I have been lurking here for a bit as the wife and I are getting ready to purchase our first TT (I grew up camping in grandparents MH, and we had a pop up and have towed a boat for years), but getting into towing a 6000-6500lb (loaded) trailer is something new, so any help and advice you can give is much appreciated....ok, here is what we are looking at: TV is currently a 2003 Durango, 5.9L with 3.92 gears and HD towing package - rated to tow 7,500lbs I believe. The TT we are looking at is either the Jayco G2 23FB or the Jayco Jayflight 22FB (listed at 6500 and 6000lbs GVWR). We are looking to get a new TV (either a Yukon or an Armada, as the TV will be the wife's daily driver, so a truck, or excursion, etc are out). I am really confused on the hitches...dual cam, WDH, sway control, etc...I assumed (naively I admit) that the dealer would just set me up with whatever I need, but now I am not so sure...what would be a good hitch for us? The equalizer? I have looked at them on their website and it seems straightforward enough, but it uses friction sway control....and did I read on here that those systems are not good for anything over 1000lbs?? Thanks in advance for any help and or advice!!
A Reese dual cam includes a integrated sway control, and a weight distribution can be added at install. An all in one system. Go with the longest wheel base truck, most powerful engine, and 3.73 rear end.
Most likely your dealer will set you up with whatever he happens to sell and that may or may NOT be the best thing for you. You won't go wrong with either the friction anti sway control (Equalizer) or the Duel Cam where the spring tension of the WD bars controls sway. Good luck / Skip
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss a truck just because it will be DW's daily driver. When we bought our Dodge 2500, I planned on it being my daily driver. Once the DW drove it, she took it over. She loves the roomy interior, being up high to see the road and the all-around secure feel of the thing. Plus, the extended cab has as much room in the back seat as many sedans. If you're pulling a TT, you can install a locking cover for the bed--lots of possibilities.
IMO, under ideal road and weather conditions a properly sized Weight Distribution (WD) hitch with a manual friction sway control bar would be 'OK' for the two TT's you referenced.
If you want to up-grade and enhance your sway control capabilities, then I would look into a Equal-i-zer brand WD or a Reese Dual Cam brand WD, both brands have integrated sway control (manual sway control bar not required).
What is important with any WD hitch purchase is that the WD spring bar weight rating meet the requirement of your "loaded" TT tongue weight. Depending on your TT loading habits, a 800lb spring bar rating should be a good match for the two GVWR's that you provided.
Many folks will refer to a weight distribution hitch as an equalizer hitch, but keep in mind that "Equal-i-zer" is a brand name of a manufacture of weight distribution hitches.
Make sure your RV dealer walks you through the set-up and adjustment of your WD hitch, and provides you with the documentation that came with it.
I also agree that your new TV have at least a 5.3L engine with a minimum 3.73 rear end gear. A 6.0L engine with a 4.10 rear gear would be ideal, and prepare you for that "next" TT upgrade.
Turk2500
05 Jayco Eagle, 278FBS, UVW 7,063lbs, GVWR 9,000lbs.
Tongue Weight: Dry 913lbs/Loaded 1,200lbs.
02 Chevy, 2500HD/4x4, 6.0L/4:10, EC/LS/SB, Prodigy, GCWR 16,000lbs.
TV/TT loaded: 14,700lbs.
Putnam XDR Class V, Reese HP Dual Cam.
00 HD Road King Classic.
We chose the Equal-i-zer because it had the fewest parts to deal with when hitching/unhitching.
It works just fine with our setup. Doesn't eliminate sway but what is left is manageable for both my wife and me.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
The Reese HP Dual Cam W/D system is a superior system that is very easy to set up. I would reccomend it with the 1000# bars for the trailer you are considering
05 Super Duty XLT CC 5.4/3.73 5 sp auto Torqshift
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The"Cracker Cabana")
Reese HP Dual Cam
Good morning and thanks for the replies! RSCraig - funny you should say that...this morning the wife said she would drive a Titan Crew Cab Short Bed...go figure!! With the current discounts available, and our Durango paid for, it looks like we need to head to the dealer! The brand name Equalizer is the hitch I had looked at and it seems fairly simple to operate. Next question for you all....electronic brake controller???? Any recommendations? I assume this is something I need to get aftermarket? Thanks again for the help and advice!
The Prodigy brake controller is very popular, and I really like mine. It performs much better than the Voyager that I had.
As has been posted, the Reese Dual Cam and Equalizer hitches are popular and have a proven track record. I'm a Hensley fan, but I found mine used at half the "new" price and consider the extra bucks I spent to be well spent. The Hensley/Pull Rite debate goes on around here all the time...so if you do a search, you'll find hours of reading! IMHO, the bottom line is this....The Reese Dual Cam or Equalizer provide excellent sway and WD control. The Hensley and Pull Rite provide an extra margin of sway control that is worth the added cost to some and a "waste of money" to others.
And please....I only mention this to gtsum so that he knows there are options to the Reese DC or Equalizer. Let's not hijack his thread with debates about Hensley/Pullrite hitches.
2001 Dodge 3500 DRW V10 Magnum
2002 Sunline T280SR
Arrow Hensley Hitch
10' Porta Bote My photo galleries.
Unless you get a 3/4 ton Yukon or Suburban I think your current Durango has more tow capacity than a 1/2 ton Yukon.
"A bad day of camping is better than a good day at work."
'04 GMC Envoy & '05 Travel Star 21SSO
17' Wenonah Kevlar & 16' Dagger Royalex canoes http://community.webshots.com/user/mbopp0153
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