Which hitch? Sway control? Brake controller?
2005 Nissan Armada 2006 Shamrock 26RS: 6440 GVWR, 27' Experienced drivers, but novices when it comes to towing. Do I need sway control? I assume yes. Which type? Cams are superior performance to ...
Forum Discussion
I have a Prodigy brake controller and love it. Works great, no issues. It is almost universally recommended.
As for weight distribution and sway control. I will first tell you what I've experienced. I started with a Drawtite trunion w/d hitch that came with my trailer and it included a single friction sway control device. I was not happy with that set-up and due to compatibility with my current components was able to add the Reese Dual Cam sway control to my w/d set-up. It made a HUGE difference. You need to make sure they are set-up properly and the cams are centered but the time that takes is well worth it. I only have to make minor 5 minute tweaks 1-3 times per year depending on how the vehicle/trailer is loaded.
Trunion versus Round bar, not sure one is really better than the other. Trunion used to be better for larger trailers because they were available with higher rated bars, but now you can get pretty beefy bars with the round bar versions as well. I think the round bars give slightly better frame clearance for dual cam sway control.
Dual cam versus Equalizer brand. It seems that anyone who has either one is happy. Dual Cam seems to have higher reported problems with getting it set-up properly. There are some great instructions on this web-site to help you avoid those troubles however and if you take some pictures and ask for help as you are working on your set-up, you'll get the extra help you might need to avoid problems. Not really a big deal to me. You occasionally hear of issues with Equalizer as well, either somebody forgets to tighten something, or some various minor issue. They seem simpler easier to use based on the comments I've seen here, I've never owned one however. It is a rare person that has owned both and can actually give an honest apples to apples opinion in how they compare. Someone in this thread already said they had both and preferred the dual cam. As an engineer myself, the dual cam seems to offer better advantages in that it tries to keep the trailer locked in the straight ahead position compared to an Equalizer which is all friction based, even if it is a very good friction based device.
Tires are critical as well. You don't want oversized off road tires. Stock size is generally preferable. If you change sizes it should be to change to a tire which will have stiffer tread blocks, stiffer side walls, and higher load ratings over the stock tire. For truck tires, go with LT tires versus P tires. For car/suv tires, go with more performance oriented tires with higher speed ratings if you can.
As for weight distribution and sway control. I will first tell you what I've experienced. I started with a Drawtite trunion w/d hitch that came with my trailer and it included a single friction sway control device. I was not happy with that set-up and due to compatibility with my current components was able to add the Reese Dual Cam sway control to my w/d set-up. It made a HUGE difference. You need to make sure they are set-up properly and the cams are centered but the time that takes is well worth it. I only have to make minor 5 minute tweaks 1-3 times per year depending on how the vehicle/trailer is loaded.
Trunion versus Round bar, not sure one is really better than the other. Trunion used to be better for larger trailers because they were available with higher rated bars, but now you can get pretty beefy bars with the round bar versions as well. I think the round bars give slightly better frame clearance for dual cam sway control.
Dual cam versus Equalizer brand. It seems that anyone who has either one is happy. Dual Cam seems to have higher reported problems with getting it set-up properly. There are some great instructions on this web-site to help you avoid those troubles however and if you take some pictures and ask for help as you are working on your set-up, you'll get the extra help you might need to avoid problems. Not really a big deal to me. You occasionally hear of issues with Equalizer as well, either somebody forgets to tighten something, or some various minor issue. They seem simpler easier to use based on the comments I've seen here, I've never owned one however. It is a rare person that has owned both and can actually give an honest apples to apples opinion in how they compare. Someone in this thread already said they had both and preferred the dual cam. As an engineer myself, the dual cam seems to offer better advantages in that it tries to keep the trailer locked in the straight ahead position compared to an Equalizer which is all friction based, even if it is a very good friction based device.
Tires are critical as well. You don't want oversized off road tires. Stock size is generally preferable. If you change sizes it should be to change to a tire which will have stiffer tread blocks, stiffer side walls, and higher load ratings over the stock tire. For truck tires, go with LT tires versus P tires. For car/suv tires, go with more performance oriented tires with higher speed ratings if you can.
