stealman1

Im looking to get a 20' toy hauler. 5200 lbs. dry and 1200 lbs. tung. If I get it I want the equalizer hitch. Not sure which weight to get. According to the tung weight I would need the 1400-14000, but the over all weight is much less. Would you suggest this one or the 1200-12000?

Bonshawman

Assuming a 10% transfer, if the empty trailer weight is 5,200#, that is 520# to the hitch.

If the tongue weight on the trailer w/cargo (10%) is 1,200#, that means a maximum gross laden weight of 12,000# ?

I err, when possible, on the side of caution. If you think your transfer is 10%, and your weight is 12,000 to 14,000# (meaning a transfer of 1,200 - 1,400#), I would go with the heavier.

SundayMoney

Until you load it up and run it across the scales,you really won't know what you'll need.

It might have 1200lbs of TW now,but once you start loading toys behind the axle,what it the TW gonna be?

Another thing to consider,is that you don't transfer all the TW to the front of the truck.

I'd bet something in the 750lb range will be enough.

stumpjumper

always go more than you need. you never know when you actually will need it. for example my fifth hitch is good to 16k. my trailer only weighs 9900 fully loaded and fully stocked.

stealman1

If I need the trailer to figure out which hitch to get how do I tow the trailer? Is it recommended to just get the heaviest rated hitch to be safe?

CamperAndy

No, if that were the case they would only make one size. You need to get one that is rated to 15% of the GROSS weight of the trailer. Do not look at the dry (empty) weight. I am guessing your gross is 8000 for a 15% tongue rating of 1200 pounds. So you want the 1200 pound set up.

gsqhtr

I have the "Equalizer" hitch and pull my TT with ease. The dealer hooked it up etc...

stealman1

Thanks for the help guys , but I am confused. How do I know that 15% of my gross is going to be on the tung? Also, Sometimes I might be full of water and fuel {this is a toy hauler} and sometimes not. I will have a different load. Im planning on picking up this trailer soon and do not have a weight distribution hitch. So what do I do? I have a standard hitch, but It only has a tung capacity of 500 lbs. same as the factory receiver. This trailer has a empty tung if close to 1200lbs. Please help. Im sure this is not as hard as it seems. Im just not familiar with larger trailers

CamperAndy

Receiver load limit is without weight distribution. You should have a class IV receiver for the tongue weight you are going to carry.

How do you know you have 15% on the tongue, well that comes with experience and you could also buy a Sherline scale to weight the tongue every time you hook up. With a normal trailer you can get a feel for how you load and it does not change much from trip to trip but with a toy hauler you never know since your loads can change so much.

stealman1

So I cant tow without weight dist. and I dont know what weight dist. to buy without loading up the trailer and weighing it. What do I do?

CamperAndy

Find the GROSS weight of the trailer and buy a weight distribution hitch that is ranged to equal 15% of the GROSS weight of the trailer. That is where you start.

stealman1

Thanks, GVWR is 10400. That puts the hitch at 1560. I dont think I will have it loaded to its capacity. More like 7000-8000. Does this put me at the 1200-12000lbs. hitch or the 1400-14000lbs.?

PaulDaisy

I simply weighed the tongue on mine (rated to 1080#) and found it to be at 1300+, so I went and bought a class V receiver and a 1400# WD hitch. I wanted a class V receiver so that I can unhook the WD if I have to and still not exceed the capacity of the hitch. Unhooking WD may be needed if crossing a ditch for example, or maneuvering in or out of a tight corner.

staarma

Toy haulers are typically heavy on the tongue when unloaded. That is so they can carry toys behind the rear axle. Take one of your ATV's with you, or whatever toy you are going to haul, and load it into the trailer to drive it home. That way you can use the stock hitch and you don't have to worry about it. Then buy whatver brand you want and mount the anchors on the trailer and hook the abrs into your hitch and add anti sway while you're at it and you're set.

ponygallery

just remember that the toung weight goes down when you have no toys in the back. The toy haulers tend to pull better when they have a few things in the back.