Am I being overly cautious?

[perrien]

I expect to be taking delivery of an Imagine 2970RL tomorrow and the dealer agreed to upgrading me to the Equalizer hitch (they originally recommended the Fastway E2, saying the Equalizer was overkill for our setup). Hitch + install = $820.

I’ll be towing with a Ram 2500, max hitch weight of around 3000 so I’m not concerned with that. I’m assuming they’re going to try and give me the 10k/1k Equalizer, I’m wondering if I should push for the 12K/1.2k version.

The Imagine has specs:
UVW: 7324 lbs
Hitch Weight: 795 lbs
GVWR: 8995 lbs

The hitch weight listed is just about 11% of UVW so 11% of GVWR = 990 lbs. Close but under 1000 lbs, the lower version of the Equalizer should be okay.

Most other places list the hitch weight as more like 13% and if I use that number, the loaded hitch weight will be around 1170.

I’m hearing that GD is now providing a sheet with all units listing the actual weight of that specific unit and the tongue weight. Is that correct? I’m seeing vague references to it but nothing concrete. I’ll be on the lookout for that but given the numbers above, how hard should I be pushing for the higher weight rated Equalizer?

[LV Naturist]

Perrien,

You would probably be good with the 10/1k, but since you're close and there isn't a huge price difference between the two, I'd opt for the heavier hitch. I tow my Springdale with the 12/1.2k Equalizer but I'm a little heavier than you with a GVWR of a little over 9.5k. Additionally, I carry a 700lb ATV in the bed of my truck when towing. It's not only tongue weight that will affect the load on the weight distribution hitch, but also any/all loads in the bed of your truck. Also, for what it's worth, we have been very pleased with the Equalizer and have been towing with it for over 10 years. The sway control aspect of it is effective. Just make sure you keep grease on the friction surfaces and periodically torque the tension bolts per the instructions. Safe travels and good luck with the new rig!

John

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Remember that a battery and propane will add at least 100 lbs to the hitch weight. I would get the higher capacity version.

HTH,
Kevin

[Steven@147]

I have the Imagine 2950RL and the Equalizer. Yeah been there done that. The advertised tongue weight is 795, my as built from the GD factory tongue weight is 902#. My unloaded tongue weight is 1000# with the battery an full propane tanks, so no in my opinion the Equalizer 1000 is not enough hitch. You dont have anything loaded into the storage compartment yet or under the bed storage, and the fresh water holding tank is 3 feet back from the beginning of the front cap and that added water weight will be very close to the hitch. The equalizer 1200 would be the minimal, I have the 1400 just in case I want to carry some fresh water.

Normally fully loaded to go camping (no fresh water) our tongue weight is 1200#. I have a sherline tongue weight scale and I use it a lot.

[Txfivver]

I too would go with the 1200 lb bars. That's what I used on my 2950RL last year was pulling with an F250. That model trailer has some serious tongue weight, I had two batteries and the propane bottles as well. Loaded up front compartment and it put as much sag (2 inches or so) on my truck as the new fifth wheel with more
pin weight. The Imagines are super nice trailers but man they have some tongue weight!

[jw^2 family]

We've got the Equal-i-zer 1,200/12,000 hitch for our Imagine 2800BH, which is a lighter trailer than your 2970RL. It's not hard to get the trailer loaded all the way up to it's GVWR, so it would be smart to plan for the heaviest situation you might encounter. The rating of the hitch is it's maximum capacity, and it's not going to cause any problems if your hitch's capacity is a couple hundred pounds more than what your actual hitch weight is. I wouldn't recommend anything lighter than a 1,200 / 12,000 hitch for your trailer, and maybe even heavier as others have mentioned.

[alanhenson]

More is better in this situation. Buy the biggest truck and the best hitch you can afford.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[travischurch]

I’m hearing that GD is now providing a sheet with all units listing the actual weight of that specific unit and the tongue weight. Is that correct? I’m seeing vague references to it but nothing concrete. I’ll be on the lookout for that but given the numbers above, how hard should I be pushing for the higher weight rated Equalizer?

I can confirm that I received such a document with my 2018 2970RL delivered a month ago. See link below. (VIN erased)

LINK

[Steven@147]

I’m hearing that GD is now providing a sheet with all units listing the actual weight of that specific unit and the tongue weight. Is that correct? I’m seeing vague references to it but nothing concrete. I’ll be on the lookout for that but given the numbers above, how hard should I be pushing for the higher weight rated Equalizer?[/QUOTE]


My understanding is, they have always provided this sheet for every unit they manufacturer however some reported they didn't get one. It is supposed to be in the black GDRV bag you get with your unit that also has all the manuals in it. Attached is mine for our 2950RL VIN deleted. Emily Staley of GDRV had a post on bookface just the other day talking about these weight sheets. If you cant find your weight sheet, for whatever reason, they say you can contact GDRV with your VIN and they can look it up and send you a copy.

Understand that the hitch weight does not include a battery or full propane tanks, these are added at the dealerships. I have a sherline tongue weight scale and I weighed our tongue weight just as we bought it with nothing loaded in the RV. Our tongue weight was 1000#.

[Leon T]

ALWAYS get a little more than you think you may need when towing, within reason. If it's close, go bigger to account for real life. When you are towing up and down steep grades, in high wind and everything else you're going to run into you will be happy you did. White knuckling because your setup isn't quite up to par or is just the bare minimum that is "recommended" by some schmuck at a dealership who may have never actually towed anything in his life is not worth a few hundred bucks.