Choosing the right equalizer/sway hitch

TomG2 wrote:
---What Ron is quoting is for the 1500 series towing over 7,000 pounds. 50% is the required FALR for those models. Per GM

The current Silverado Owners Manual is a bit ambiguous in this regard.

In one place the manual says, for a 1500-series truck, a WDH must be used if the tongue weight exceeds 800#.
This implies that a trailer with a TW% of 15%, and a weight greater than 5333#, must use a WDH.
It also implies that a trailer with a TW% of 10%, and a weight less than 8000#, does not need a WDH.

In another place the manual says, for a 1500-series truck, a WDH must be used if the trailer weight exceeds 7000#, a WDH is required and the "weight distribution" (assumed to mean FALR) should be 50%.
This implies that a trailer with a TW% of 15%, and a tongue weight less than 1050#, does not need a WDH.
It also implies that a trailer with a TW% of 10%, and a tongue weight greater than 700#, must use a WDH.

Perhaps what the recent Silverado Owners Manuals are saying to 1500-series owners is:
if your tongue weight exceeds 800#
OR
if your trailer weight exceeds 7000#,
then you must use a WDH.
And, whether required to or not, if you do use a WDH, it should be adjusted to eliminate approximately 50% of the front-end rise (50% FALR).

For Silverado 1500s prior to the 2013 MY, the WDH-adjustment specification call for returning the front end to the unhitched height (100% FALR).

Ron

I have a Lance and use the Equalizer 4 point. And yes , you will need the special bracket for the Bal/Norco frame

GM 2500 and 3500 models for the last four years do not require a weight distributing hitch for tongue weights of 1,000 pounds. None required according to the people that design and build these trucks. O% FALR is required. That is not to say that some is not a good thing, just not required per the owner's manuals. What Ron is quoting is for the 1500 series towing over 7,000 pounds. 50% is the required FALR for those models. Per GM

TerryandKim wrote:
I was looking at the Anderson No Sway online last night- wondering why you would not recommend it for a heavier TT?? I was considering it for my combo.

Your 28BHS G2 might have a loaded tongue weight of 1000#. Perhaps you know the actual value?

Whether the Andersen will work for your TT depends on what your load transfer objective is.
Prior to circa 2011, Chevrolet/GMC specified that the WDH should be adjusted to return the front end to its unhitched height. This implies a Front Axle Load Restoration of 100%.
Now, Chevrolet/GMC specifies that, for some vehicles and tongue weights, a FALR of 50% is sufficient.

Andersen WDH user reports indicate it is unlikely that you could achieve 100% FALR if using the Andersen hitch with a 1000# tongue weight.
The average FALR for 1000# TW was about 60%.

OTOH, it appears likely you could achieve 50% FALR with the Andersen WDH and 1000# TW.

Ron

TerryandKim wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Since you have a more than adequate tow vehicle, you might want to look into the advantages of the Andersen No Sway hitch. If your trailer weighed twice that, I would not give that suggestion. Quiet, clean, lightweight, are just some of its advantages.

I was looking at the Anderson No Sway online last night- wondering why you would not recommend it for a heavier TT?? I was considering it for my combo.

This has been covered several times and on various forums. Don't own an Anderson but the only negative I've read from Anderson users is not being able to transfer enough weight to the front axle with trailers with heavy tongue weight. They seem to work fine for smaller trailers. I looked long and hard at the Anderson before I bought my Equalizer and determined I have too much tongue weight for the Anderson. Great design for smaller trailers.

For your size trailer, I think the Anderson would work fine.

I convinced the Salesman to throw in the hitch with the purchase of the trailer. They supplied a Blue Ox and I am happy with it.

It is a 26 ft. Dutchmen about 5000 lbs. empty.

Not to start another Andersen thread, but the hitch is limited by its very design in the amount of weight it can transfer or restore to the front axle. Let's say one trailer removes 800 pounds from the tow vehicle's front axle while a lighter trailer only removes 400 pounds. The Andersen will perform very well with the lighter trailer. Possibly not so well with the heavier. Like I said, there are those who have never towed with the Andersen hitch who love to attack it. I am not playing their games. It works.

TomG2 wrote:
Since you have a more than adequate tow vehicle, you might want to look into the advantages of the Andersen No Sway hitch. If your trailer weighed twice that, I would not give that suggestion. Quiet, clean, lightweight, are just some of its advantages.

I was looking at the Anderson No Sway online last night- wondering why you would not recommend it for a heavier TT?? I was considering it for my combo.

fireman41 wrote:
X2 on the anderson.

LOVE my Andersen hitch. Quiet, easy to install, lightweight, no bars to lift up into position, easily adjusted, easy to attach/detach. And the company is SUPER to work with if you need anything!

And I had an Equil-I-Zer hitch on my other trailer.

The equalizer has worked well for us. I would however recommend spending the extra money on the sway bracket jackets. I purchased those along with the correct brackets for our bal frame before our last 3500 mile trip and man what a difference. Virtually eliminated all squeaking from the hitch and performed just as well.