ok, I'm just too lazy to look it up, but I'd like opinions on the best weight distributing hitch that also has sway control. I've never towed with one, but feel that it's time to make that step since we plan to travel with our setup now, and I'd just like the peace of mind.... I welcome all input!I do have a class V receiver, so something available with a 2.5" shank would be preferred....***Link Removed***

How heavy is your loaded trailer and how long? I've had 4 different ones...Basic Equalizer type hitch with friction sway bar. (not my choice, there are better options)My favorites:Equal-i-zer brand hitch.. good but really noisyReece Dual Cam Strait-line.....excellent, somewhat hard to set up correctlyBlue Ox SwayPro....excellent.Bottom Line: pick either the Reece or Blue Ox.Also really good is a Hensley, but super expensive.

Equal-i-zer 4 point control. Easy hookup and just works. Can be bought for around $550.00 depending on size.

Love my Blue Ox Sway Pro. Quiet, easy to set up and to hook up. Pulls great, and I've never had any sway.

Ok, you used the word "BEST". That narrows it down to two units. Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride.Dropping down to "BETTER" narrows it down to three units: Equil-i-zer, Reese Dual Cam, or Blue Ox Sway ProDropping even further down to "GOOD" is any of the el-cheapo units that require a separate sway control bar.

Best is in the eye of the beholder. Heard great things from Equal-i-zer.I have Blue ox Sway Pro and love it.Please don't take this the wrong way.. I just find it interesting that you joined today, but you're too lazy to do the search yourself. There's a lot of information on this website, likely a lot more than what you will get with this post.As an aside, one thing to consider regarding the Class V hitch. I have a Class V as well, and I decided to use the adapter (welded in for stability) to make it 2 inch shank. Im actually glad I went with 2 inch because my tow vehicle broke down (water pump/serpentine belt) and I was stuck in middle of nowhere. Had to call road side assistance. Tow truck came out for both TT and truck. they put the truck on the flatbed, and used a hitch to tow my TT. They needed to use my hitch/shank. Good thing it was 2 inch because that was the size of their receiver on this tow truck. Otherwise my TT would have had to be left on side of the road. Just something to consider.Mike

Best weight distributing hitch with a sway control

dthfsa
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
Walaby wrote:
dthfsa wrote:
Blue Ox is okay as long as you have a light trailer and under 28' long. I fought one for a year only to have the dealer replace it with an Equalizer.

That's a new one... My TT is 37 footer, and GVW of nearly 10K and Blue Ox works great.

I did lots of research and looking at comments by users. There are few people who have not been happy with the Blue Ox, but the few that did not like them seemed to have longer trailers. The tech told me they have had issues with toy haulers and also some of the longer trailers, he suggested not to put a Blue Ox on any trailer over 28 feet long.
I don't necessary agree with that, I think it has to do with your particular truck and trailer and every one will be different depending on weights, loading etc.
There are many users who love them and have no issues. I was just unlucky to have a setup that did not work.
I am very happy that my dealer changed out my set up at no cost to me and was willing to work with me a year later on my set up.
afidel
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2017
LVJJJ wrote:
Jumpin' in here again. Started using Equal-I-zer about 20 years ago. Was towing a 30' double slide Arctic Fox with an '88 454 Suburban and for some reason had a big sway problem, just that particular combination I guess. The WD hitch was set up properly, I have known how to do that for a long time. Tried the EQual=I=zer, which solved the problem incredibly well, no sway at all. Used the EQ ever since. When my son bought his first TT I made him by an EQ, he loves it. His dealer tried to sell him a 2 point EQ, (is that a Fastway?). I said don't do it.

The Fastway E2 is fine for lighter to midsized trailers, Fastway is the company that makes the Equilizer and the E2 is their value focused product. Is it as good as the 4 point Equilizer, probably not, but is it sufficient for many setups and a much lower price, for sure. If you've got the money to buy the 4 point EQ then sure, do it, as you've shown it's a well built unit that will last a very, very long time. But if someone doesn't have the spare cash and is going for most half ton towable rigs the E2 works quite well.
Hannibal
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
DutchmenSport wrote:
Hannibal wrote:
... I'll smear a little lube on the L brackets. Lube on the L brackets does reduce sway control a little but not enough to notice in our case. Our Equalizer is silent as a result. I imagine the bracket jackets would do just as well if not better.

...

Putting grease on the L bracket is not a good practice. Lubricating reduces the friction, which is what makes the entire system work.

Lubing the joints on the hitch head, and lubing the hitch ball, and your trailer coupler, yes. But not those L-brackets. You're defeating the entire functionality of the system by doing that. You are fortunate you've not had sway and hope you never do. But please, remove the grease.

Like I said, we towed the TT for a year with no sway control and it towed great with no sway. We're heavy on the tongue and cargo aft of the axles is not allowed. The Equalizer 4 pt did away with the little bit of waggle we got from passing trucks. I'm not recommending others lube their L brackets. Just saying it works for us. Keeps it quiet.
johntinacamping
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
ProPride 3P is the best hitch on the market today. I will never tow with anything else. Why "control" sway when you can eliminate it! And for those who say it's way too expensive but you spent mega bucks on your tow vehicle and trailer - you need to hire a lawyer and sue your brain for non-support. Then get your priorities straight :-)
downtheroad
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
The grease or no grease and where to grease debate is one of the many positives I like about the Blue Ox SwayPro hitch...it has zerk fittings for greasing.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Dec 19, 2017
DutchmenSport wrote:
Hannibal wrote:
... I'll smear a little lube on the L brackets. Lube on the L brackets does reduce sway control a little but not enough to notice in our case. Our Equalizer is silent as a result. I imagine the bracket jackets would do just as well if not better.

...

Snip...
You're defeating the entire functionality of the system by doing that. You are fortunate you've not had sway and hope you never do. But please, remove the grease.

Sorry, but that is not quite the case. The main sway control of the Equal-i-zer hitch comes from the pressure placed on the bar sockets/hitch head interface when the bars are pulled up onto the L brackets. The friction from the bars/L bracket is small compared to the hitch head/bar socket interface.

This info is from Equal-i-zer statements and not my testing. That would also explain why lubing the bar where they rest on the L brackets or using the plastic covers does not reduce the sway control effectiveness very much.
Barney
3oaks
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
lanerd wrote:
Ok, you used the word "BEST". That narrows it down to two units. Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride.

Dropping down to "BETTER" narrows it down to three units: Equil-i-zer, Reese Dual Cam, or Blue Ox Sway Pro

Dropping even further down to "GOOD" is any of the el-cheapo units that require a separate sway control bar.
Your reply deserves a 5-Star rating if there was one. ;)

A direct reply to answer a specific question is a rarity on any forum.

For the record, I am very satisfied with and have always used an Equal-i-zer hitch. :)
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
Hannibal wrote:
... I'll smear a little lube on the L brackets. Lube on the L brackets does reduce sway control a little but not enough to notice in our case. Our Equalizer is silent as a result. I imagine the bracket jackets would do just as well if not better.

...

Putting grease on the L bracket is not a good practice. Lubricating reduces the friction, which is what makes the entire system work.

Lubing the joints on the hitch head, and lubing the hitch ball, and your trailer coupler, yes. But not those L-brackets. You're defeating the entire functionality of the system by doing that. You are fortunate you've not had sway and hope you never do. But please, remove the grease.
LVJJJ
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
Jumpin' in here again. Started using Equal-I-zer about 20 years ago. Was towing a 30' double slide Arctic Fox with an '88 454 Suburban and for some reason had a big sway problem, just that particular combination I guess. The WD hitch was set up properly, I have known how to do that for a long time. Tried the EQual=I=zer, which solved the problem incredibly well, no sway at all. Used the EQ ever since. When my son bought his first TT I made him by an EQ, he loves it. His dealer tried to sell him a 2 point EQ, (is that a Fastway?). I said don't do it.
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 19, 2017
Hannibal wrote:
We towed our 32.5' TT for a year with a Reese HP trunnion style hitch without the sway control arms installed. No sway but an occasional waggle from passing trucks. Nothing scary or dangerous but annoying with long lines of trucks on weekdays. I saw a barely used Equalizer 4 point 10k on ebay close by for a song so I bought it last summer. No more waggle from passing trucks. While lubing the sockets per the manual and the ball before each trip, I'll smear a little lube on the L brackets. Lube on the L brackets does reduce sway control a little but not enough to notice in our case. Our Equalizer is silent as a result. I imagine the bracket jackets would do just as well if not better.

Just a FWIW,
https://www.etrailer.com/question-116001.html

X2 on the Bracket jackets. No mess from grease, quiet, affordable, and they prevent wear on the brackets/bars. Probably enough to pay for the jackets over time.
On my last EQUALIZER before the jackets came out, my brackets were showing pretty good wear (I don't grease them) and would have needed replacing if I had not sold it with that TT.