Which Equalizer bars?

[tnmeyer]

I've got a 2005 Tacoma DC w/tow package. It has a max tongue wt of 650 lbs. My travel trailer has a dry tonue wt of 460 lbs. Add 60 lbs propane, 2 batteries and some other things in the front storage compartment and we're probably right at 600.

The Equalizer hitch comes with either 600 or 1000 lbs bars. I would be maxing out the 600 bars, but would be WAY under the 1000 bars.

800 lbs bars would make more sense, but are not available.

Will the 1000 lbs bars be too stiff for my truck? Would they cause a poor ride, or potentiall harm the frame?

Would it be a mistake to use 600 bars with 600-625 lbs on the tongue?

Thanks,
Tim

[HotRod8]

My trailer has very similar empty and loaded tongue weights to yours, I went with the 1000 LB bars, as recommended by Equal-i-zer when I Emailed them. The ratings 600/6000, 1000/10 000 and 1200/12 000 are the maximum weights that each system should be used with.

You can contact Progress Manufacturing Inc. (the manufacturers of the Equal-i-zer brand hitch) http://www.equalizerhitch.com/support/contact.php and give them the numbers, as I did and they will recommend the hitch system for your trailer.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by tnmeyer

I've got a 2005 Tacoma DC w/tow package. It has a max tongue wt of 650 lbs. My travel trailer has a dry tonue wt of 460 lbs. Add 60 lbs propane, 2 batteries and some other things in the front storage compartment and we're probably right at 600.

The Equalizer hitch comes with either 600 or 1000 lbs bars. I would be maxing out the 600 bars, but would be WAY under the 1000 bars.

800 lbs bars would make more sense, but are not available.

Will the 1000 lbs bars be too stiff for my truck? Would they cause a poor ride, or potentiall harm the frame?

Would it be a mistake to use 600 bars with 600-625 lbs on the tongue?

Thanks,
Tim

Get the 1000 lb bars and only drop 2 or 3 links so they're not heavily loaded. If you go with the 600 lb bars, you'll have them at max deflection and still not controlling the tongue weight properly. A bar at max deflection has very little allowable movement during turns and that in turn causes binding and a bunch of other unpleasant behavior. Been there.