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05-22-2019, 03:34 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: Bigfoot
California
Posts: 193
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Help with Weight Distribution Hitch on Bigfoot 21RB with no storage box.
As the title says, I'm trying to figure which weight distribution hitch for my Bigfoot 21RB with no front storage. I bought the trailer used and the previous owners cut out squares in the fiberglass cover when they attached a BlueOx hitch. When I contacted Blue Ox they said I would have to cut even more off of the fiberglass to attach the hitch I wanted. No thanks on that... The huge cuts are ugly enough without having to cut more.
Grant at Bigfoot recommended the Equilizer brand hitch but the instructions for that hitch say to install brackets between 22 and 32 inches from the ball. On my trailer the wall to the battery box covers the entire area they recommend adding the bracket. Does anyone happen to have pictures of an installation of this type of hitch, on a Bigfoot without the tongue box? Attaching pictures of what mine looks like. Do people just drill through the metal to install the bracket?
I'll also post this on the Bigfoot owners club but traffic there tends to be a bit slower.
Thanks in advance!
Jon
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05-22-2019, 04:43 PM
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#2
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member
Name: J
Isle of Wight
Posts: 536
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How much does the trailer weigh - and what is the tongue weight?
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05-22-2019, 04:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: Bigfoot
California
Posts: 193
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Not sure how much it the trailer weighs but at the moment the hitch weight is about 375-400#. Of course that's completely empty no water, and 2 empty propane tanks. It has a battery but nothing in the trailer...
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05-22-2019, 11:16 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Stu
Trailer: 2003 21RB Bigfoot
Coos Bay, Oregon
Posts: 115
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I'll try to get pics up of mine by the weekend. 21RB without the box.
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05-23-2019, 07:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Russ
Trailer: 2020 25 RQ
British Columbia
Posts: 117
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Being a past owner of a 21RB, you would require the Blue Ox 750. What is their distance requirement for the bracket install along the tongue?
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05-23-2019, 11:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Sold Bigfoot. Shopping for Arctic Fox 22G
Missouri
Posts: 701
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Get a 3/4 ton tow vehicle and dispense with the equalizer hitch. Much safer towing and quicker easier hookups.
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05-23-2019, 01:00 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: Bigfoot
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ Foster
Being a past owner of a 21RB, you would require the Blue Ox 750. What is their distance requirement for the bracket install along the tongue?
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Thanks for the reply. I talked to the Blue Ox customer support. They said for my truck they recommend the Sway Pro not the round bar as the previous owners had. So that means cutting off even more of the fiberglass cover.
Have you used the Equil-i-zer brand? Grant (CEO of from Bigfoot RV) recommends the Equil-i-zer brand so I plan to stick with his recommendation. He's probably seen a Bigfoot RV or 2 in his time so I kind of trust his advice. I've also read many good recommendations from others who have it. I was just looking for help with the install.
I heard back from Grant and others have confirmed that for the Equil-i-zer hitch I will need to drill a hole in the battery box.
Thanks for the help all.
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05-23-2019, 01:54 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Name: A
Trailer: Escape
California
Posts: 18
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I've installed the Equalizer on my Escape 19 (love it by the way).
The brackets install with bolts around the frame, no drilling.
So it looks like you would have to cut a hole in the battery box to install the Equalizer, or most weight distribution hitches for that matter.
I've heard of some people welding on the bracket, so that might be an option.
I'd maybe contact Equalizer and see what they recommend.
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05-23-2019, 03:19 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: Bigfoot
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goalie39
I've installed the Equalizer on my Escape 19 (love it by the way).
The brackets install with bolts around the frame, no drilling.
So it looks like you would have to cut a hole in the battery box to install the Equalizer, or most weight distribution hitches for that matter.
I've heard of some people welding on the bracket, so that might be an option.
I'd maybe contact Equalizer and see what they recommend.
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Yep, good idea. I just contacted them and they confirmed exactly what you said. Cut/drill a small hole for the bolt, or weld the bracket on which would be permanent.
Thanks!
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05-23-2019, 03:21 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: Bigfoot
California
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce H
Get a 3/4 ton tow vehicle and dispense with the equalizer hitch. Much safer towing and quicker easier hookups.
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Great sense of humor. Some of these responses are just comical!
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05-24-2019, 04:09 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Stu
Trailer: 2003 21RB Bigfoot
Coos Bay, Oregon
Posts: 115
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Here are pics of my EAZ-Lift:
It's clamped on with a bolt on the interior of the frame. No drilling or welding required. From the center of the bracket to the tip of the coupler is about 31".
Edit: The ball bracket for the sway controller is drilled/bolted to the side of the frame (self tapping bolts).
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05-24-2019, 08:09 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Name: T
Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
Posts: 15
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Not what you asked for but this is what I did on my 21fb
Hi Jon,
I have a 21fb with weight distribution. I went a little non conventional and used a Anderson WDH. I did this after much research and talking to Grant and several others. No one told me to do the Anderson so my choice and it has worked great.
I bought and installed the model 3350 see link for information:
https://andersenhitches.com/Products...-5--6-brackets
I welded the half the bracket to the frame itself. See pictures.
I did not notch the propane cover because I figured out the cover would slip over the welded brackets. I made sure to radius the edges on the bracket that came in contact with the fiberglass to prevent to much scrubbing. The cover has a lot of flex so no issues. Lots of miles and no cracks.
This works great with my Canyon Diesel. I enjoy the sway control more than the weight distribution because the younger weight did not effect the ride height very much.
Like everyone else I struggled with a disission on a 3/4 ton but I was already pregnant with the Canyon so made it work. It’s safe and I am happy but the TW is always a personal choice so nuff said.
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05-24-2019, 08:24 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Name: T
Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
Posts: 15
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Not what you asked but here is what I did with my Anderson WDH
Anderson kit 3350.
Welded on brackets.
Propane cover slips right over welded brackets.
Lots of miles and no issues.
Please, no comments from the 3/4 gallery
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05-25-2019, 08:07 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Stu
Trailer: 2003 21RB Bigfoot
Coos Bay, Oregon
Posts: 115
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Quote:
...I was already pregnant with the Canyon so made it work.
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Wow, that must have been a difficult delivery! Good thing it wasn't a 3/4 ton
Joking aside - Nice set-up! How is the little diesel for mileage and power?
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05-25-2019, 08:15 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Name: T
Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
Posts: 15
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“Good thing it wasn't a 3/4 ton“
Tell me about it, the hospital wanted an additional 20k to delivery the 3/4 ton. Kidding folks!
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05-25-2019, 08:19 AM
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#16
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Junior Member
Name: T
Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
Posts: 15
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Yes sir!
Quote:
Originally Posted by South Coast Stu
Wow, that must have been a difficult delivery! Good thing it wasn't a 3/4 ton
Joking aside - Nice set-up! How is the little diesel for mileage and power?
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Averages 17 mpg towing. Has no issues entering highway or high elevation.
I tow at 60 or 65 mph on the highway.
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05-25-2019, 06:53 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Stu
Trailer: 2003 21RB Bigfoot
Coos Bay, Oregon
Posts: 115
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17 while towing a 21' - I'm envious. I've been told they get 30 hwy (when not towing).
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05-25-2019, 07:10 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Name: T
Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
Posts: 15
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It does what it says
Just took a trip from Nogales, az to south rim of Grand Canyon and back. 28.5 average doing speed limit. Not bad for a 4 x 4 unloaded.
I always had 4 x 4 Silverado heavy half tons. 2004 5.3 and 2009 6.0 V8 stuff.
Towing similar weight as I do now the 5.3 got 13 on highway but would always downshift unless a completely flat road.
The 6.0 had the power but towing mileage was even worse.
The funny part is that my full size trucks did not have that much better payload capacity versus the Canyon.
Anyway you have to really know your weights and payload on the canyon or you could seriously overload it due to the motor lug ability.
Again, I already had the truck so the trailer was a good match at 5500 pounds loaded. The GCW of entire rig is 11500. The rated GCW is 12700.
I personally would not load it that heavy but that is just me.
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05-28-2019, 01:13 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: Bigfoot
California
Posts: 193
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Thanks for the replies y'all. The pictures are super helpful, thanks Stu and Azfoot. I regularly get around 30mpg if it's all freeway. I love being able to go over 600 miles before having to fill up the 21g tank.
Azfoot: That hitch set up looks amazing but I don't have the welding skills or tools for that. Maybe eventually if I make it to Louisiana, my dad has everything needed. What made you decide on the Anderson? Curious because I had another recommendation for that from a dealer, but not specific for the Bigfoot. I was looking at Equal-i-zer based on what Grant said. I've been to the Grand Canyon 2 times in the Colorado and have North Rim campground reservations for July, hopefully with my Bigfoot. In Dec of 2017, I took the dirt road from Peach Springs to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Great ride!
Thanks!
Jon
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05-28-2019, 07:24 AM
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#20
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Junior Member
Name: T
Trailer: Bigfoot
Arizona
Posts: 15
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Anderson WDH
I believe the EQ hitch is great just like the Anderson. They both would work.
The difference for me at least is the Anderson does not require grease and is light to take off and on. It is easier to adjust is my opinion.
It’s really personal choice.
Buyer beware if you are getting a used one. After last fall Anderson changed the design as to add a brake materiel cone retainer. This kept the white brake cone material from squeezing out the top and reducing the sway control over long use.
See picture below from amazon customer review, not mine...
Picture on left is without design. Picture on right is with design change.
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