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10-20-2015, 02:27 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Hopatcong, NJ
Posts: 6
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Best Weight Distribution Systems
Hi Everyone, when looking at WDS there are enough products to make your head spin. I know I want WDS with sway control that allows backing up. I'm willing to spend the money. I also know the system depends on the weight of camper and tongue weight. The tongue weight on my trailer is 500lbs. My questions is what is the best product out there from your perspective and experience? Thanks
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10-20-2015, 02:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Nowhere, now here. Freedom!
Posts: 4,602
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I've only had one, the Equal-i-zer. I'm happy with it, considering I have no experience with any other.
__________________
ORV 19B Full Timer from '15 to '20, '14 Ram 2500 Diesel and a GSD. Vancouver, WA
de K7NOL 146.52Mhz Safety? (CLICK ME!)
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10-20-2015, 02:54 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Austin,TX
Posts: 464
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I've had 2 WDHs. One was a waste of money. One is great.
The EAZ-Lift WDH with friction sway bars was not worth a dime, much less the 300 i paid for it at the dealer. Not only was it loud, and someone had to get out and release the sway bars before reversing, it also did a crap job of controlling sway.
The Blue Ox has been great. Can reverse without changing anything. Is quiet. is easy to hook up. Does a great job preventing sway.
__________________
2018 Primetime Crusader 319RKT
2013 RAM 2500 4X4 Laramie CrewCab, 6'4'' bed, 3.42 RAR, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, Payload 2547, Max tow 17,480, PullRite Superglide
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10-20-2015, 02:56 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Nowhere, now here. Freedom!
Posts: 4,602
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The Equal-i-zer does get some complaints about noise, which is reduced by applying grease at the points shown in the owner's manual. I have gotten used to the small amount of noise it makes, but I won't speak for others.
The Equal-i-zer can be backed up without changing anything from forward movement.
Whatever you get, you have to read the manual and maintain the thing properly.
__________________
ORV 19B Full Timer from '15 to '20, '14 Ram 2500 Diesel and a GSD. Vancouver, WA
de K7NOL 146.52Mhz Safety? (CLICK ME!)
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10-20-2015, 03:57 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 470
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So from research the cream of the crop is the hensley/propride hitch which is expensive but apparently worth it. I've had 2 other chain and bar set up with friction sway and they were just ok. I now have an equalizer 4pt which is incredible but is a bit noisy even with grease and rubber bushings under the bars. But it does a great job on our 35ft TT. Also I hear blue ox is good. From my experience, spend the money on a blue ox, Reese, or equalizer 4pt and you'll be happy.
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10-20-2015, 07:54 PM
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#6
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Member
Heartland RV Club
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 49
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I have a Reese Strait-line and could not be happier with its set-up and performance - no issues at all backing up. It makes some noises when going around turns, but not a big deal for me.
I highly recommend going to eTrailer.com - they have a LOT of good information about hitches and towing.
__________________
2017 F350 SC, 6.7 PS 4x4 DRW
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10-20-2015, 08:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 109
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Just had a big thread on this on another forum. I'm big on the Anderson hitch. Totally new design and it works great. No grease to mess with and no ungainly heavy bars to unhook and put way. Very quiet and smooth. Pulling an 8000+ Sprinter TT and it handles it well. Check it out. They have a good youtube video on set up and use.
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Bruce & Sarah, 2018 Keystone Sprinter 319MKS, 2016 Ram 2500HD 6.7L Cummins, 1997 Ranger Rebel I/B Jet Bass Boat (not at the same time)
St. Charles, MO.
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10-20-2015, 08:53 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: HillBilly country, Smokey Mtns
Posts: 4,171
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Best of the bunch is the ProPride. Expensive, but worth it.
2nd place is the Hensley Arrow. It's the older version of the ProPride, and almost as good. But it will cost you almost the same price as the ProPride. That's sorta like a brand new 1996 F-150 would be almost as good as a brand new 2016 model.
There are several in the affordable price but excellent function area. List price is around $1,000 and online price a hair over $600. Reese Strait-Line Trunnion bar, Equal-I-Zer, Blue Ox SwayPro. I don't know about the Anderson. Husky Centerline was right up there with the Strait-Line until they changed it recently and lowered the price. Now I wouldn't consider a CenterLine until after the RV press tests it and prints their reviews.
Reese and Husky also make cheap hitches you should avoid. If you find it on sale for less than $600 (including adjustable shank), than that's probably the cheap ones you want to avoid. Pay attention if you decide on a Strait-Line. Some retailers sell a version without a shank for less than $600. But you have to have the adjustable shank and that will set you back over $100.
I have had a Reese Strait-Line for years. Excellent hitch with excellent sway control when properly set up and adjusted. I recently invested in a ProPride 3P for my TT, and continue to use the Strait-Line on my cargo trailer.
__________________
Grumpy ole man with over 60 years towing experience. Now my heaviest trailer is a 7'x16' 5,000-pound flatbed utility trailer, my tow vehicle is a 2019 F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCab with Max Tow (1,904 pounds payload capacity).
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10-20-2015, 10:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 146
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I use a Equalizer hitch. Other than it being a little loud I've never heard any complaints or had one.
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10-21-2015, 04:21 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 542
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I am very happy with my equalizer 4 point as well. Had the chain setup on my old camper... it was ok, but not near as good as the equalizer
__________________
2014 Ram 3500 CCLB 4x4 Dually 68RFE, 370/800 Cummins 3.42 highway gear - Deep Cherry Red
2016 Coachmen Chapparal 360IBL
Sold - 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT QCLB 4x4 - Cummins Power
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10-24-2015, 09:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,846
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For a 500 lb tongue weight you can use quite a range of hitches as mentioned. Not much need for a Propride at this light weight. If money is no object go for it. I use an Equal-l-zer and it is great. If you get one remember you don't grease the L brackets on the trailer frame. You can use the boots but no grease. It cuts down on the sway control feature. Check with manufacturer to verify this because some on this site keep saying you can use grease when you can't. You can grease the upper and lower socket surfaces that hold the weight distribution bars.
If you plan on upgrading to a heavier TT then you may want a system with a tongue weight capacity of 1000lbs.
Good luck.
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11-05-2015, 07:43 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bttravel
Just had a big thread on this on another forum. I'm big on the Anderson hitch. Totally new design and it works great. No grease to mess with and no ungainly heavy bars to unhook and put way. Very quiet and smooth. Pulling an 8000+ Sprinter TT and it handles it well. Check it out. They have a good youtube video on set up and use.
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Amen, best money spent for my wife's riding comfort.
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11-06-2015, 06:11 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: St. Augustine
Posts: 229
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My Blue Ox is a piece of cake. Very easy to hook up and it provides excellent weight distribution. My wife and I hook it up faster than Billy-be-jiggers. I suppose the anti sway works as intended as I never had any sway but than I'm carefully set up and carry more tongue weight than most, about 17% since I use a toy hauler as a normal travel trailer (no machines in back).
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11-06-2015, 08:48 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Issaquah/Grand Coulee, WA
Posts: 1,073
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Never had any backing up issues with my Equal-I-Zer.
I did get tired of the noise.
I cut four small strips of teflon, about 1/8" thick, and epoxied them to the inside and bottom of the L, where some people suggested grease.
It has rendered the unit silent, except for VERY sharp turns, where I may get a single POP. Does not seem to affect the other functions. Still uses friction, but quieter friction, not metal-to-metal.
__________________
2015 24' Rockwood UltraLite 2304DS w/Equal-I-Zer 4-Point 1000lb sway control.
2014 39' Montana 3402RL (full-time)
Towing with 2018 Ram 2500 and 2014 Ecodiesel Grand Cherokee
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