WD Hitch and Brake Controller

Good Afternoon!

My wife and I are looking at purchasing our first TT. We are looking at some newer used Hybrid TT's in the range of 19-23". Most of them have a GVWR of around 5000# and a hitch weight between 375-500#. I have a 2012 DCLB, with the factory tow package. I know that I'll need a brake controller and a weight distributing sway control hitch.

For the brake controller, is there any reason to get the Prodigy P3 over the P2, or should I just save the extra money and get the P2? Where's the cheapest place to pick one of these up?

For the WD hitch I'm looking into the Equalizer. My only question is should I go with the 600/6000# or the 1000/10000# model? I'm thinking the 600/6000 should suffice. Where's the cheapest place to pick one of these up?

Thanks!

 

Not too sure about the controller so I can't help you on that one (my gut tells me save the extra money an get the P2).

For the WDH setup, typically you want to go up one size of your loaded weight. If you plan on having your TT fully loaded to the GVWR of 5000lbs, that would give you a tonuge weight of around 625lbs, plus the hitch itself will weigh around 80lbs so you'll have around 700lbs on the tongue. That being said, I would go with the 800/8000lb set up. You'll like the equalizer...it doubles for sway control as well. This is the cheapest I've been able to find, plus only $10 for shipping.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/...QzbsKYx9yvYqUCNniLCNirdHhHbrw5h_B4aAqym8P8HAQ

 

I think you would be happy either way on the Prodigy, I have the P3 and I think I got it for under $100 on Amazon. I found a lightly used Equalizer 1000/10,000 for $350 and that is the way I would go in your case, just to have the margin. I don't like to be right on the edge with the WDH and when you load your rig, there may be times that you push it...

 

No way would I go with the 1,000lb bars...800lb bars will be plenty. You'll run out of payload on both your truck and trailer before pushing the limits of the bars.

"The TW rating is the most important factor in determining which size weight-distribution system you should use. If the bars of the system you choose are rated too high for your setup, they will create a rigid ride, which can result in a bouncing trailer. If, on the other hand, the bars are not rated high enough, the system will be unable to properly distribute the weight, rendering it virtually useless."

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

My $.02

 

I do not have a rough or bouncy ride with my Equal-i-zer brand WDH with the 1000# bars... It is the Equal-i-zer brand WDH that I believe the OP was referring to and not the E2. The Equal-i-zer WDH does not come with the option of 800/8000#, otherwise that might be a better option. Since he asked about the "600/6000# or the 1000/10000#" I think the 1000/10000# option is what I would choose. YMMV

 

The 600/6000 is what you need. If you are towing something that requires 1000/10,000 you are overloading your tacoma and could even bend the frame of your tacoma by not having enough flex in your weight distribution hitch.

 

This company sells it. http://www.adventurerv.net/equalizer-weight-distribution-hitch-8000-lbs-p-10921.html

 

That is the E2 and not the Equal-i-zer original, or standard, not sure how to characterize the regular one. Either way it is different than the traditional Equal-i-zer that they have sold for years. It is an 800/8000 though.

 

The best I can tell the E2 is two point sway control vs. four point sway control on the original. There is some indication that the E2 is made offshore as well, I'm not certain on that...internet knowledge is questionable.

 

I also heard the E2 is made outside the US and the original is made in the US.