Hello Everyone— I'm not new to RVing but I am new to towing a trailer. My new "Canned Ham" 10.5 feet long pulls nicelyby my GMC Sonoma—but here is the question: The trailer rides too low in front and the truck too low in back. Weight equalizer trunnion bars come in many many sizes. Should I buy a set that is made for a bigger trailer that I hope to have another year? Will I have trouble with the big trunions on a smaller trailer? Anybody got experience with that? Thanks from Bill—Hello from Virginia Beach.
Jim01 said
05:20 AM Sep 27, 2009
Welcome to the forum!
For the best ride, you should buy the bars that most closely match the tongue weight of your trailer.
Years ago when we had trailers, the dealer traded bars with me to match the new trailer that I had purchased from him.
Jim
-- Edited by Jim01 on Sunday 27th of September 2009 05:21:59 AM
RonC said
03:04 PM Oct 16, 2017
Recommend this thread be closed.
Bill and Linda said
05:37 PM Oct 16, 2017
AhearnArts wrote:
Hello Everyone— I'm not new to RVing but I am new to towing a trailer. My new "Canned Ham" 10.5 feet long pulls nicelyby my GMC Sonoma—but here is the question: The trailer rides too low in front and the truck too low in back. Weight equalizer trunnion bars come in many many sizes. Should I buy a set that is made for a bigger trailer that I hope to have another year? Will I have trouble with the big trunions on a smaller trailer? Anybody got experience with that?
Well, a bit more to this then just the right weight bars -
First, the secret to a level trailer and tow vehicle is tow vehicle ball height.
Level the trailer without the tow vehicle. Put a ruler from the ground to the top of the inside of the trailer's ball hitch. I.e. up in the female receiver of the ball on the trailer. Whatever that number is - say 19" if its a typical Airstream - the top of the ball height of the tow vehicle - WITHOUT the trailer - should be that exact height. 19" is a typical number for an Airstream.
With the tow ball height vehicle properly set - set by bolts or a welding torch - one way or another - when the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle the equalizer bars are then put under tension, by choosing the correct link in the chains or bolt holes - whatever - to level the front of the trailer which will then level the rear of the tow vehicle. If the ball height is NOT proper for the hitch height of trailer the two will never run level or tow properly - in fact - it can be very dangerous if the rear of the tow vehicle is low thus raising the front wheels of the tow vehicle thus impairing steering control.
To your exact question concerning bar size, best to always choose the right size. But in reality one size up, weight wise is probably OK. The major point is to have the correct size tow vehicle hitch size which is nominally Class III or Class IV. But check with dealer. Changing these equalizer bars isn't all that expensive. But too big can be almost as bad as too small as to ride quality and safety. Also best to install a sway bar / damper - of whatever design - to keep the trailer "wag" under control.
All that said, this tow vehicle ball height match to the trailer is absolutely critical to safe towing. The equalizer bars only properly level and equalize the load between the trailer and the tow vehicle when the hitch heights match. One can not safely use the equalizer bars to "level" the rig with mis-matched ball / hitch heights. Using the bars to try and level the rig with mis-matched ball to hitch heights is dangerous. Yes, I hate to say it: "Ask me how I know this" some 30+ years ago.
For the best ride, you should buy the bars that most closely match the tongue weight of your trailer.
Years ago when we had trailers, the dealer traded bars with me to match the new trailer that I had purchased from him.
Jim
-- Edited by Jim01 on Sunday 27th of September 2009 05:21:59 AM
Well, a bit more to this then just the right weight bars -
First, the secret to a level trailer and tow vehicle is tow vehicle ball height.
Level the trailer without the tow vehicle. Put a ruler from the ground to the top of the inside of the trailer's ball hitch. I.e. up in the female receiver of the ball on the trailer. Whatever that number is - say 19" if its a typical Airstream - the top of the ball height of the tow vehicle - WITHOUT the trailer - should be that exact height. 19" is a typical number for an Airstream.
With the tow ball height vehicle properly set - set by bolts or a welding torch - one way or another - when the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle the equalizer bars are then put under tension, by choosing the correct link in the chains or bolt holes - whatever - to level the front of the trailer which will then level the rear of the tow vehicle. If the ball height is NOT proper for the hitch height of trailer the two will never run level or tow properly - in fact - it can be very dangerous if the rear of the tow vehicle is low thus raising the front wheels of the tow vehicle thus impairing steering control.
To your exact question concerning bar size, best to always choose the right size. But in reality one size up, weight wise is probably OK. The major point is to have the correct size tow vehicle hitch size which is nominally Class III or Class IV. But check with dealer. Changing these equalizer bars isn't all that expensive. But too big can be almost as bad as too small as to ride quality and safety. Also best to install a sway bar / damper - of whatever design - to keep the trailer "wag" under control.
All that said, this tow vehicle ball height match to the trailer is absolutely critical to safe towing. The equalizer bars only properly level and equalize the load between the trailer and the tow vehicle when the hitch heights match. One can not safely use the equalizer bars to "level" the rig with mis-matched ball / hitch heights. Using the bars to try and level the rig with mis-matched ball to hitch heights is dangerous. Yes, I hate to say it: "Ask me how I know this" some 30+ years ago.
Hope this helps.
Bill