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GET THE PROPER HITCH FOR TRAILER TOWING
By Erich Streckenbach
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February 10, 2004. Reader Erich Streckenbach sent along this timely reminder for trailer boaters ("boats on wheels," a friend calls them). Trailering is its own world, as RV owners quickly learn. Thanks, Erich, for the information.
Dear Editor:
Great web site.
Thought you might find this interesting. As some boaters tow their boats, 20-26-ft and some times bigger, they look at the trailer weight rating. But how many look at the receiver on their tow vehicle? Stock receivers are typically not class 5. The vehicle may be rated to tow a big load, but if you read the details on the hitch it says one rating without equalizer hitch and one with equalizer hitch. I have not seen any equalizer hitches for boat trailers, so the stock receiver may not adequate for some loads. Those folks hauling 26-ft boats with a typical stock hitch would be exceeding the hitch limits if they do not have an equalizer hitch. This was pointed out to me by a fellow boater who was towing a 22-ft boat. He then upgraded to a 30-ft boat that fits on a trailer. He bought a diesel dually 1-ton truck which has the power to haul, but noticed the stock hitch was not adequate. It was great for camping style trailers that have equalizer hitches but not enough to haul is 30-ft boat. v
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