Will 1200lb Bars Replace 800lb Bars on Reese Strait-Line System with Gold Dual-Cam Sway Control

Updated 07/24/2014 | Published 07/23/2014

Question:

After 2 yrs of using my 800# DC gold system, I decided to research my set up that has never felt like it was working correctly. I discovering my TT tongue weigth is 1,200 lbs. hello Installers. THE QUESTION: Can I just put the 1200# bars on the current parts I have??? Shank: Reese# 63970 the sticker shows 1000 to 1400 wt. rating Adj. Ball mount/head: Only #s/ markings found= 113066 V-5 My research shows there is only one style, NO weight rating applies should be fine. Hook up Brackets: Stamped 21500 I do see a 21501 part but there r no specs Cams: Only one available for all weight applacations. i.e. research Thanks for Help in advance!

asked by: Al

Expert Reply:

The Reese Strait-Line systems and dual-cam systems have gone through several versions. There are no less than 6 versions of the dual-cam sway control, half of which are obsolete, and 18 different head part numbers (though there is some overlapping on models that do and do not come with a shank). This information is not easy to find. Shank 63970 is the old part number but it is still the same shank they have used for years. The number on the head is likely a casting number. But the head is the critical part.

There have been several heads over the years. There is more than one style now (depending on if you had a round bar system or trunnion system, though I understand you have a trunnion system). This type of system has been around since the 1970's so it has gone through changes.

I think you had system number 4008. This was an 800 pound Strait-Line system with dual-cam sway control, old style, made obsolete on August 21, 2007. If this is indeed the system you have then you can upgrade to the 1200 pound spring bars, # RP66009 (for a single bar).

The 21500 hanger bracket is a typical hanger bracket and would not be a problem with the new bars.

You can see that with so many variations it is critical to get it right. I am confident the 1200 pound bars will fit especially if the system was purchased in the last 5 or so years.

expert reply by: Michael H