| Author | Post |
|---|
Fishin Geezer
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: |  |
|
#1 Posted: Thu Oct 27th, 2005 07:31 |
|
What weights are you other 30U owners dealing with? When pretty heavily loaded, 1/2 tank fresh water and some (?) black water, I weighed in at 1400# tongue weight and about 10,000# total trailer weight.
I just today installed a Putnam XDR receiver hitch on my 2500HD pickup to replace the wimpy OEM item. I'm now trying to decide what to use to replace my 1400# Husky WD hitch. Looks like the Hensley Arrow adds too much hitch weight for it's bars, the Equal-I-zer offers only 1400# rating, and the Reese DC seems awfully complicated.
So, anyone else as heavy as I and how do you deal with it??
|
Tsckey
Member
|
#2 Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2005 00:56 |
|
The Equal-i-zer with the 1,400lbs bars with do fine. I usually tow with full water and supplies aboard and though I haven’t weighed the trailer as equipped, based on your weights I’m probably around 10,500lbs. The 30U is very stable in tow and the hitch matches its characteristics beautifully.
TC
____________________
'03 GMC D/A Ex Cab SB 4x4, Bilsteins, BedRug, Leer Shell, Edge Juice, ISSPRO Pyro and Boost gauges, Caterpillar Fuel Filter, Oilguard bypass, Titan V Receiver, Equal-i-zer, TTT mirrors, and, best for last, Arctic Fox 30U
|
itsrip
Member
|
#3 Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2005 01:32 |
|
We will pick up our 30u tomorrow morning will weight tong empty have scales here at home to so an then loaded we will be using Equal-i-zer with the 1,400lbs Rip & Susie
____________________
2004 Chevy Silverado Chev DA SB CC 4X4
2006 Artic Fox 30u 1400 lb Equal-l-zer/Prodigy
SCCA C/P autocross car
|
Duraduk
Member
| Joined: | Fri Dec 19th, 2003 |
| Location: | San Marcos, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 178 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: |   |
|
#4 Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2005 01:52 |
|
I have towed a 30 U for almost 2.5 years. Use the equalizer 1400 lb. hitch set up. I upgraded to the Putnam IV. Cheap insurance of the GM set up which is rated at 1200 lbs.
My trailer weight is usually at about 9700 with a hitch weight of 1500.
I had the equalizer hitch head reinforced by a quality welding shop. They double the thinkness of all the steel and welds in the bracket that bolts to the stinger. Inspect all welds everytime you hitch up. If there is a problem the paint on the hitch will crack and you should see rust in the area.
I am going to add some storage on the back to off set some of the tounge weight.....
Be safe out there!
____________________
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THOSE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE
2003 Chev. Duramax Crew Cab
2003 Arctic Fox 30U
Equalizer/Prodigy
GO DUCKS!
|
kj
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jul 15th, 2004 |
| Location: | Redmond, Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 487 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
#5 Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2005 04:18 |
|
| I use EZLift 1400# without any problems. I've not weighed just the tounge but the electric jack sure pulls. I would not have this trailer without electric tongue jack!
____________________
'03 AF 30U; '05 F250ExCab PSD 4x
GO BEAVERS!!!!
|
Fishin Geezer
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
#6 Posted: Fri Oct 28th, 2005 16:41 |
|
Thanks All. Sounds like my weights are in the right ball park and that the Equal-i-zer hitch will provide adequate sway control.
Duraduk: Any photos of your reinforced hitch? Not having seen one, I don't get the picture. And did your welder or you do the re-paint? Probably just a spray can of black exterior paint?
And what prompted your improvements? Rumors of weakness, or just general precautions?
|
Duraduk
Member
| Joined: | Fri Dec 19th, 2003 |
| Location: | San Marcos, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 178 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
#7 Posted: Wed Nov 2nd, 2005 04:51 |
|
I unfortunately made a miscalculation when I was dry camping out in the middle of Nevada desert. The place we were going to dump the black and grey water at was closed. The tanks were full and I had to drive about 100 miles on rough roads to get to a dump. This caused a huge increase in hitch weight over the average 1500 lb. my 30U runs. I guess it was probably close to 2000 lbs.
I noticed cracks in the paint on the hitch head after I got rid of my water. The cracks were on the top where the acutal head is welded to the bracket that bolts to the adjustable stinger. This indicated that the weld in that area had been stressed.
There were no problems the rest of the way home and I took the assembly to a very good welding shop. They examined the crack and confirmed a small crack had started to form on each side of the bracket at the top. They cleaned the weld out and doubled the thickness of the bracket and welds where they attached to the hitchhead area.
The secret is not to put yourself in such a position. The 30 u tounge weight is very heavy on its on and there is no need to push it.
Larry
____________________
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THOSE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE
2003 Chev. Duramax Crew Cab
2003 Arctic Fox 30U
Equalizer/Prodigy
GO DUCKS!
|
Fishin Geezer
Guest
$user_ctitle
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
#8 Posted: Wed Nov 2nd, 2005 17:10 |
|
Thanks, Larry!! Very interesting. I wouldn't know how to avoid such a circumstance. You had a plan that fell apart, then did what you had to do. Second guessing, I'd probably have found a place where no one was looking and dumped at least the gray water and probably any remaining fresh water.
Good that you're the observant type. I've been towing a travel trailer for nearly 10 years now and, before coming to sites like this, I never thought to inspect the hitch for weakness!
Incidentally, I finally made my new hitch decision. After months of indecision, I decided to try the Hensley Arrow (for 60 days, anyway). I'm sure my 30U will overload it's 1400# bars but my new Putnam XDR should be capable. We'll see.
Frank
|
Duraduk
Member
| Joined: | Fri Dec 19th, 2003 |
| Location: | San Marcos, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 178 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
| Mana: | |
|
#9 Posted: Wed Nov 2nd, 2005 17:36 |
|
You are right about the grey......should have done it differently. I now have one of those portable black water containers and I'm considering a macerator pump. That way you can get it to a toilet if one is available.
I've pulled over 30 yrs. and have made a lot of mistakes. I am not anal about inspections but make it a point to look over everything as I'm doing it....like hitching up to see if there are any changes. That is why routine maintenance like painting those parts are important. If paint seperates and you get rust at the seperation there is flexing in that weld. I have routines and follow them which leads to a safer trip.
I am sure you will enjoy the HA. One of these days maybe. I have had no problems with the e-qual-izer.
Larry
____________________
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THOSE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE
2003 Chev. Duramax Crew Cab
2003 Arctic Fox 30U
Equalizer/Prodigy
GO DUCKS!
|
Current time is 23:45 | |
|
