Equalizer Tow Hitches

[Tahoe Jack]

Been thinking about adding some sort of weight distribution hitch to my Mac -Tow rig. Could use some help. My quick-read indicates that most hitches are not compatible with our surge type trailer brake system. Maybe some of you don't have these, but am pretty sure that all California-Nevada Macs do. The folks at Equalizer say their hitch is OK for surge brakes. The Easy Lift, and Hidden Hitch etc. either make no comment or say it is not advised for surge brakes. Any hands on experience out there....pro or con? Tahoe Jack

[Harvey]

I have been using the Equal-i-zer hitch to tow my MacX for a few years and am well satisfied with it. It works well with the surge brakes on my trailer. I have used it on a Honda Odyssey and now on a Ford Explorer. It helps level my tow vehicle and allows a greater load capacity. and takes only a little longer to hitch up than a regular hitch. I have not found another weight-distributing hitch that works with surge brakes. Because the Mac trailer has a single pole tongue, there is a cross bar available that makes the setup more like many other trailers that have a Y style, but another poster not too long ago said the Equal-I Zer folks said it isn't necessary.

Happy towing,

Harvey

[kmclemore]

I just use a standard hitch, but I added an Air-Lift ride leveling system and it works well. It's also useful when my van is just heavily loaded (i.e. not towing), too.

[Kelly Hanson East]

I seem to recall the macgregor manual explicitly says not to use these, but there isnt anything special about a boat - if your surge brakes work with it, and you get a better ride, go for it imho.

I havent found these boats to be bad to trailer from a stability standpoint once you get the tongue weight right...it might be a lot cheaper to work on that than adding hardware...

(Mods - please move to T&T)

[kmclemore]

(Mods - please move to T&T)

!	kmclemore:
	Done.

[NiceAft]

I don't do a lot of towing (I do have surge brakes). Once to the marina in the Spring, and once back home in the Fall. In between I only tow twice. Once to the mountains, and then back home. Each way being about 280 miles. Up and down the mountains. Whether heavy traffic and/or pouring rain, I've never had handling problems. Oh yes, my Envoy was also packed with two weeks of clothing and food for two people. I just don't see the need.

Tahoe, did you have a specific problem that makes you want to do this?

Ray

[delevi]

I use a standard 2" hitch ball. I dohave surge brakes. Didn't know anything special was needed.

[Moe]

If you think about the physics of a weight distributing hitch, it's a lot like putting wheelbarrow handles (spring bars) on the back of the tow vehicle (hitch head) that will be pulled up on by a champion weight lifter (chains, jacks, etc on spring bar ends) standing on the trailer tongue a-frame. The applied effort is trying to bend the coupler on the front of the tongue upwards (effort applied through the ball) relative to the rest of the trailer tongue A-frame.

There is a significant increase in loading on the coupler and front of the trailer tongue when a weight distributing hitch is employed and surge brake couplers aren't designed for that.

While the tongue weight of a 3500 pound MacGregor on trailer should be around 350 pounds, it is likely very much less.

If your tow vehicle can't handle 350-400 pounds on the hitch without excessive sag, it is an inadequate tow vehicle for a MacGregor powersailor. You can hide that fact with a weight distributing hitch or with air bags in the rear suspension, but these don't increase the capability of the vehicle structure/chassis, the rear axle/bearings, or the wheels an tires.

[Tahoe Jack]

Is this a forum or what? Full spectrum of experiences. My tow vehicle is rated at 7000 lbs but I pull the Mac or a 19' travel trailer...both somewhere near 3500lbs and wouldn't do much more for any duration. My 4rnr V8 is pre-wired for an electric brake controller. The Mac is sensitive as hull to tongue weight, the travel trailer is dual axle and behaves better. Legally, I need the controller for the TT electric brakes. Guess I have a few months to think this over...since we are running out of good boating weather in the Sierras. I have a new ball hitch with a 4" lift that seems to work reasonable with the TT. Maybe I will try a couple ball hitch variations and see if I have a sweet spot for better towing before stretching for an equalizer. My last couple long tows were 1500 miles each RT, lots of mountains and wind so it is important. The air bags are interesting but pricey. Thanks for the input. Jack

[Kelly Hanson East]

Jack - I pull Catigale with a 5000 pound rated VW Eurovan - only 200 HP but good low end torque.

The combo is great, and without trying to insult, the Admiral will drive it without complaint about the tow load. She was nervous at first but now drives us to the Cape without a thought on highways (she likes me to do the city traffic thing though)

I will say the difference between 60 mph and 70 mph is amazing - it is a much easier drive at 60.

[Tahoe Jack]

Hey Catigale....congrats to your Admiral. For comparison, the shortest way to Tahoe from my place starts with a 17 mile 4500' climb to MtRose pass...9000', then down to the lake at 6200. On the climb side we have hairpin curves, a few airline pilots rushing via Porche to work, a few delivery trucks, and a few tourists....so, handling and power are not optional, but necessary. To Lake Powell on Colorado River, we have 750 miles of 2-way traffic and mountains all the way. Come visit. Jack

[Boblee]

We are well overloaded and the trailer tows like a dream the springs are heavy duty and have coil assist ($35 at the wreckers) with Rancho adjustable shockers the vehicle sits dead level.
Haven't weighed the rig but the boat would be easily 5000lbs and the vehicle would have min 3500lbs load above base empty weight.
We only pull at 50mph most of the time mainly due to poor roads and for maximum fuel economy but did 7000 k's (4300m) this year.
Many larger vehicles had load leveling devices on much smaller loads and wouldn't tow without them but we had no problems even at higher speeds occasionally, with an empty vehicle and little load in the boat you don't even know it's there.

[Sowle6]

I love all the posts, but what you are asking is about the equal-i-zer hitch, so please listen to those of us that have used it with our Mac!!
I have a 99 x, tow with a 2007 Honda Pilot. The hitch is so worth the money. I was very concerned before buying the boat as had read all the horror stories of being blown around the road. This hitch is like a dream. I live in wester colorado, and each summer tow myboat to Michigan, which starts with a trip through the mountains. It is like the boat and car are all one peice, no independent movement. I can drive 75 on the highway and feels the same as towing with my F350. The hitch is designed for surge brakes, and worked great for me. I bought the 1000/10000 standard, no additional stuff needed except 2 longer bolts to span the tongue. No need for any Y configuration, just straight back on each side of the tongue.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Yikes Jack - thats a real towing 'challenge', agreed. Wouldnt try that with my rig of course. Meet me at the airport, please

[Bransher]

Checkout this new item from Reese. The link should take you to page 22 of Boating World magazine’s online edition. Then use your mouse at the lower right side of page 23 to turn to page 24. There you will find the installation instructions and pictures.

The link starts HERE.

I have no experience with this item. All I know is what I read in the article. I hope the article is useful to you.