Maintenance & Restoration

Bob in Maine · 01-10-2019, 01:47 PM

Yes Dan, I posted the comment that you quoted before I saw the excellent information that you provided above and have now deleted the comment as I understand there is a difference, I will check with the dealer to see if he can install an Equalizer for me. If he can't, maybe I could go to a nearby equalizer dealer to get this done. Thanks very much Dan!

WaltP · 01-10-2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wacenturion

I don't know if I would consider a 25' Bigfoot a small trailer. JMO.

Yeah, I think you are likely right there. I'm really only familiar with trailers up to 17' and 3000 lb dry weight.

Walt

Wacenturion · 01-10-2019, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob in Maine

Yes Dan, I posted the comment that you quoted before I saw the excellent information that you provided above and have now deleted the comment as I understand there is a difference, I will check with the dealer to see if he can install an Equalizer for me. If he can't, maybe I could go to a nearby equalizer dealer to get this done. Thanks very much Dan!

I looked on Amazon.....Fastway E2 was $388 and Equalizer was $459. Not that much of a difference.

Wacenturion · 01-10-2019, 01:53 PM

Bob, just saw your response. If dealer can't get one at a decent price, order it off Amazon and have it shipped to him. If Prime member....free 2 day shipping and probably a little cheaper initial price.

Bob in Maine · 01-10-2019, 02:02 PM

The dealer, Trailer World Denver, says that they will have the proper size Equalizer there for me to evaluate and consider as an alternative to the Fastway, but that the Equalizer would cost $300 more installed! They say they sell more Bigfoots than any other dealer in the U.S. and that nearly every Bigfoot they sell is sold with the Fastway e2 hitch and that they have used these for years now with zero negative feedback.

Bob in Maine · 01-10-2019, 02:09 PM

Wow! The dealer must be buying enough of the Fastway hitches to get a big volume discount in order to be able to quote them at $400 installed and still make a decent profit!

Bob in Maine · 01-10-2019, 03:23 PM

Dan, I just checked Amazon and the Fastway e2 2 point hitch 92-00-1000, rated for 10k trailer and 1k tongue weight sells for $358.09 vs the equivalent Equai-i-zer 4 point hitch 90-00-1000 at $546.22. Both include hitch shank which I assume I would need. I believe that these are the ones I would need based on a loaded trailer weight of about 7k and tongue weight just under 1k.

Bob in Maine · 01-10-2019, 03:38 PM

Whoops, I just checked Bruce Olive's actual weights for his trailer and noted that the tongue weight for his 25RQ is over 1,000 lbs and he therefore properly uses the "1,400 lb" 90-00-1400 Equalizer which sells for $684.45 at Amazon! I will definitely be verifying that I am getting the properly spec'd hitch at the dealership regardless of whether it is a Fastway or Equalizer!

Wacenturion · 01-10-2019, 03:49 PM

Bob..,.,.some more info I clipped off another forum site

Here’s the bottom line on the differences between the Fastway E2 and the Equal-i-zer hitches. I talked to Todd at Progress Mfg, who sell both the hitches, and he straightened everything out for me. The Equal-i-zer has been manufactured for many years and is considered a top of the line hitch. It is manufactured by Progress Mfg, in Provo, UT, using nothing but the best materials and is considered a heavy duty hitch. The E2 was developed and marketed as a less expensive alternate to the equalizer. It is manufactured outside of the states somewhere and isn’t as heavy duty as the Equal-i-zer. Pulling a smaller trailer, the E2 would probably be fine. I just purchased a 31’ that weighs 6251 dry, I’m gonna get the Equal-i-zer. I'm picking mine up in two weeks from AC Nelson. Sales people seemed helpful, as they should. I'll see how the rest of the experience is.

Wacenturion · 01-10-2019, 03:50 PM

A video comparison of the two...…….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=i-P5y5dYgN4

JimKE · 01-10-2019, 04:31 PM

I tow my 25RQ with a 3/4 ton 8.1 Silverado long bed. Last year, I used weight distribution, but no sway. Didn't have any sway issues at all.

A few years back when I had my 1st Bigfoot, I had a 1/2 ton and I used a Husky Centerline WD and sway control. Loved it! I did make sure my trailer and truck were level and straight. If I were purchasing, I would likely go back to Husky again, although I might take a hard look at Andersen.

Bob in Maine · 01-10-2019, 04:39 PM

Thanks again Dan! After talking with Bruce again and finding out that his 25RQ has the additional two foot storage in the front (the "front box option"), I believe that my tongue weight should be well under 1,000 lbs. Therefore at this time I am planning to have the dealer install the 1000 series Equalizer hitch. I like the fact that it is made in the good ole USA and I want to be as safe as possible. As someone else suggested, I plan to add TPS as soon as I get a chance. I have it on my GMC Sierra.