I had an old school Reese system with the chains on the ends of the bars and the catches on the trailer A-frame that snapped up, along with a separate sway bar. I used it for over 10 years. Don't know why, maybe with change of trailers, heavier, or rougher roads, the hitch head bent. I then switched to a 4 point Equal-i-zer.
At first I felt awkward with the Equal-i-zer 4 point. It was just too simple to hitch up. I felt like something was always missing. But not having to deal with that friction sway bar was (and still is) so nice!
Equal-i-zer makes those little plastic pads that fit on the L-brackets to help reduce noise. I bought a set the same time I got the hitch system, so I have no clue how noisy,if at all, it was or is. The engine noise of my diesel truck and especially with windows closed, I never hear any noise from the hitch.
My wife has driven the truck and trailer while I was outside watching. She did some sharp turns, both directions, and I never though there was excessive noise or anything from the hitch system. If the ball of the hitch is greased good, mine doesn't make noticeable noise.
I suppose that "noise" everyone talks about is kind of like "beauty" ... "In the ear of the beholder."
I have never experienced sway of any kind with my set up. The Equal-i-zer 4 point is very easy to attach including the first time set up and very easy to hitch up afterwards. If the tongue jack is jacked high enough, I never have to use the cheater bar, I usually lift the bars on the L-bracket with the tow of my foot.
Everyone has their own preferences and pretty much, whatever everyone is using at the moment, well ... they will surly tell you ... theirs is the best! So, I'll toot my horn too! For the price, the ease of attaching, the ease of hitching, and the performance, the 4 point Equal-i-zer is a tough bird to follow.
