woggy i didnt get to respond to your im i was sleeping last night. didnt want you to think i was ignoring you. I love to talk about boats all the time
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| Weight Distributing Hitch Question? https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=582 |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Weight Distributing Hitch Question? |
I was wondering if anyone here uses a WD Hitch to tow their boat? I know it is uncommon with Surge Brakes, due to the possibility of the WD hindering the Surge Brakes, but have been looking at the Equal-I-zer hitch. Has any one used, seen or heard anything about it or any other models? Thanks for any information you might be able to provide! |
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| Author: | Giaccamo [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
MdRobins35. I assume you are talking about the anti-sway bars that attach to the hitch and to the trailer frame. It's been a long time since I trailered the boat, but when I had my 215 Sundowner, I looked into that, and I was informed that it was dangerous with surge brakes, so I would be real careful with that one. Also, I towed the 215 Sundowner with a GMC Jimmy before I traded that in and got the Chevy Tahoe, and I never had a problem with the standard hitch towing the Sundowner. I would think that you should be fine with the Trailblazer. The key is to make sure your tongue weight is balanced properly. If not, there are several ways to correct the balance. Some times it is as simple as moving the bow rest a few inches either forwards or backwards, or in more drastic cases, you may have to move the trailer axle. Also, know your safe speed while towing, and do not exceed it. Once you lose control of the trailer and it starts to sway it is difficult to gain control back. I hope my information here is accurate, as it has been 4 years since I did any trailering, but I trailered the 215Sundowner for 10 years before that. There are some on theis board that trailer much larger boats than that and they can give you the best advice. |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Thanks for the insight. The hitch I am asking about isnt a typical anti-sway WD hitch. It is actually suppose to be used with surge brakes, but didn't want to spend 600$ on something if it wasnt needed. Also, the boat will max out at 4500# while the hitch is only 4000#, would it still be okay? Thanks |
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| Author: | jvalich [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
You should be fine. I tow 13000# with a 10000# as do a number of others in our boating club. I've never had any problems. I do, as a regular maintenance item, inspect my hitch, wiring, etc at regular intervals. |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Okay, well I planned on first getting just a drop/ball setup from like uhaul, but do you have a better setup that I should get. Thanks for answering these! |
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| Author: | jvalich [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 12:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
None that I can think of. You can get stuff a bit cheaper on the web but it's heavy and when you figure in freight, Uhaul is probably cheaper. Uhaul usually has just about everything you will need. I would suggest that you let them know, or ask about the receiver. Sometimes it takes a turn or two to get the lift or drop right so the trailer is level. Make sure you can swap it out if the height isn't correct on your first guess. |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Thanks for all of the information jvalich! It is great to learn and receive tips from unbiased people. |
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| Author: | woggy718 [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
MdRobins35 wrote: Thanks for all of the information jvalich! It is great to learn and receive tips from unbiased people.
That's what this great site is for!!! |
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| Author: | mkperceptions [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
woggy i didnt get to respond to your im i was sleeping last night. didnt want you to think i was ignoring you. I love to talk about boats all the time
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| Author: | 230 Mike [ Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I pretty much never have a different opinion than jvalich, but I'd be scared to death to tow a load that's heavier than what my hitch was rated for. The danger to my family and property is bad enough, but if my hitch failed and someone else died as a result, my life would likely be ruined. Not worth the risk for $100-200 in my opinion. The stock hitch on my F-150 was rated for 5K. My boat & trailer, loaded with fuel, water, & toys, weighs right at 6,500. I had a new 10K class IV hitch installed for a couple hundred dollars and 45 minutes of my time. I'm sure hitches are like ladders - designed to limits far above what's stated on them. But towing is a stressful enough experience without taking chances. |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Yeah, my feelings too. I posted something along this lines in the TB question. So I wont go too much into it here. But I cannot find a hitch from anyone that is over 4000# for the TB, thats why I was looking into this WD Hitch. Thanks |
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| Author: | jvalich [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
I have a class V hitch, I'm mistaken about the max weight. In looking at the specs for a Class V, 15000# seems the limit. So, guess I'm within my limits. |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Yeah. I just don't want to stress the TB and then have any towing issues with the boat attached. I am leaning towards just getting a standard bar and aball when we pick it up and see how the drive home is. Will be able to tell since it is about 20 mins. If it looks and or feels bad will order the WD hitch. The have a guarantee, so it won't be too bad of a deal to atleast try out. Will let everyone know once we get the boat, April, and how it handles and so on. Thanks for all of the input. |
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| Author: | JAK [ Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
You're correct that the wrong style hitch will render your surge brakes useless. But the Equilizer brand hitch does work perfectly fine with surge brakes. I have the Class V and have been towing boats and campers with it for years with no ploblems Unlike Reese receiver hitches and other brands that use the drop chain from the frame to the bars, Equilizer slides through an L-bracket that is mounted on the trailer. It has the added benefit of acting as a sway bar by tightening the tension of the bar movement as needed. Also, on mine at least, the hitch head is adjustable for height. Well designed and over-built hitch. You should have no problems. |
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| Author: | MdRobins35 [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Good to hear. Since the hitch is only rated at 4000# and the boat will be pushing 4500#, I knew adding the WD hitch would be a plus. But, the dealer had told me that Surge brakes do not work with WD, so the search on the internet started and found Equalizer. JAK, have you had any issues or worries about the hitch? Any information you can provide would be amazing! Thanks everyone for helping a newbie out... |
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