do i really need a equalizer hitch

kenvb

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2019
Messages
27
Location
Whitecourt,Alberta
this 139 Funfinder has a 200 lb hitch weight. i lifted it on the ball myself. and im 65. i have a new 4000 lb equalizer hitch that came with it. was still in cardboard box under the seat.never used.i pulled it home 120 miles. no issues.
 
Does the back end of your tow vehicle sag. Do your headlight point to the sky? Does your steering become light when the trailer is hooked up?
 
What are you towing with? There should be a hitch weight rating both with and without a weight distributing hitch. For instance my Chevy is rated at 500/6000 without/with so that trailer would be well within the rating for it without WD. I would think if you're towing with any brand 1500 truck you'd be fine.
 
2005 GMC Envoy doesnt sag a bit when i dropped it on the ball. manual says 550-5500 lbs. but mileage sucks pulling it. we also have 06 Ford Freestar mini van, manual says 350-3500 lbs, might try it with that too
 
We towed a 2003 T 139 and now a 2012 X 139 without an equalizer. We use a sway bar. But make darn sure that you load the trailer with enough tongue weight. And of course use an adequate tow vehicle. We used to have a Pathfinder and now have a Tacoma. Both worked well.

And we tow about 7000 to 10,000 miles a year -- that's a lot. In mountains, snow, ice, rain, wind, you name it. Usually at around 62 mph, usually getting around 10 mpg.
 
2005 GMC Envoy doesnt sag a bit when i dropped it on the ball. manual says 550-5500 lbs. but mileage sucks pulling it. we also have 06 Ford Freestar mini van, manual says 350-3500 lbs, might try it with that too

I tow a 189 with a 2002 GMC envoy. I put air bags in the spring to level it out when towing. My Tongue weight is about 400 Lbs. You should be fine with a 200 LB tongue weight. By boat is about 150. doesn't cause the back end to squat without airbags.
 
wife doesn't like the envoy revving high clmbing hills. went to GM dealer today. service manager been there 40 yrs. I apprenticed with him 78-83 till I got my licence and went and opened my own shop. he says not to worry,let it rev,.just don't use Cruise.
that 189 u pull must make it rev a lot too.
 
wife doesn't like the envoy revving high clmbing hills. went to GM dealer today. service manager been there 40 yrs. I apprenticed with him 78-83 till I got my licence and went and opened my own shop. he says not to worry,let it rev,.just don't use Cruise.
that 189 u pull must make it rev a lot too.

not really. I tow in third when towing the camper. If there is a hill it may drop to 2nd if i try to push it. I just try to keep it at 50 or so on long hill. I am in williamsburg, va right now. i left oaks, pa this morning. It went down to second maybe 7 times. once was over the key bridge. I am happy with the performance
of the envoy. it did run a little warm today but it was 95 today.
 
towing issue

fixed the towing issue. sold the Envoy and got a beautiful one owner Tahoe LT. 5.3 motor 3.73 gears, tow package.
 

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this 139 Funfinder has a 200 lb hitch weight. i lifted it on the ball myself. and im 65. i have a new 4000 lb equalizer hitch that came with it. was still in cardboard box under the seat.never used.i pulled it home 120 miles. no issues.

I have an equalizer on my 18’ 9 FF. I love it. I did have it hooked into my trailer by an Rv place so it would be set properly for my suv. It makes everything more stable. I’m all for safety. You never know when something might happen and you’ll be thankful for the extra stability of your rig with it. I do find I have to have everything level to hook the stabilizer up properly. l have a slanted driveway so will pull it out into the street where it’s level to do the final assembly of the bars. The thing (especially the hitch) is heavy. But well worth it. The one caution I have is I had to get a longer plug on the trailer as the hitch makes it further away from the end of my vehicle - I found out that it could (and did) come unplugged and drag on the ground depending how sharp a turn I had to make backing out it manoeuvring around a parking lot . I’m really glad I have it. Plus the stuff inside your trailer will bounce less after going over bumps. 😜
 
fixed the towing issue. sold the Envoy and got a beautiful one owner Tahoe LT. 5.3 motor 3.73 gears, tow package.
IMHO, I would still say not to tow in OD (4th gear) as 4th is weak in a 4L65 transmission (it is held in by a band in 2nd and 4th). We have a Burb in the same color. You'll take a little hit in mpg but you won't blow the tranny.
 

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