Equalizer Weight Distribution Hitch - Worthwhile on a Ram 1500

[Snowback]

Greetings Wise Haulers!

We recently picked up a tract that needed a little more HP and weight for tractoring than my stout little Max 25 could provide, but I did not want to have to go buy a 3/4 ton or 1 ton pick-up to haul a bigger tractor. It was time for a little research. A quick, but fairly exhaustive effort keyed me on to what was needed for a half ton to manage a loaded 20' Medium duty trailer, (10,000+/- pound capacity). Bumper pull was my only reasonable option for this half ton truck, and at this length the tongue weight can get up there, especially when hauling multiple implements.

This trailer is loaded with the unit that will be tackling the new property. A Mahindra 2538 with FEL, Med Duty 6' Cutter, 6' HD Box Blade, and a 60" Grapple. It all registers at +/- 8,400 pounds incl trailer and chains/binders. The picture shows that there is probably more than 10% on the tongue.

Note the hitch - it is a 1,400# hitch / 14,000# total Equalizer. Equal-i-zer® Hitch - The ?American Original? with 4-Point Sway Control? and Weight Distribution

I can absolutely vouch for this unit. Without the Equalizer WDH the coil sprung Ram would have been on its bump stops, but with the torsion bars cranked pretty good, the truck rode essentially level with only moderate squat and nice ride along with sway control. Power and braking are not an issue, but without the WDH there is no way I could have hauled this load. (Sorry I did not get any pics of the truck and trailer before and after Bar hookup - I was focusing on pics of the new family member as opposed to how it was hauled home...) Nonetheless, I can vouch for the fact that a coil sprung half ton can nicely haul 8,000 - 9,000# worth of kit if using a WDH.

Now it's decision time. Even though I think this works great so far, I am considering a very simple, manual control air bag setup so that I can take a little torque off the bars and still have an acceptable amount of squat with a good ride. Might help with the quick Interstate hauls up to property. Anyone have any experience or wisdom to share regarding something simple like this?

https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/60818/

Looks like a simple and relatively inexpensive way to get about 1,000 pounds of capacity back on the Ram.

Thanks in advance all, and stay safe!

 

[Bird]

The weight distributing hitch set up does just what its name says; distributes the weight to all 4 wheels of the truck. I only used such a system for travel trailers myself, on a 4-door Oldsmobile and a Chrysler station wagon as well as a Chevy pickup. And the air bags will certainly enable your truck to haul more weight without the rear end sagging.

But I guess you know that such systems do nothing to increase the load capacity of your tires and wheels and brakes.

 

[Storm56]

I have the Equalizer hitch along with air bags on a 3/4 ton HD pickup to deal with some loads I haul. They work very well together. IMO you would find the addition of the airbags a worthwhile addition.

 

[LD1]

Both options have the ability to make the truck ride level.

The WD hitch takes weight OFF the rear axle to do so
The air bags do no.

Go to a scale, with it loaded as tongue heavy as you ever will load it, and take the tension off the torsion bars. Weigh the weight on the rear axle. Compare that to what its rated for and what the tires are good for. If within the range, air bags would be fine. If over the limits, bags arent gonna change that only a WD hitch will

 

[Egon]

I have the Equalizer hitch along with air bags on a 3/4 ton HD pickup to deal with some loads I haul. They work very well together. IMO you would find the addition of the airbags a worthwhile addition.

My situation is identical. The air bags really do help levelling and side sway.

 

[s219]

It's my opinion that you are making things a lot more difficult by having the tractor too far forward on the trailer. Especially with a front loader and grapple making the tractor even more nose heavy. I'd try to get the weight distribution sorted out before worrying about anything else. It really looks way off. This may be a case where you need to back on, or load the bush hog up front, independent from the tractor.

The WD hitch should be used to make the tow vehicle behave better with proper tongue weight. I don't think it should be used as a crutch to compensate for too much tongue weight.

The CG of most compact tractors with front loader is just in front of the seat. Maybe a little more forward in your case because of the grapple. Do whatever it takes to get that point more or less between the trailer axles. You will find that +/- 6" from that position can very effectively tune your balance and tongue weight to be perfect.

The effect of implements on the CG and trailer balance is different whether the implement is still in the air or down on the deck. That can be used to adjust things as well.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would skip the bags. What you are doing is right. I haul 10,400# all the time with my F150 Ecoboost on a 12K trailer. It's about balance.

Chris

 

[Mikeeemo]

Place the box blade in the bed of the truck, fold the tail wheel of the mower up, then back on.

You are carrying too much on the front of the trailer, in my opinion.

I would still use the WD hitch.

You may have to leave something behind.

I have a 24 foot trailer and I have the same problem.

 

[Snowback]

Thank you all for the input everyone. Very thoughtful and helpful.

Agreed with all who noted this was not a great loading set up. I was trying to get a "worst case scenario" test done as I only had about 15 miles to run. Was just curious what I might be able to push things to on short hauls. I think the conclusion for me is IF this were the only setup I could arrange, then I could probably haul comfortably if taking it somewhat easy. But I agree with all of the valid points and suggestions here as well.

If hauling the same full set of implements next time I think I will try the back-in set up for comparison. Will probably leave box blade up front, (truck bed is only 5'7"), and then back in with the cutter raised and ride it up and partially over the box to rest it on. Not ideal, but should get more weight over the axles. The cutter is medium duty and fairly beefy with bracing, so I don't think that will cause too much stress on it. This picture shows there should be enough clearance as long as I roll the box forward on its front face and have the tall hitch side of the box flat on the trailer.

I have E rated Terra Grapplers on the truck and was running them at 40 psi, but need to get them up to 60 perhaps for the long hauls. The truck's tow rating is right at +/- 8,300 pounds and that is likely a bit conservative, so as long as there is no drag racing or trying to stop short it should be fine. Also have the trailer brake controller which helps keep things in check with the electric brake on that trailer.

These half ton Rams are great and ride like cars with their coil springs, but a little weight in the back or on the hitch does tend to cause any preload to disappear, so I think I will try the helper bags as well. A guy can get the manual fill kit for less than a hundred bucks so I think I'll give it a shot. Heck - then i can even put a four wheeler in the box of the truck when heading out!

Below is a shot of the tow rig. (At last year's Christmas parade hence the antlers and bows...). That trailer is a lighter toy hauler than what is used for the tractor, and it has never really posed problems with the light equipment it hauls.

I could use a longer drop shank when hauling that shorter trailer, and having the helper bags could justify that as well since my excuse for the downward rear rake has always been for preloading when putting all the kid's quads on there. (Truck has about an inch of standard rake.)

Thanks again guys!

 

[Ron50]

I'll second Diamond Pilot. Air bags can give you a false sense of security. I haul a similar load with my F150 with about 9k for trailer weight and 10-12% tongue weight on a 20' trailer. When hauling tractor with 6' bush hog the mower sits flat on the deck with about 3' of over hang. Four feet is legal with a flag for day and a light for night after that. Go weigh your PU empty and then load up and weigh to get your axel and tongue weights correct. Do this and then drive it for awhile before you buy the air bags. I'm definately in favor of weight distribution hitches for todays half ton pickups. The Rams are nice pickups, but at the lower end of the load carrying scale.