Equalizer bars

[Shiny16]

2023 Caravel 19cb with a factory hitch weight of 550. Lithium should lower that a bit and the newer units have the fresh water tank over the wheels. Based on my results with previous Airstreams I would not expect the tongue to be over 550. We generally have at a max 100 pounds cargo in the 2020 Grand Cherokee L aft of the rear axle.
Opinions on 600 verses 1000 pound bars?

Thanks

[dznf0g]

600, imo.

[99TJSE]

Used 600# bars on our 2020 19' Caravel. Worked nicely

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by 99TJSE

Used 600# bars on our 2020 19' Caravel. Worked nicely

What kind of TV and any typical cargo aft of the axle?

Thanks in advance.

[99TJSE]

1999 SUBURBAN K2500. I had my cloths stashed under the bed, normal toiletries in the bathroom. All in all it worked well and was a delight to tow behind the Suburban. It even towed well on dirt roads out in the boonies.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

600, imo.

Originally Posted by 99TJSE

Used 600# bars on our 2020 19' Caravel. Worked nicely

^^^^^^
YES

Bob
🇺🇸

[99TJSE]

The Suburban is a good old pack mule. Never worried about load with the 19. Have to be conscious with the 27. Hauls both just fine.

Your Jeep? Don't know. The bars shouldn't change.

[Shiny16]

Thanks all! I was thinking 1000 might be too much.

[AlbertF]

Depends on the brand of hitch and whether the bars are tapered, which provides progressive weight distribution.

Tow vehicle choice is also a factor. With a passenger vehicle you want an even drop front to back, which requires more tension.

I use 1000 pound Eaz-Lift bars with a 22FB, and I find they work very well.

[Shiny16]

Any more opinions on this? I have to make a decision in the next few days. I’m definitely leaning toward the 600 but with a bit of weight rear of the axle in the Jeep if bring it right in between the two choices.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Any more opinions on this? I have to make a decision in the next few days. I’m definitely leaning toward the 600 but with a bit of weight rear of the axle in the Jeep if bring it right in between the two choices.

WD bar rating is intended to cover the amount of weight you will need to transfer. It is 'not' intended to cover the the full tongue weight of the trailer.

1000lb bars are way too stiff for a 19' Caravelle with a 550lb tongue weight.

Even after you load up the Caravelle and the tongue weight is say... 700lbs, you will not need to transfer more than a few hundred lbs to the front axle of your tow vehicle.

600lb bars are the way to go for you.

[JCWDCW]

Jeep rides pretty firm.
I pulled a 25 with it with 1000 lb bars. No issues.
If your 600s show up a bit light you can move up but try them. The usual test is how much bend you end up with after loading and hooking up the rig.
My original set upon the '96 Excella had 750 bars. They really had a lot of curve in them. When the Hensley failed CanAm set me up with 1000 lb bars
This is likely a bit late for you. ...Assume you've already made a decision or purchase.

[WestieHouse]

I towed our 2015 23’FC with a Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel over 50,000 miles using 1,000 lb bars on an Equalizer hitch. I made careful adjustments and used a CAT scale to confirm proper weight distribution. A fantastic experience in 49 states. We’re now using that same hitch and 1,000 lb bars, with appropriate adjustments, on our F-150 pulling a 25 FC. We have about 40k miles across the country twice.

I often popped rivets in the 23’ but have not in the 25. The bars were probably a hair heavier than needed for our 23, but seem perfect for our 25FC. Heavier bars may yield a stiffer ride when a lower weight rating would suffice. And I suspect would modestly reduce your tongue weight.

Bottom line - 1,000 lb bars worked well for our two rigs, but I think would be too much for your setup.

[Shiny16]

THANKS ALL! 600 pound on order.

[Merlintiaga]

Load bars are like shoes, bigger is not better. The right size is the right size.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

THANKS ALL! 600 pound on order.

You made the correct decision. Best of luck with your trailer adventures and have fun!

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by foobar

You made the correct decision. Best of luck with your trailer adventures and have fun!

Thanks!

[Seinbelld]

Hi all,

Moving back into an Airstream after selling our 2016 30' International Serenity in 2021. We are going smaller this time - a Flying Cloud 23CB with GVWR of 6,000 lbs with advertised tongue weight of 600 lbs. Would like another Equalizer hitch and on the fence between the 6000 lb and 10000 lb bars. Looks like conventional wisdom is to go with the 6k?

We will likely tow with a 1500 truck and are a family of 5 if that matters or changes anything?

Thanks!

[Mollysdad]

My experience is the actual scale tongue weight is much higher than the advertised tongue weight. My 26 claims a tongue weight of 903, but on the Sherline scale it's 1125 and I don't carry heavy stuff in the front.
I use the 10000 Equalizer although I could go higher.
Here's my opinion. The static weight (scale) is only one factor. More importantly, is the dynamic weight of highway fluctuations like humpity precast bridges or transitions all of which contribute to motion in the hitch. Because the the dreaded front end separation fear, I opt to go with the lower bars and run more washers.
So even though my tongue is 1125, I still use the 1000# bars and 7 washers. I think this provides good WD and still have some flex.

NOTE: I'm going to try a Blue Ox Sway Pro that I found used. It came with 1500# bars, but I purchased the 1000# bars and I'll try it that way. So far the Equalizer has served me well, it's very adjustable, but it requires disassembly to change anything and the bars are not interchangeable.

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

..... So far the Equalizer has served me well, it's very adjustable, but it requires disassembly to change anything and the bars are not interchangeable.

........ and I'll add, stupid heavy.........

Pay close attention to the quote above. IF you select the wrong weight bars, you will be buying an entirely new hitch (bars and head, you can reuse your shank and ball) as bars cannot be swapped for different weight bars on Equal-i-zer brand hitches.

From the Equal-i-zer Store........ Spring Arms
Replacement spring arms for your Equal‑i‑zer® hitch. These arms are only compatible with the matching weight rating hitch head.

Charles