Help selecting correct Equalizer weight distribution bars for Grand Design 2500RL

[OnTheRoad88]

Hello,

I have been lurking the forums for about a year and a half now and have decided to finally reach out for some expert advice. I have been towing a 2019 Grand Design 2500RL with a 2020 Silverado 2500HD Duramax for the last year. I feel like the truck and trailer are a great match. I have an E4 Equalizer hitch with 1000 lb bars which was recommended by my local dealership. I had asked for 1200 lb bars initially when doing research before buying the trailer, but was advised this was likely overkill and would result in a harsher ride. While I never felt unsafe towing the trailer, I have felt the towing experience could be improved. I have set the hitch up myself and followed all of the directions in the equalizer manual to return to front end back to >50% unhitched height which was through the use of 6 washers in the hitch head. The bars do sit parallel on the frame brackets. The truck and trailer are sitting nearly level. I decided to make my first trip to a CAT scale this past weekend as it was going to be windy (10-15 mph sustained winds with some 20-25 mph gust) and experiment with water in my tanks to provide some ballast and to get some actual hard numbers. I would like to travel with at least 1/3-1/2 tank full of fresh water for unplanned over night stops and bathroom breaks. The truck and trailer were loaded down ready to go camping (minus probably 100-150 lbs of clothes and food/beer). My weights are listed below with 1/3-1/2 fresh water tanks and nearly empty black/grey tanks:

Truck itself:
Steer axle: 4920 lb
Drive axle: 3640 lb
Total Axle: 8560 lb

Truck and trailer w/o WD engaged:
Steer axle: 4500 lb
Drive axle: 5100 lb
Trailer Axle: 5940 lb
Total Axle: 15540 lb

Truck and trailer w/ WD engaged:
Steer axle: 4720 lb
Drive axle: 4760 lb
Trailer axle: 6060 lb
Total axle: 15540 lb

After reviewing the numbers I have returned >50% weight back to the front axle, although not all of the weight. Honestly the trailer felt great towing with these numbers. It seems the more water in the fresh tank, the more stable the rigs feels. There is no sway and it tracks great behind the truck. I had it out on the highway at 60 mph and on curvy two lane rural roads. I could tell a major difference with water in the fresh tank on a windy day vs no water. The disturbing part was that I am over tongue weight by about 40 lbs (total tongue weight 1040 lbs), which I never would have dreamed. The 2500RL fresh water tank is far forward on the trailer and seems to add quite a bit of tongue weight. I would hate to be in a situation where I could not dump my black/grey tanks leaving a park as that would even further increase the tongue weight. I am considering adding a second battery and bike rack up front (more tongue weight!). I feel I likely need to go up to 1200 lbs minimum on the equalizer hitch but do worry about harshness of the ride. I would appreciate any recommendations from those of you with more experience. Happy travels!

 

[Chewwi]

Hello,

I have been lurking the forums for about a year and a half now and have decided to finally reach out for some expert advice. I have been towing a 2019 Grand Design 2500RL with a 2020 Silverado 2500HD Duramax for the last year. I feel like the truck and trailer are a great match. I have an E4 Equalizer hitch with 1000 lb bars which was recommended by my local dealership. I had asked for 1200 lb bars initially when doing research before buying the trailer, but was advised this was likely overkill and would result in a harsher ride. While I never felt unsafe towing the trailer, I have felt the towing experience could be improved. I have set the hitch up myself and followed all of the directions in the equalizer manual to return to front end back to >50% unhitched height which was through the use of 6 washers in the hitch head. The bars do sit parallel on the frame brackets. The truck and trailer are sitting nearly level. I decided to make my first trip to a CAT scale this past weekend as it was going to be windy (10-15 mph sustained winds with some 20-25 mph gust) and experiment with water in my tanks to provide some ballast and to get some actual hard numbers. I would like to travel with at least 1/3-1/2 tank full of fresh water for unplanned over night stops and bathroom breaks. The truck and trailer were loaded down ready to go camping (minus probably 100-150 lbs of clothes and food/beer). My weights are listed below with 1/3-1/2 fresh water tanks and nearly empty black/grey tanks:

Truck itself:
Steer axle: 4920 lb
Drive axle: 3640 lb
Total Axle: 8560 lb

Truck and trailer w/o WD engaged:
Steer axle: 4500 lb
Drive axle: 5100 lb
Trailer Axle: 5940 lb
Total Axle: 15540 lb

Truck and trailer w/ WD engaged:
Steer axle: 4720 lb
Drive axle: 4760 lb
Trailer axle: 6060 lb
Total axle: 15540 lb

After reviewing the numbers I have returned >50% weight back to the front axle, although not all of the weight. Honestly the trailer felt great towing with these numbers. It seems the more water in the fresh tank, the more stable the rigs feels. There is no sway and it tracks great behind the truck. I had it out on the highway at 60 mph and on curvy two lane rural roads. I could tell a major difference with water in the fresh tank on a windy day vs no water. The disturbing part was that I am over tongue weight by about 40 lbs (total tongue weight 1040 lbs), which I never would have dreamed. The 2500RL fresh water tank is far forward on the trailer and seems to add quite a bit of tongue weight. I would hate to be in a situation where I could not dump my black/grey tanks leaving a park as that would even further increase the tongue weight. I am considering adding a second battery and bike rack up front (more tongue weight!). I feel I likely need to go up to 1200 lbs minimum on the equalizer hitch but do worry about harshness of the ride. I would appreciate any recommendations from those of you with more experience. Happy travels!

Edited due to math error.

I’m also not familiar with the fresh water tanks location on the 2500RL, but based on similarity to our 2600RB, I expect it is just forward of the front axle. If so, it doesn’t add that much to tongue weight.

2020 2600RB,
2017 Silverado Crew Cab 1500, 6.2L

 

[NB Canada]

Edited due to math error.

I’m also not familiar with the fresh water tanks location on the 2500RL, but based on similarity to our 2600RB, I expect it is just forward of the front axle. If so, it doesn’t add that much to tongue weight.

2020 2600RB,
2017 Silverado Crew Cab 1500, 6.2L

Where are you coming up with 7980lbs?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[OnTheRoad88]

Fresh water tank on the 2500RL appear to be the farthest forward tank as the dump valve is located just behind the front passthrough door on the driver's side. I was trying to find a schematic of tank locations but have been unsuccessful. Fresh water tank holds 56 gallons, which would be roughly an additional 450 lbs of weight. Per the CAT scale that without any water in the tank my tongue weight was coming in near the 820 lb mark. Thank you for the reply!

 

[OnTheRoad88]

it looks like he edited his post. I should be fine on the front and rear axles with this truck. Door sticker states GVWR of 10000 lbs, GAWR FRT 5200 lbs, and GAWR of 6200 lbs.

 

[Chewwi]

it looks like he edited his post. I should be fine on the front and rear axles with this truck. Door sticker states GVWR of 10000 lbs, GAWR FRT 5200 lbs, and GAWR of 6200 lbs.

Yeah, my initial math was fubar. Thought your RV might be over its GVWR, not your tow vehicles GVWR.


2020 2600RB,
2017 Silverado Crew Cab 1500, 6.2L

 

[Chewwi]

Fresh water tank on the 2500RL appear to be the farthest forward tank as the dump valve is located just behind the front passthrough door on the driver's side. . . .

Just curious, where is your water pump located? I would expect it to be close to the tank.


2020 2600RB,
2017 Silverado Crew Cab 1500, 6.2L

 

[OnTheRoad88]

Water pump is located in the pass through at front of the trailer.

 

[Tigger1]

Where are you coming up with 7980lbs?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

I feel I likely need to go up to 1200 lbs minimum on the equalizer hitch but do worry about harshness of the ride. I would appreciate any recommendations from those of you with more experience.

I am curious if you have any recommendations for the OP?

 

[NB Canada]

I am curious if you have any recommendations for the OP?

I don’t as I use a Husky centreline but why are you curious?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[Tigger1]

I don’t as I use a Husky centreline but why are you curious?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

I’ve noted that you have responded to other threads about friction bar hitches in the past.

 

[NB Canada]

I’ve noted that you have responded to other threads about friction bar hitches in the past.

Okay and?
I am not allowed?

I don’t have an opinion of whether the 1200 lb bars would make his ride harsher than is 1000 lb bars because I haven’t experienced it
That is why I never once responded to the Op
My hitch the Husky has a wider range 800-1200 lbs


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[TXkmpr]

If you can just buy the 1200 lb bars and use with your existing hitch head I would recommend getting them when you add a battery and bike rack . The ride should be fine and in fact the experience will probably be better if you can get your steer axle closer to the unloaded weight.

I have the opposite situation. My trailer hitch weight is 700lb and I have a husky ts hitch rated for 800-1200 on. I towed today with some 700-800 lb bars and the experience was definitely better.

Since you know your hitch weight just use the appropriate hitch weight rating and it will be as good as possible. No doubt, if you cannot return your your steer axle to close to the unloaded weight your bars/hitch are too light.

 

[NB Canada]

If you can just buy the 1200 lb bars and use with your existing hitch head I would recommend getting them when you add a battery and bike rack . The ride should be fine and in fact the experience will probably be better if you can get your steer axle closer to the unloaded weight.

I have the opposite situation. My trailer hitch weight is 700lb and I have a husky ts hitch rated for 800-1200 on. I towed today with some 700-800 lb bars and the experience was definitely better.

Since you know your hitch weight just use the appropriate hitch weight rating and it will be as good as possible. No doubt, if you cannot return your your steer axle to close to the unloaded weight your bars/hitch are too light.

That is interesting you found lighter bars better

I have the same 800-1200 bars and the tongue weight on the 2400 was only 540lb. First drive home was flawless


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[OnTheRoad88]

If you can just buy the 1200 lb bars and use with your existing hitch head I would recommend getting them when you add a battery and bike rack . The ride should be fine and in fact the experience will probably be better if you can get your steer axle closer to the unloaded weight.

I have the opposite situation. My trailer hitch weight is 700lb and I have a husky ts hitch rated for 800-1200 on. I towed today with some 700-800 lb bars and the experience was definitely better.

Since you know your hitch weight just use the appropriate hitch weight rating and it will be as good as possible. No doubt, if you cannot return your your steer axle to close to the unloaded weight your bars/hitch are too light.

Unfortunately, the friction bars on the E4 are not interchangeable. I will need to buy new bars and a new head to the tune of about $600. A real flaw of the Equalizer system in my opinion, but lucrative for the company I suppose. I may look into the husky center line. Thanks for your response.

 

[BobnColo]

I am not a fan of bigger is necessarily better. I have a 2970 rl and tow with a f150 3.5 short bed with max tow. I have the eq4 with 1000 bars. I thought I would have to go with heavier bars but after this first trip from Cortez Co to Camp Verde Az, I think I have a perfect setup. Front end is 1/4” from stock height with 1/2 tank of water and all other accoutrements for our style of camping. Pulled fantastic at freeway speeds, with passing semi’s and a little wind. Setup is everything. Experience doesn’t hurt either but another topic all together.

 

[OnTheRoad88]

I am not a fan of bigger is necessarily better. I have a 2970 rl and tow with a f150 3.5 short bed with max tow. I have the eq4 with 1000 bars. I thought I would have to go with heavier bars but after this first trip from Cortez Co to Camp Verde Az, I think I have a perfect setup. Front end is 1/4” from stock height with 1/2 tank of water and all other accoutrements for our style of camping. Pulled fantastic at freeway speeds, with passing semi’s and a little wind. Setup is everything. Experience doesn’t hurt either but another topic all together.

Thank you for your input. For anyone wanting an update I took the plunge on a ProPride after a lot of research. Decided on the 1400 lb bars giving me a wide tongue weight range of 800-1400 lbs. I can now travel with a full tank of water worry free. Any wiggle or sway is completely gone and honestly the change is astounding. I still feel like the equalizer is a great hitch in certain setups, I just couldn’t get it to work to my satisfaction. Happy travels!

 

[rockerga]

Always stick with bars & a hitch that are rated for within your exact weights. Not rated for the next step up weight and absolutely not less.
The Equalizer 4point hitch is the best by a long shot IMHO of over 20 years of towing a TT.
I now own a fifth wheel now or I would be using them again.

 

[dbphillips]

Are all of the weights measured, or are some calculated? And if calculated, which ones?


By 1000 and 1200 Equalizer arms, do you mean 10k or 12k models? I think 10k was sold out when I got mine, so I got the 12k and it seems fine on the Benz. Not harsh. A little creaky/clunky, but I don't know that's any different from the 10k. Not sure what the Airmatic suspension is doing to accommodate, though.

 

[BigSam]

I have a 2021 2500rl. Using the E2 hitch with 1000 lb round bar. The 1000lb bar is supposed to be good for a trailer weighing up to 10,000 lbs. the max weight for a loaded 2500 is 7500 lbs.

I’m pulling with a 2020 F150 with a 2060lb carry capacity. Just went from basically Memphis to Key West with no problems, no white knuckles. I do drive 5mph below posted speed limits on the Interstate. Not because of the drive, but 65 just seems to be a sweet spot for gas mileage and noice.