Community Forums

Island Ranger · 05-01-2018, 01:30 PM

We are about to purchase a ORV 250RKS. Our dealer only carries cheap weight distribution hitches (for high prices). Judging from many of the discussions I have found on the IRV2 site it looks like Blue Ox and Equilizer are the two best hitch brands for the budget. Our trailer has a hitch dry weight of 895 lbs. and gross trailer weight of 11,000 lbs. We will be adding two 6V batteries up front. We have an F350 6.7L diesel. The Equilizer website recommends the 1200/1200 hitch for our truck load weight and trailer weight. We will be carrying a 200 lb. mobility scooter in the truck bed plus, blocking, gen sets and misc.

1) Any thoughts as to if this hitch will be the correct one for our rig?
2) Does anyone have experience with the F350 on 20" tires and possible hitch height issues?

RoscoeV · 05-01-2018, 02:11 PM

I suggest going with the 1400# bars. As far as hitch height/drop it all depends on how much your truck will sag when loaded. In my case I had to order a 10" drop shank to my hitch to keep the TT level.

lcboy · 05-01-2018, 06:50 PM

I have the Equalizer 1200 👍

Mr_D · 05-01-2018, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcboy

I have the Equalizer 1200 👍

Unless you have the same RV, same truck and loaded the same what you have doesn't help answere the OP's question.

ajr7678 · 05-02-2018, 08:01 AM

As long as your tongue weight doesn’t exceed the hitch capacity, you’re good to go on the hitch. Next, make sure you’re total hitch weight, plus cargo in the truck, doesn’t exceed the limits of your truck.

Also, I don’t know much about the brand, but you should consider sway control and make sure the hitch provides it. I just got a Curt hitch I’ll be installing next week, it has build in sway control.

zebrex · 05-02-2018, 10:54 AM

my math says you need a Weight distribution setup rated to 12650 lbs (or 1265 tongue weight) for your potential max tongue weight. That will put you into 14000 lb 1400 tongue weight WD setup. I would choose the blue ox sway pro or the equalizer. In my opinion the Blue ox is easier to set up as you set the tension with the chains and do not have to adjust the ball angle its also easier to reduce the amount of WD effect by using one less link if you decide to load the camper a little lighter. . Both hitches require you to adjust ball height. If your truck is tall with the 20" tires you will likely need an extended shank. I would ask the camper dealer what is the ball height with the camper level. This will help you decide if the shank that comes with the hitch provides enough drop. The dealer that sold me the Blue ox let me substitute a shank for a longer one as my pickup was very tall.

allenb12 · 05-02-2018, 04:02 PM

I really like our Blue Ox.

scbwr · 05-02-2018, 05:27 PM

I use a Equalizer hitch and it works very well with my Tundra and 2014 Minnie 2201DS. However, I am tired of dealing with the amount of lubrication and have thought of getting the Blue Ox as it looks to be a much "cleaner" system. However, we are looking for a used motorhome, so I'll keep using the Equalizer.....which really is a very good hitch....I've used it for four years.

MagnaPilot · 05-05-2018, 06:48 PM

Been using an equalizer for about 4 years now. The standard drop bar is fine for my F250 with 20” wheels. Yours would likely work fine unless your trailer has a very low tongue. Personally I’d go with the next higher rated hitch. As for lubrication, you can use a plastic pad for the L brackets that basically eliminates the need for lube on the bars, just keep them rust free and they will be quiet most of the time.

obwan2 · 05-06-2018, 02:08 PM

We have (or did have) the 250rks. I had the 1200 Equal-i-zer installed but I was pushing the TW limit. If you add your two propane battles and two 12v batteries plus other items you will soon be over the 1200lb TW ( I will tell you that I've had no problems with sway).
We just traded in our 250rks for a 270rks and I've changed the head for the Equal-i-zer 1400 hitch. I probably should had the 1400 installed with the 250 rks but I didn't. I know nothing about the ox other than our dealer stopped carry it.
Whatever system you use just be aware of the TW limit.

Jerry TX · 05-06-2018, 05:24 PM

I vote with obwan2, I pull a Nash 24M, Northwood Mfg,!with an F250. Since Northwood and ORV are owned by Northwood and both advertise Off-Road frame I expect they are somewhat similar. My Nash has a 23-1/2” hutch height, with the trailer level, so my drop bar was turned 180 degrees to match ball and coupler heights. Equalizer has the sway control built into the load bars.

Island Ranger · 05-06-2018, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Range

We are about to purchase a ORV 250RKS. Our dealer only carries cheap weight distribution hitches (for high prices). Judging from many of the discussions I have found on the IRV2 site it looks like Blue Ox and Equilizer are the two best hitch brands for the budget. Our trailer has a hitch dry weight of 895 lbs. and gross trailer weight of 11,000 lbs. We will be adding two 6V batteries up front. We have an F350 6.7L diesel. The Equilizer website recommends the 1200/1200 hitch for our truck load weight and trailer weight. We will be carrying a 200 lb. mobility scooter in the truck bed plus, blocking, gen sets and misc.

1) Any thoughts as to if this hitch will be the correct one for our rig?
2) Does anyone have experience with the F350 on 20" tires and possible hitch height issues?

Unfortunately I'm not 100% certain the Tech Rep at ORV ensured the trailer he measured was level. He said 28" to the top of the ball, was a ballpark measurement. I want to thank everyone for answering my questions you have all been very helpful.