Equilizer bars with equipment trailers ?

Pete in Holland MI · Sep 10, 2020

So.........while I was hooking my 28' camper up the other day, hooking up the equilizer bar system and anti-sway bar, I got to thinking that I've never seen anyone using those things for a tandem axle tractor hauler trailer. I understand that there is greater sail area on a camper, but would there be a benefit to using them?

Thoughts ?

MJMJ · Sep 10, 2020

Ive seen them used quite a bit, but not enough. I think the only downside is people dont want to take the time.

504 · Sep 10, 2020

I pulled my 20 ft flat bed with a small Toyota PU (back when they only made one
size)and I used the bars all of the time. Now I tow with a 3/4 T Chevy. I still
use them with the camper,I like the front end, down not 3 feet in the air.
Camper and PU weigh 13,000#

Brendon-KS · Sep 14, 2020

With some vehicles the manufacturer requires the use of a weight distributing hitch to achieve the advertised towing capacity, regardless of what kind of trailer it is. My F-150 is a good example - it is rated to tow 11,300 lbs but without a WD hitch it can only handle 5000. Even my 2001 F-250 Super Duty was limited to the same amount. This is because it is impossible to properly balance a heavy trailer without overloading the rear axle if you don't transfer some of that tongue weight to the front axle. I have personally only used one once when I had close to 10,000 lbs to tow nearly 400 miles. I can verify that weight distributing hitches work great as the ride was very smooth and stable, even though both truck and trailer were loaded up to near their rated maximums.

504 · Sep 14, 2020

I can t believe some agrees with me about equalizer hitches!

SVcummins · Sep 15, 2020

I would think they could be a good idea

Brendon-KS · Sep 15, 2020

People can choose to ignore math, physics, and proven engineering principles but that doesn't invalidate them or make them go away. Doesn't keep some people from trying, though . . .

WESnIL · Sep 16, 2020

Unless lightly loaded I routinely use stabilizer bars with my tandem axle 10 K rated (with 6 K axles) when hauling. My load this past weekend was incorrectly loaded as I had slightly too much weight on the trailer. Everything turned out okay but my preference is too much tongue weight and then keep the sway bars tight. A good starting point is attach the bars with an empty trailer just snug and you will not have to do more adjustment 90 plus % of the time. I don't like to haul without them.

1954Frank · Nov 2, 2020

Maybe unrelated... I remember back in the 70s seeing an ad for a weight distributing hitch in an RV magazine. It showed a front wheel drive Olds Tornado with a large travel hitched to it with WD hitch - and the rear axle of the car was removed.
I didn’t read the fine print but I’m sure there was a disclaimer, and the ad published to demonstrate how the hitch works.

Bob 7337 · Nov 2, 2020

them equilizer bars have some advantage sometimes. Try going through a side ditch or uneven driveways and you will develop a bad taste in your mouth about them real fast

504 · Nov 2, 2020

Frank, I saw a film from Reese Hitch Co showing the Toronado with the rear wheels removed, towing a trailer.

johndeere720GA · Nov 4, 2020

Dont have a video but I found a picture:

David G · Nov 5, 2020

Now, that was a car.

MichiganCockshutt40 · Dec 8, 2020

Nice! With a hood like that you can run down Grizzlies!

Equilizer bars with equipment trailers ?

Pete in Holland MI

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