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Soon to be new owner 2970RL, trying to decide on which WDH, need some measurements

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  • #1

    Soon to be new owner 2970RL, trying to decide on which WDH, need some measurements

    Will pick up our new 2970RL end of next month, very excited.

    I've pretty much narrowed my decision to an Equalizer E4 either 10K or 12K (depending on availability and price).

    I want to make sure I know which size drop to get. The dealer doesn't have one on the lot to measure.

    Can someone tell me, with your 2970RL leveled, what is the distance from the top of the coupler to the ground?

    Also what is the height of the trailer frame that the sway control bracket hooks to (i.e. 4.75, 5, 6, 7 inches)?

    Thanks in advance
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Originally posted by BLoflin View Post
    Will pick up our new 2970RL end of next month, very excited.

    I've pretty much narrowed my decision to an Equalizer E4 either 10K or 12K (depending on availability and price).

    I want to make sure I know which size drop to get. The dealer doesn't have one on the lot to measure.

    Can someone tell me, with your 2970RL leveled, what is the distance from the top of the coupler to the ground?

    Also what is the height of the trailer frame that the sway control bracket hooks to (i.e. 4.75, 5, 6, 7 inches)?

    Thanks in advance
    Quoting my fellow moderator on this topic, every Grand Design travel trailer I've checked in the past ranged from 23-1/2" to 24-1/2" from the ground to the top of the hitch coupler.

    That quote is a link that will take you to Jim's original post. Also see https://gdrvowners.com/towing-and-hi...-ox-shank-size

    Can't help with the last question...not quite sure I understand it (sorry, been a long day and I'm tired).

    Please check out the Welcome Letter to New Members! https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-fo...to-new-members

    Howard

    P.S. You should be excited--the 2970RL is a really nice floorplan.
    Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

    Howard & Francine
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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    • #3
      BLoflin Welcome to the family and the forum!

      Sorry that I can't help with your question. I don't know nuttin about the WDH.
      Jerry and Kelly Powell, with Halo, Nash, Reid, Cleo, Rosie, and the two newest additions Shaggy and Bella..
      Nash County, NC
      2020 Solitude 390RK-R​
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      • #4
        Someone with a 2970RL would need to measure the rectangular tubing between the coupler and the front of the trailer to determine it's size.

        I do not know if the moderators have those drawings and there is not a part listed on the GrandDesign website.

        I wonder if one of the moderators can ping a GD rep to get that information.
        Joseph
        Tow         Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
        Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
        South of Houston Texas
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        • #5
          Originally posted by BLoflin View Post
          Will pick up our new 2970RL end of next month, very excited.

          I've pretty much narrowed my decision to an Equalizer E4 either 10K or 12K (depending on availability and price).

          I want to make sure I know which size drop to get. The dealer doesn't have one on the lot to measure.

          Can someone tell me, with your 2970RL leveled, what is the distance from the top of the coupler to the ground?

          Also what is the height of the trailer frame that the sway control bracket hooks to (i.e. 4.75, 5, 6, 7 inches)?

          Thanks in advance
          Good Morning!

          I cannot answer your questions exactly as you would like me to, as my trailer is in storage 5 miles from my home. But I CAN tell you this. I have a 2970RL and I pull it with a 2500 HD GMC. I use a 14k Equalizer hitch. All of the components of the Equalizer hitch are standard. That is, standard shank, standard frame brackets, standard 2 5/16" ball. I am understanding that your question about height of the coupler is directed at deciding what shank you need. I can tell you that the receiver on my truck is a 2 1/2" and I use the standard 2" shank with an adapter. The unladen height of the receiver, is 21" from the ground to the top of the receiver box. If your tow vehicle receiver height is close to this, the standard shank should work just fine. As for the frame brackets, the brackets supplied with the hitch fit my 2970RL frame just fine.

          When I have a chance to get out to the storage place, I'll try to get some additional measurements and then I'll come back and post them.

          I hope this helps.

          Bob
          Bob & Lynne

          2020 Imagine 2970RL
          2019 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD 4x4 Duramax
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          • #6
            Originally posted by BLoflin View Post
            Will pick up our new 2970RL end of next month, very excited.

            I've pretty much narrowed my decision to an Equalizer E4 either 10K or 12K (depending on availability and price).

            I want to make sure I know which size drop to get. The dealer doesn't have one on the lot to measure.

            Can someone tell me, with your 2970RL leveled, what is the distance from the top of the coupler to the ground?

            Also what is the height of the trailer frame that the sway control bracket hooks to (i.e. 4.75, 5, 6, 7 inches)?

            Thanks in advance
            I had some errands to run so I stopped and got the measurements I think you want.

            Height from ground to top of coupler with trailer level = 24" (appx as the ground is gravel and the trailer may not have been exactly level F to B)

            Height of trailer frame = 6"

            In addition, I am posting some photos of my hitch.

            Now... in the For What It's Worth Department.

            I think you are wasting your money if you go with a 10K hitch. A 12K is almost the same price and a 14K is only about $50 more. As I recall, the advertised hitch weight on my 2970RL was around 800 lbs. With the trailer loaded for camping, AND NO WATER IN THE TANKS, my actual hitch weight comes in around 1050 lbs. The 10K hitch has a load carrying capacity of 1000 lbs, so as you can see, a fully loaded trailer will exceed that capacity. I won't go in to any more detail on hitch selection because there are tons of posts on the topic on this forum.

            I hope this is helpful!

            Bob
            Frame bracket installed on 6" frame rail. This bracket will not fit a frame bigger than 6". L-Bracket installed on frame bracket. Using the 2nd and 3rd hole. Sometimes I use the 3rd and 4th hole (i.e. move it up) to get a little more weight distribution. 14K Hitch head with standard shank installed in receiver. Shank bolts are 2 1/2" O.C. Using 2nd and 4th hole on the shank. There is 2 1/2" more drop available. In this configuration, the top of the ball is approximately 24" above the ground.
            3 Photos
            Bob & Lynne

            2020 Imagine 2970RL
            2019 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD 4x4 Duramax
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            • #7
              Originally posted by RJAPCOK View Post

              I had some errands to run so I stopped and got the measurements I think you want.

              Height from ground to top of coupler with trailer level = 24" (appx as the ground is gravel and the trailer may not have been exactly level F to B)

              Height of trailer frame = 6"

              In addition, I am posting some photos of my hitch.

              Now... in the For What It's Worth Department.

              I think you are wasting your money if you go with a 10K hitch. A 12K is almost the same price and a 14K is only about $50 more. As I recall, the advertised hitch weight on my 2970RL was around 800 lbs. With the trailer loaded for camping, AND NO WATER IN THE TANKS, my actual hitch weight comes in around 1050 lbs. The 10K hitch has a load carrying capacity of 1000 lbs, so as you can see, a fully loaded trailer will exceed that capacity. I won't go in to any more detail on hitch selection because there are tons of posts on the topic on this forum.

              I hope this is helpful!

              Bob
              Bob, thanks so much for taking the time for doing this. Very helpful. I understand what you are saying about 10k vs 12k or even 14k. In some of the Equalizer stuff I had read said to certainly buy big enough to cover your requirements, but at the same time I read that over buying (buying bigger, as the price is not too different as you noted) had its own complications. Heavier to pick up, stiffer ride, etc. Given your actual tongue weights, you've convinced me I should be considering the 12k.

              Thanks again,
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