Equil-i-zer needed?

[livinthegoodlife]

We have been using the Equil-i-zer hitch pulling a 16TBS with our FJ Cruiser. We also had a Durango.  We were recently hit by a drunk driver in our Durango and had the opportunity to replace it with a Ford F150 with 3.5L Ecoboost Turbocharged engine.  My question is the truck has sway control built in, but do we also need to use the Equil-i-zer hitch? We did take the trailer out for a test run with the truck and did notice a little bit of sway, but we didn't go that far and are a bit curious. Any info would help!

[mitch]

In my opinion this is going to be a case of do you need it, no, would it make your driving easier/less stressful, maybe yes.  I have the same truck pulling a 13 QBB but I haven't done any long trips since I got the truck. I can tell you that on the short trips I have taken the F-150 has all the power you need.

[charliem]

We have been using the Equil-i-zer hitch pulling a 16TBS with our FJ Cruiser. We also had a Durango.  We were recently hit by a drunk driver in our Durango and had the opportunity to replace it with a Ford F150 with 3.5L Ecoboost Turbocharged engine.  My question is the truck has sway control built in, but do we also need to use the Equil-i-zer hitch? We did take the trailer out for a test run with the truck and did notice a little bit of sway, but we didn't go that far and are a bit curious. Any info would help!

[font size="3"]First, +1 on your 150. Great choice for a TV. Next, as Mitch says, it's a matter of preference for you. The 150 probably doesn't "need" it, but you'll want it. It will smooth out the porpoising and bumping and yield a more relaxing drive. IMO sway control built into the truck cannot control the trailer. It works by selectively applying braking to the truck, not the trailer. If anything it will exacerbate trailer sway. In case of trailer sway the last thing you want to do is apply TV brakes. You really want trailer brakes first and that's what the manual brake controller is for. [/font]

[david]

I would first try loading the trailer to put more weight forward, increasing the tongue weight. The F150 can take the load, so you don't need an equalizing hitch. Putting more load on the tongue might remove what little sway you are feeling.

David

[whoofit]

When we stopped pulling with a smaller TV and switched to the F150 we found we needed it. We tried for several hundred miles, as David suggests, loading heavy forward, as if we have a choice in the 16DB, hoping we would not need it but finally decided to add an Andersen and never looked back. Night and day difference with sway control.

We find that our trailer tongue weight causes the F150 to squat to a perfectly level point in the front and rear so I just snug the chains on the Andersen to enable sway control. F150 is much higher in the rear unloaded. Never bounced without the Andersen though.

[drdave]

If you were asking if you needed to buy the equilizer I would have leaned against it, but since you already have it, you might as well use it!  As others have mentioned If it yeilds a more comfortable ride and possible safety factor it seems like a no brainer to keep using it.

[craigd]

Have traveled cross country with my 2015 14DBS pulled by my Chevy 1500 V8 with 0 issues and no sway control. Handles great without it. I usually run with about a half tank of fresh water unless I am going to a dry camp then it is full.

[mitch]

[quote timestamp="1464628513" source="/post/21753/thread" author="@craigd"]Have traveled cross country with my 2015 14DBS pulled by my Chevy 1500 V8 with 0 issues and no sway control. Handles great without it. I usually run with about a half tank of fresh water unless I am going to a dry camp then it is full.[/quote]This is a good point, if you're fresh tank is totally empty and you feel some sway add a half tank and I'll bet it goes away.

[drdave]

Regardless of stability it's always good to have some fresh water for a black tank emergency while traveling

[whoofit]

On mine the levels of the gray and black tank affect things. Fresh water tank is on the axles. Usually travel fresh water full to help affect the CG, add weight for braking and reduce sloshing. Might help and might not but it is comforting.

[craigd]

Regardless of stability it's always good to have some fresh water for a black tank emergency while traveling

You got that right, another one of the pleasure's of campers is having a fully functional bathroom following you down the road.

[livinthegoodlife]

Thank you everyone!I think we will stick with using the Equil-i-zer just to be on the safe side. We cancelled our trip this past weekend but have a trip planned in three weeks. Can't wait!!!