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Old 06-30-2020, 11:32 AM   #1
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2021 22' Caravel
Atlanta , Georgia
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Hitch recommendation Jeep Gladiator Sport S towing a 2021 Caravel 22FB

Good afternoon,

Does anyone recommend a particular weight distribution hitch to tow a 2021 Caravel 22FB using a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S with Max Tow Package? I see alot of posts about the Hensley, Propride, Blue Ox, and equalizer. Are those too heavy for my rig or is one particularly better for a midsize truck like the Jeep Gladiator? Thanks in advance!
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Old 06-30-2020, 04:03 PM   #2
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You should be able to get a hitch with bars that closely match your trailer tongue weight and trailer weight. Most of the hitches you mentioned should have an option to select the correct bars and the proper size and drawbar to fit your truck/trailer combo.

The Hensley will be the ultimate in hitches, and the Propride will be up there as well. Equalizer seems to be the current hitch being endorsed by many dealers. It will probably be the least expensive. You can also check etrailer.com as they have a bunch of options as well.

The Caravel will probably come in with an actual tongue weight of ~600 to 650 lbs. This can go up even more if you are carrying some fresh water.

You want to make sure that this will fit into the Gladiator's towing capacity and tongue weight capacity applied to the hitch. Jeep doesn't seem to make the TW info readily available.
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Old 06-30-2020, 05:17 PM   #3
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Thanks! I looked up my tow vehicle specs and it has the following:

GCWR 12,800lbs
Max GTW 7,650lbs
Max Trailer tongue weight: 765lbs

Hopefull, I got enough truck to tow the Caravel 22FB.

The dealer recommended the E2 Fastway. Any thoughts on that one?
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...hoCnOsQAvD_BwE
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Old 06-30-2020, 06:23 PM   #4
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Which Hitch?

Propride and Hensley are loved by many but they are very expensive. A blue Ox or Equalizer will do a fine job for you at a reasonable cost. Both are around $700.00 or so dollars. Price them on Etrailer.

You should watch some Youtube videos about the Blue Ox and Equaliizer hitches. There are plenty of them and can give you an idea of how WD hitches work, how to install, adjust and maintain. Make sure you read the hitch manual and follow the instructions and you should be fine.

I tow a 2019 FC 25 RBT with an Equalizer. Over 25K miles and no problems. I took great care when installing and adjusting hitch for proper operation. If you chose an Equalizer make sure you get a pair of "Sway Bracket Jackets". About $20.00 from Etrailer and they will cut down the noise about 80%.

To properly set up your hitch you will need to take a trip to the closest CAT Scale with your rig all loaded for travel and do a three pass weigh in. After you have those weight tickets in hand you can properly adjust your WD hitch.

Your going to have to watch your payload weights pretty close on your new Gladiator as it does not have a very high payload rating. The Max Tow Package model actually has a lower payload rating than is available on other Gladiator models. The sticker in the drivers door jamb will have the payload capacity and individual axle ratings.

Welcome to the Airstream world and tow safely.
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Old 06-30-2020, 06:27 PM   #5
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Have had equalizer, husky and now Eaz Lift on three different AS. All are good but first two are the easiest to set up and maintain
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Old 07-01-2020, 10:38 AM   #6
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Gladiator Sport S towing

I have exact TV. I tow a 2020 Bambi 20fb and use the blue ox with 1000 lbs. bars and have no issues towing in fact most of the time you don't know you are towing unless going up steep hill. The Bambi 20fb I believe has tongue weight of 565 lbs.
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Old 07-01-2020, 10:55 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bonediggy View Post
Thanks! I looked up my tow vehicle specs and it has the following:

GCWR 12,800lbs
Max GTW 7,650lbs
Max Trailer tongue weight: 765lbs

Hopefull, I got enough truck to tow the Caravel 22FB.

The dealer recommended the E2 Fastway. Any thoughts on that one?
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...hoCnOsQAvD_BwE
It looks like you have a weight buffer to make this work. We considered the Gladiator when we were buying our truck for business but went with Honda Ridgeline as we were trading in an older Honda. We bought our trailer 4 months later and had to deal with the weights and avoiding maxing out the Ridgeline which is much easier to do than the Gladiator.

chappy72 has confirmed that the Jeep works with his similar setup as well.

Once you get the hitch sorted out, you should pop by a CAT scale and weight the truck, trailer and combo to see that you are taking advantage of the WDH properties by shifting some of the load to the steering axle.
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Old 07-01-2020, 11:05 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bonediggy View Post
The dealer recommended the E2 Fastway. Any thoughts on that one?
Yes.
It's a great choice.
It's the baby brother to Equalizer, made by the same company I believe. It shares the same "L" pads on the A-Frame for anti-sway, but is available with round bars or trunnion bars.
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Old 07-01-2020, 11:14 AM   #9
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Carlsbad , California
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I’d also consider the Andersen WDH. Simpler to use than most others and well within the capacity of the Caravel. I looked at trading my 22’ Sport for a 22’ Caravel in December, the dry tongue weight was just over 600 lbs. assume you will be in the upper 600’s fully loaded. The Gladiator should still be plenty capable, but as others have said, watch that payload. Have fun
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Old 07-01-2020, 05:22 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad View Post
Yes.

It's a great choice.

It's the baby brother to Equalizer, made by the same company I believe. It shares the same "L" pads on the A-Frame for anti-sway, but is available with round bars or trunnion bars.


Thanks!
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Old 07-01-2020, 05:24 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chappy72 View Post
I have exact TV. I tow a 2020 Bambi 20fb and use the blue ox with 1000 lbs. bars and have no issues towing in fact most of the time you don't know you are towing unless going up steep hill. The Bambi 20fb I believe has tongue weight of 565 lbs.


Awesome, glad to know somebody has a similar setup and it is working out!
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Old 04-17-2021, 11:42 AM   #12
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My rec based upon my experience would be the Blue Ox with sway bars. Done deal.
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Old 05-06-2023, 02:30 PM   #13
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Like the post and seeing several gladiators pulling with no issues. We have rubicon with tow package pulling base camp 20x. We went with the bars and not too noisy. Went with dealer recommendation and they did the setup and review with us. Went with with wireless Curt break control.
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