Equalizer hitch

[JCasper]

Does anyone have experience with these? How do they work compared to the chain type bars?



If I end up buying a TT I need a WD Hitch and I just saw this on CL.



Equal-i-zer® Hitch - Product Info

 

[TowPro]

I have never owned one, but from what I read, the Helsley hitch is the best on the market. He has a lot of information on his site that might answer your question.

 

[DeezelDood]

Go to woodalls.com. Very good rv forum. You'll need to navigate a bit but look for "travel trailers". Lots of feedback in there if you search "hitches" or "equalizer". The Equalizer gets high marks for performance and value.

I was going to buy one from rvwholesalers.com ($399, best price around) but it would not have arrived in time to pick up my trailer. I bought a Robin round bar from Camping World. Chinese knock off of a Husky, well made for for the money ($229 I think I paid). I plan on buying an Equalizer when I semi-retire in couple years. It combines weight distribution and sway control in one package. The Hensley is considered to be the Cadillac of hitches. It also has a Cadillac price. Note: Woodalls also has a very good "tow vehicle" forum. I was a long time visitor there and stumbled across TDR recommedation in that forum. Very glad I found it.

 

[chazj]

I have the Equal-i-zer Hitch which I use to tow my Arctic Fox 27F (approximately 10K in weight). Works well & easy to use once set-up (mine was set-up at the dealership).

 

[DPeltonen]

I have an equalizer I tow a 28' Haulmark 10K box with. The only problem I had was the brackets for the trailer frame. I have an 8" frame and the brackets supplied were for a 6" frame. After I got that mess sorted out, I was able to mount the hitch and set it up (took about 2 hours of fiddling the first time). It tows very well, no sway, and does a fine job of leveling the truck. Unfortunately, it is the only weight distributing hitch I have towed with so I cannot make a comparison with any other W/D hitch. I did hear from several RV dealers, that if you can afford the $3-4K for a Hensley, you will never be disappointed. My 12K hitch was around $650.



One thing I forgot to mention; Those bars are pretty long, so make sure you have the clearance from the hitch to the front of your trailer. I had to cut out some of the rock guard on my trailer to clear the bars on turns because they would push against the diamond plate. Some of the chain suspended W/D hitches have significantly shorter bars on them and provide much more clearance from the hitch.

 

[JCasper]

I have an equalizer I tow a 28' Haulmark 10K box with. The only problem I had was the brackets for the trailer frame. I have an 8" frame and the brackets supplied were for a 6" frame. After I got that mess sorted out, I was able to mount the hitch and set it up (took about 2 hours of fiddling the first time). It tows very well, no sway, and does a fine job of leveling the truck. Unfortunately, it is the only weight distributing hitch I have towed with so I cannot make a comparison with any other W/D hitch. I did hear from several RV dealers, that if you can afford the $3-4K for a Hensley, you will never be disappointed. My 12K hitch was around $650.



One thing I forgot to mention; Those bars are pretty long, so make sure you have the clearance from the hitch to the front of your trailer. I had to cut out some of the rock guard on my trailer to clear the bars on turns because they would push against the diamond plate. Some of the chain suspended W/D hitches have significantly shorter bars on them and provide much more clearance from the hitch.

Thanks for the warning about bar length. I think I may wait to purchase until I have the trailer.

 

[WaltHess]

I have a Reese chain tightening type. I got the full used set up-hitch,ball,1200# bars,and a friction sway controller- at an automotive swap meet for $40 to try one out. This was my first equalizer type hitch. I used it to tow a fully loaded 31' Airstream 600 miles from CA to Vegas. During the trip I encountered a few areas with high (25+mph) crosswinds. The truck never knew the trailer was there.



I use it mostly now with a 40' triple axle flatbed, so I don't use the sway controller.



Not to hijack the thread , but is it recommended to not attach the bars on an empty trailer for a smoother ride? I would guess that with an empty trailer the trailer can cause the truck to bounce more going down the road by levering the bars.

 

[Buffalo]

WaltHess,



I imagine it depends on the trailers tongue weight. If it's still heavy when empty, then the WD hitch probably is a good idea.



I've got a couple of used set-ups (WD & friction anti sway controller) & they all have worked well. A new one is 'used' as soon as you buy it.



Get a sway controller, along with a used WD hitch & you should be 'in business'.



Check with RV stores that sell trailers. Many of the trade-ins include a used WD hitch set-up. I've bought them there before at reasonable prices, compared to new.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Grumpytrkr]

Does anyone have experience with these? How do they work compared to the chain type bars?



If I end up buying a TT I need a WD Hitch and I just saw this on CL.



Equal-i-zer® Hitch - Product Info

I have used both the Reese with the friction sway control, and the Equalizer hitch set up.



I will sum this up short and sweet. I will never go back to using the Reese. The Equalizer tows so much better, you can forget the trailer is behind you. You don't have to take anything off before backing up. You don't have to worry about counting how many links in the chain to use. I don't have that silly chunk of pipe rolling around so I can put the bars on, when I couldn't get the trailer high enough. Nope... I'll keep the Equalizer. No one is going to talk me out of it.



Good luck with you trailer travels.

 

[happenin-dad]

I now own the Equilizer Hitch (12,000lb) system - best. I looked into the very, very expenensive Hansley WD system and after ordering the video and actually seeing the unit set up in person I said forget it. I also owned the chain type weight distribution hitch (Blue Ox), though never the Reese. However I did major research and spoke to many who own the Reese WD system and saw the set up. Finally settled on the Equilizer system.

The thread who said the bars are too long... . I'm not sure that is the rule with most Travel Trailers.

If you do go with the system, purchase from the guy on E-bay. I think I got the whole system for $300 including shipping. No one will beat the price.

If you watch the video over and over (Equilizer web site), you will install very easily and understand the concept which is the most important to setting up any WD system.

Storage of WD system when you unhitch is the part I like. Two bars only.

I got a system that was more than what I needed (lbs towing) but I figured the added safety and ability to buy a bigger T. T. in the future was more important. I'm glad I did.

The ride with the system is solid and you feel the truck & Travel Trailer is one unit.

Getting the wheel well heights to be equal (front to back) you will find to be important.

 

[EricBu12]

J,



I will give you my impression of the hensley since no one else even owned one here... The hensley is great for towing!. the thing with all other WD hitches is you still have a pivot, and potential sway. they reduce the sway with friction or some other way unknown to me...



The hensly, when you are straight, has NO pivot. . so hence, no sway. It uses a double bar with 4 pins on a econd head that make an angle when you turn. when you are straight, you can push against the side like a gust of wind would do and it is solid.



When all is set up, the WD bars stay on the trailer and all you have to take off is a tow bar so no storage of bars or other clumbsy items, just a small towbar.



Yes it is expensive, I have seen in my travels, (truck driving). . Many rv's with WD hitches rolled from wind. The hensley makes a TT feel like 5th wheel when going down the road because of no pivot in the normal sense... Depending on how much your trailer is, the cost of the hensley for mine was about 10%. very well worth the cost for the best hitch. get the free video and look it over.

at www.hensleymfg.com



(not affiliated with hensley just a satisfied customer).

 

[SSage]

The equalizer brand hitch is my favorite, easy to set up and the cost ain't bad compared to the Hensly. I pulled my 9K Arctic Fox 31W with it and never had a single issue with it. It's a good product, with an electric jack, hitching up is childs play.

 

[Gifford]

I have the Equalizer hitch. I like it and and I especially like the price. $399. 00 with free shipping from RVW, RV Wholesalers, RV Dealer, Used RV's, RV Classifieds, Wholesale RV Parts Sales for the 1200lb tongue/12,000 gross. The 1400/14000 is 500. 00



I have a 26' 11k pound toyhauler, and the hitch was easy to install (no drilling into frame like on Reese dual cam) and works as claimed. Also very easy to hitch/unhitch compared to chain type trunnion systems. Its a very simple design.

 

[HJJOHNSON]

Ditto on Gifford's post. I have a 12k Equalizer brand from RV Wholesalers. Worked great. Pulled a 28' TT in the mountains of Tenn. with my Doolie. It was like it was glued to it. Ended up buying a 5er, so don't use the Equalizer any more. Used one of the chain type units, and it worked, but not as well. The Equalizer is easy to transfer from one trailer to another. Just don't forget to apply some grease to the torque bars. They will squeak, no problem tho.