equalizer hitches

[skihor]

We are about to enter the world of food vending. Trailer will be around 6K. '67 mci with the "I hope is good enough" hitch. I don't see how it could designed/built better and have towed 3500#/350# tongue weight all over this country with no issues. What are your opinions on using an equalizer hitch ? I'm just trying to cut down on tongue weight.

Don & Sheila

[bevans6]

You probably know this already, but equalizer hitches don't really cut down on tongue weight, they use leverage to transfer it off the rear wheels of the tow vehicle.  All the weight and then some is still there.  There are many who suggest that since you have (presumably) an air-adjustable rear suspension, an equalizer hitch is moot, there will be no difference to rear ride height, so who cares?

Here is what I think, and with that and a buck you still can't get a cup of coffee and McD's...  I think the over-riding action of an equalizer hitch is to create a upward torque at the hitch beam roughly equivalent to the downward torque of the tongue weight.  That will reduce/eliminate the twisting effort that the hitch beam is using to tear itself off of your chassis, however that is fabricated.  If you look closely at how your hitch is engineered, you will be able to see what effect that leverage might have, pro or con.  I personally will use an equalizing hitch and it will be set up to effectively neutralize that torque impact on the hitch beam.  Remember, though - it is only truly doing what you want on level ground.  Go over a dip and it can twist the hitch with up to twice the force - go over a rise, and it becomes ineffective.  The tongue weight is still there, so your hitch has to be up to the task.  An equalizer hitch isn't a cure for the problem, just helps with some of the symptoms.

Brian

[belfert]

My understanding (could be wrong) of an equalizer / weight distributing hitch is that it acts sorta like a lever that helps distribute more weight to the front axle so the steer axle will have enough weight on it to steer properly.  I would think this lever action would put more stress on the mounting points of the hitch and on an MCI the hitch is often attached to the engine cradle which is a weak point.  They do also add various levels of sway control depending on which exact hitch is used.

I chose not to use a weight distributing hitch with my trailer since I don't need to move weight to the front axle.  I also don't think sway would be an issue with the size of the tow vehicle.  I did use an expensive sway control hitch when I had my F-350 and travel trailer.

[chev49]

For the bus, I don't think 6-700 lbs hitch weight will be an issue, since i normally have 4-500 lbs all the time and i can't tell the difference... It is no difference than driving around with two very healthy people sitting on the rear bumper...   I have equalizer hitch, but only use it on the half ton pickup and not even on the 1 ton dualie...
Just what works for me...