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campin ken
03-27-2014, 07:45 PM
ordered a summerland 1890fl ship wt 4089 lbs,cargo 2321 lbs, hitch 410 lbs
have a 2012 ram 1500 owners manuel says 5000 lbs std,7580 lbs max
is 5000 lbs reg and 7580 lbs with w\d hitch ? looking at the 10k equalizer hitch would it work ?
Thanks for any help

ROLIN JOSEPH
03-27-2014, 08:08 PM
Yes, I am confident to say that would work very well.
We used to own a Jayco 20BH which was almost identical to your Summerland, and we used a 'four point EQUAL-I-ZER - 1000' for several years with rock steady towing. "bouncey:

Western Traveler
03-27-2014, 10:36 PM
That sounds a little stiff to me and may make for a more uncomfortable ride.
I would think 8k trunnion bars would be plenty. Between the TT weight and cargo you shouldn't come close to needing that much. JMHO

ROLIN JOSEPH
03-28-2014, 07:52 AM
Western Traveler,
I believe EQUAL-I-ZER makes four different hitches designed to handle differing amounts of weight: 6000lbs, 10,000lbs, 12,000lbs and 14,000lbs.
He would have to go up to the 1000 unit. (10,000lbs.)

campin ken
03-28-2014, 11:45 AM
hi rolin
Was there much noise from where the bars ride on the brackets and did it rub the paint off causing a rust area ?
Thanks for the help

Ram189
03-28-2014, 12:38 PM
I got a little creaking and moaning from the bars on tighter turns but nothing exciting.
They did rub the paint but the rust was never too bad. I was told after I took it to the shop one time to never lube the bars let them do what they do. I had mine for like 12 or 13 years and never had a problem.

chartrand
03-28-2014, 02:03 PM
Mine creaked, DW hated it.

ROLIN JOSEPH
03-28-2014, 06:28 PM
campin ken,
Yes they do creak quite a bit. I am always applying grease to the friction points, then getting some of it on my pants.:banghead:
My wife too hates the creaking.
However, they work really well. Two years ago I had to do an emergency maneuver to avoid a very large moose while in New Brunswick. Scared the heck out of me and DW. All I can say is, we are glad we had the equalizer.
(I have no association at all with the brand)

campin ken
03-28-2014, 08:20 PM
rolin
i read somewhere and lord only knows where lol that someone put teflon pads on them wonder if those would work ?
thanks ken

Western Traveler
03-28-2014, 10:42 PM
Western Traveler,
I believe EQUAL-I-ZER makes four different hitches designed to handle differing amounts of weight: 6000lbs, 10,000lbs, 12,000lbs and 14,000lbs.
He would have to go up to the 1000 unit. (10,000lbs.)

I am not as familiar with equalizer as my Reese Dual Cam but I believe they both require downward weight for optimal performance. Our Cougar has a dry weight of over 1200 lbs more and when we hit the Cat Scales a couple of weeks ago loaded except for minimal tank usage we weighed 5460# with WDH well under our 8k trunnion bars. I can't imagine Ken needing a 10000 capacity hitch and just think the 6000 would be a better match.
(I misread the data and saw 8000 rather than 6000 in the literature).
I know Equalizer makes a great hitch though.
WT

ROLIN JOSEPH
03-29-2014, 07:03 AM
Ken,
If you buy the 1000 hitch you will be able to tweak it down to match your rig, with the washers provided. You will get a total of five to tweak with until you get good 'support'. (that's a whole subject to read about)
If you buy the lesser, 6000 unit you will not be able to tweak it up to (say) 7000 or more.
As far as Teflon is concerned; I've never heard of that, but don't forget that the whole idea of the friction points are just that! They have to provide friction to eliminate, or reduce, sway. If they are too slippery and quiet, they are not producing much in the way of sway restriction.
Do not be concerned too much about the paint getting all scratched. That's the nature of the beast. Once a year, clean it up and dress it up a bit with some rust inhibiting spray paint to keep it looking 'nice'.:)

Fixjet
03-29-2014, 07:33 AM
For 10 years I ran a. EQUALIZER 10K with our Outback 25 RSS max weight for us was right at 6k. It performed flawlessly the whole time. Never what I would consider a harsh ride. Noise is not an issue for me, let's me know it's working. With the EQUALIZER be more concerned about the tongue weight rating. You will more likely be pushing that limit rather than the total weight limit. That is why I moved up to the 14k with our Laredo 294 RK my tongue weight is 1200 - 1300. My 10k EQUALIZER theoretically could handle the 8600 weight but not the tongue weight. The 14k fits my tongue weight but has a total capacity way more than I need. But once again it rides find, it's not harsh. I love the simplicity of this hitch once you have it set up you kind of forget about it.