load equalizer hitch needed with a dually?

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Dunno if I got this on the right forum (Wayne, move it if you need to, my apologies)
I was shopping for a new travel trailer today, finally found one I can afford... it's a 27 foot TT GVWR about 7500, the saleslady said I ought to buy the equalizer hitch with it, and the trailer brakes. Hitch was a DrawTite priced at 395. 00. No idea if that's a good price or not... My question is, do I need it? I thought having a dually would pretty much keep me from getting jerked all over the road from trailer sway. I wouldn't know, I've never pulled anything except a bass boat, or a Bobcat on a LowBoy trailer, no sway there...

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The "Fuzzy Mule" is: 2001 Ram 3500 4x4 Quad Cab,all black(Sport pkg. ) Cummins24v, 5speed, 3. 54,all options including leather , AMSOIL Dual Remote bypass oil filter,AMSOIL air filter,Westin black nerf bars, limo tint,DeeZee Platinum toolbox painted black to match, Line-X bedliner
NRA Life/Endowment member(it's about freedom, not guns!)

 

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I tow a 32 foot travel trailer with a 99 -3500 Dodge. The equalizer hitch allows you to transfer the weight of the tongue forward and distribute it over the front and rear axles equally. This way , no matter the weight of the tongue ( within reason) your truck will be level when towing. I have one and I would recommend it to anyone.

 

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I have done extensive travel with 25' and 27' travel trailers believe me you should have an equalizing hitch and also a sway control that connects to your hitch and trailer. This will make your trailer far safer to tow and will really help driver fatigue on longer trips. don't even consider using your trailer without a brake controller and brakes on your trailer. I learned this the hard way towing a 20' boat without brakes.

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Darrel A
1999 24v,Qcab,Sbed,2wh drive,Auto,BD Brake,Auto lock,EGT Boost Trans Temp Gauges

 

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Thanks guys, that's what I needed to know... I'll get one, and a trailer brake controller too !

 

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Brian, It ain't the hitch! It's if it is properly adjusted. I wish I could go in the business of adjusting the weight distributing hitch system. The adjustment from the dealer I bought my trailer was way off. the trailer almost pushed me into every passing vehicle. I fought this for 5 trips and almost got rid of my TT. Then I decided to read the directions that came with the weight distributing system. My trailer dealer had it all wrong. End of the story! There is NO trailer push/pull when I'm passing or being passed since I adjusted the components myself. You also do not need any sway control. The proper way to get this stuff adjusted will be in the packet you get from the weight distributing hitch manufacturer. Good Luck!
PS You sure do need a brake controller.

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99' Stock Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 30K Miles.
Did have both 18-11-99 & 18-08-99 TSB's performed.
Pull a 7000# Terry 26H TT over, around and thru the Cascades.

Founder/President of the: KISS MY DIESEL CLUB. Club Motto: "There's a sucker born every minute. "

 

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When I bought my TT my dealer wouldn't even let me take it off the lot without a distribution setup. At the time I had a brand-F dually. I thought they were just trying to scam me until they offered to deliver the trailer for free and said once I got it home I could do what I wanted. This was their policy concerning liability. That kind of convinced me they weren't trying to squeeze some bucks out of me and that I really needed it.

I ended up getting the distribution setup and a sway control. The brand-F truck really needed the distribution bars but the Dodge sets pretty good without. Not a slam on the F%&D, it was just sprung softer. It did ride better empty. I still use the setup all the time on my Dodge. Like TLIPPY said, adjustment is critical. Read the instructions. I would also recommend the sway control. I've towed with and without and there is a noticeable improvement with. With all thegear my TT goes straight as an arrow. I let the wife drive all the time and she does great. Just be careful when you back up or take real tight corners, especially with the sway control on. It's very easy to bind everything up and bend the sway control.



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Chris
95 3500 CC SLT Cummins auto
TST 230hp kit, TC lockup switch, TransGo.
Isspro EGT, trans/rearend temp, boost gauges
A-Pillar Mounted
Scotty Air System, Factory Cat-Delete Pipe

 

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Another thing to think about is the tongue weight on your hitch. The sticker on my OEM hitch says 500 lbs w/o and 1000 with a weight distro hitch.

Also look at your drop hitch. I have 5 or so and they all have a maximum weight engraved on them. All of the Draw Tite drop hitches I have are rated at 5000/500 or less, depending upon the length of the drop.

My TT weights in approx 4,600 dry. A 10 to 15 % tongue weight puts me right at or just over the limit. In light of the recent recall on the OEM receivers, I decided to spend $140 on a longer adjustable part (whatever it's called) of a weight distro hitch so I can use all the other weight distro hardware that I used with my previous tow vehicle ('95 Bronco). Seems the 3500 sits just a tad higher than the Bronco.

Hal