Issue of frame damage cause by weight distribution hitch

[littleapple]

I use an Equal-i-zer brand WDH and anti-sway hitch. I've recently read several stories about the WDH, when going over inclines like a step entrance into a gas station or rough roads, causing enough stress between the tow vehicle and the trailer frame to cause the trailer frame to bend. I've seen several pictures where owners said the frame collapse was caused by the WDH. I'm not an engineer so I've got to ask what is probably a stupid question. But here's my question. The two torsion bars on the Equal-i-zer WDH are what distribute the weight between the trailer and the tow vehicle. While these two bars are heavy-duty, I don't think they are nearly as heavy-duty as the trailer's frame. So, in a situation like a steep driveway entrance, why would the torsion bars not bend first rather than the trailer frame bending?

 

[DougW9876]

A few possibilities I can think of; Torsion bars that re for a heavier trailer, such as using 2,000lb bars on a trailer with 1,000lb tongue weight. Trailer frame is not strong enough, and going through the steep entrance or rough road too fast.

 

[RV2600RB]

One of the reasons why I don’t use the bars.
Rich

 

[goducks14]

I have 19,000 miles on my TT using a Blue Ox WDH with 2000 lb bars. Hitch weight is around 1350 lbs. Zero frame issues. IMO it's about the frame itself. Who made it and how it was built. It's very common for frame makers to put out a junker once in a while. Considering that most TT's are towed using a WDH and that there's a junker frame made once in a while I'd blame the frame before the use of a WDH.
Pulling into a gas station or even the occasional steep off angle slope shouldn't make a difference.

However if someone is putting the tow vehicle and trailer in a big V position on a daily basis that could have an impact.

I hitch up in a mild V position at home. But I don't tighten the spring bars till I pull out into the street where the truck and TT are level. PITA but it is what it is.

As far as the EQ bars not bending. I've used an EQ in the past and when hitching I don't remember them bending much at all. With my Blue Ox WDH which has round bars that taper to a thinner end they bend a lot after hitched. I could see a non bending bar putting more stress on the TT. I did use 2.5 years and around 10,000 miles with zero issues. I still think it's the frame deficiencies that are the issue.

I know at least from the limited reading that I've done about Airstreams that many won't use an EQ because it puts too much stress on the rivets.

 

[huntindog]

I used the EQUALIZER hitch from 1992 -2020 when I got a 5th wheel. I had the 10K, 12K and 14K versions in order as my TTs got bigger.
My second TT, a 2001 Fleetwood Wilderness specified in the manual the bar weights that were permissable, depending on the frame sizes. My other TTs were silent on the matter.
I never had any issues using the correct size for the load.
However I often read of users buying a bigger size than they currently need, so they do not have to buy a new hitch when they upsize TTs.

Doing this is asking for trouble.
I always sold my old hitches with the TTs and bought a new properly sized one for my new one.
Hitches are like shoes.... You gotta get the right size for a proper fit