 700#?

Torpedo Family · 04-21-2005, 05:52 AM

I just purchased a couple of bars this month from a used trailer sales lot here in Ozark, Alabama for $30.00, they had a pile of them. They wanted another $30.00 for a pair of snap ups. I cleaned them up and painted any they look new. Look at some lots like this. Good luck.