Which weight dist. system is best?

[XPADREX]

Ok- after a 650 mile deadhead home yesterday, I have to provide the following I tel on my Equalizer E4: it sounds horrible at low speed, less so since I orange for the "jackets" (which should come with a hitch at this price point), but still it sounds like I am dragging parts when pulling into a gas station. That said, it is minimal inconvenience compared to how well it tackled strong winds across Illinois and Iowa.

Great handling overall rig. I'm glad I sprang for it.

[rideandslide]

nomad95 No , you do not need to unhook to back up. The more we tow with it, the more we like it. No more worrys when a (bat out of hell ) log truck flys past you on a 2 lane hwy in Georgia any more !!!!

[archer75]

Originally Posted by XPADREX

Ok- after a 650 mile deadhead home yesterday, I have to provide the following I tel on my Equalizer E4: it sounds horrible at low speed, less so since I orange for the "jackets" (which should come with a hitch at this price point), but still it sounds like I am dragging parts when pulling into a gas station. That said, it is minimal inconvenience compared to how well it tackled strong winds across Illinois and Iowa.

Great handling overall rig. I'm glad I sprang for it.

It really shouldn't be that loud. Mine isn't. I don't have those "jackets" either. I do use their lubicant on the L brackets.

[Menendez]

Originally Posted by SailorSam

Pivot point for the trailer is behind the rear bumper - that is why sway WILL occur, only question is how much and how violent, most do a good job of controlling the sway.

You assert sway is inevitable with most hitches, this is not true; people have towed with simple hitches and never encountered sway.

[nomad95]

Originally Posted by rideandslide

nomad95 No , you do not need to unhook to back up. The more we tow with it, the more we like it. No more worrys when a (bat out of hell ) log truck flys past you on a 2 lane hwy in Georgia any more !!!!

thanks for the reply rideandslide. i did remove it before backing into camp site. a lot of trees and maneuvering just to be safe.
thanks again.

[Chowboy]

He who has an Andersen doesn't have a problem or question!

[Menendez]

Originally Posted by Chowboy

He who has an Andersen doesn't have a problem or question!

From my reading of various trailer forums I'm under the impression that while the Andersen has the virtue of light weight it won't throw as much weight as systems using spring bars and thus may be inadequate in some situations where bar systems will work well.

[DougL3NC]

I just returned yesterday from an 800mi round trip to Fernandina Beach, FL. My Blue Ox was EXCELLENT!!!

The ride was smooth and never choppy. I had ZERO sway even when dealing with big rigs. Even my wife was impressed with how the ride was the entire way down and back. Travelling speed was 65mph and we enjoyed the haul until we had tire trouble about 35 minutes from home.

The right rear tire broke a belt and the tread separated from the carcass...at 65mph. It was a fun ride I can assure you!

[dexters]

Originally Posted by Menendez

From my reading of various trailer forums I'm under the impression that while the Andersen has the virtue of light weight it won't throw as much weight as systems using spring bars and thus may be inadequate in some situations where bar systems will work well.

This is all I can find on that:
14,000 lbs GTWR 2-5/16" ball, 10,000 lbs GTWR 2" ball when using 2" rack • 1,400 lbs tongue weight
16,000 lbs GTWR 2-5/16" ball, 10,000 lbs GTWR 2" ball when using 2-1/2" rack • 1,600 lbs tongue weight

Andersen 'No-Sway' Weight Distribution Hitch

Is that less then others?

[archer75]

Numbers don't tell the whole story. You can have two different hitches, trucks, whatever, with the same numbers but vastly different experiences.

[SailorSam]

Originally Posted by Menendez

You assert sway is inevitable with most hitches, this is not true; people have towed with simple hitches and never encountered sway.

I would say that those people haven't encountered SIGNIFICANT sway. As I noted, lots of people have towed lots of miles with NO sway control. Yes a properly loaded trailer, good tongue weight, etc. will go a long way to keeping the trailer under control. However, under the right (wrong?) conditions, physics says that sway can occur.
From what I have read and people I have talked to, a major reason many originally migrated to 5vers before sway control / eliminate hitches became available is that because of where the pin connects to the truck, sway was significantly reduced and made for safer towing.
I wonder how many people would say that they have done extensive towing across west Texas without a modern hitch and NEVER encountered sway.

[Chowboy]

There is an upper limit and I forget what it is. Our old 25RKS is heavier than many newer trailers up to near 30'. Check their website for recommendations. If you still have a question call, they are quite helpful.

[XPADREX]

I put a li'l grease St those contact points where the L brackets go- it made a significant difference. In windy Iowa, I am glad for the hitch. On the way to the campground this weekend, the wind was something else. We rode fine.

[archer75]

Going over the numbers for our new trailer and the way it's loaded it turns out my 1000lb equalizer isn't enough. I'm a hair under 1200lbs on the tongue. So i'd opt to get the 1200lb equal-i-zer setup however if we are dry camping I will have a full water tank and then i'm just over 1200lbs and would need the 1400lb setup. Didn't want to go too high as that too can have adverse effects.

It's amazing how fast the weight adds up!