Forum Discussion

aarond76's avatar
aarond76
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013

Equalizer vs Dual Cam

I am currently pulling a roughly 9,000 lb 34' camper with a Reese Round bar WDH and friction sway control. My bars are rated at 1,000 lbs, I am sure tongue weight is substantially more but they seem to ride fine.

I want to get rid of the friction sway and go to either a Dual Cam or Equalizer set-up. If I stay with the 1,000 lb bars I can add the Dual Cam for around $200 so that is the cheapest option. However if I go to heavier rated bars I'm basically buying everything new and the cost is comparable between equalizer and a complete new dual cam set-up.

I had a 600/6000 lb Equalizer on a hybrid before and liked the set-up. The Equalizers were very popular with the hybrid people. It seems like the heavier campers tend to go with Dual Cam more often. Is one system better then the other when towing heavy? I want the nicest set-up I can get without going the $$$$ route of Propride or Hensley.

On the Reese hitches is there any performance difference between round bar and trunion bar? I see a fair amount of the trunnion bar 1,200 lb hitches complete with Dual Cam on Cragslist. The ball mount on our camper is attached to the top of the frame, I assume that limits me to round bar and the trunnion hitches are made for campers that have the ball mount on the bottom of the frame?

Alot of people say to add a 2nd friction sway bar with this long of camper. The only way to do that on a Reese hitch is to have someone weld another plate on the left side of the hitch head. By the time you do all that you might as well pay a little more for the Dual Cam so that is not really a consideration.

Thanks.

67 Replies

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  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    Dual Cam install was no issue for me. Just was very careful that I had it all figured out BEFORE I drilled to mount the snap up brackets. It does take a little more time than Equal-i-zer initially.

    I think many folks are a little scared of the Dual Cam install because of the frame drilling...Equal-i-zer does not require any drilling.

    Again, I found that the Dual Cam did a little better job with sway in windy conditions and is MUCH quieter...My wife hated the screech and scream of Equal-i-zer.
  • aarond76's avatar
    aarond76
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    So I look at the Dual Cam system and read everyone's comments about how difficult it is to get adjusted properly. What is exactly so complicated about it? Once you have the weight bars adjusted to your liking is it not just a matter of adjusting the length of the threaded rods on the cams until they center in the detents? Obviosly it is more complicated that this but I don't understand yet what the issue is?
  • steeleshark's avatar
    steeleshark
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    I just got a new 12k Equalizer for my setup. I will be installing it at the end of this week. From all the research I have done, "all the small parts" really is no big deal. Get a parts kit to keep on standby. Most people have never had to use theirs. Other reasons I chose the Equalizer is that I also like the simplicity of the hook and unhook of the Equalizer. The Equalizer is tried and true. It also is American made if that matters to you. Look at some videos on both hitches to find what will work best for you. As stated before, you can not go wrong with either hitch.
  • 301TBS's avatar
    301TBS
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    I have the round bar dual cam with 1200lb bars. I would have to agree with "down the road", it seems to work well, very quiet. But difficult and time consuming to get dialed in.
    No experience with equalizer.
    Good luck with your choice.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    Most likely everyone will defend and recommend what they have.
    I have had both.

    First...for a 34 footer, I'd move away from friction bars.
    Second...get the correct bar rating for your loaded tongue weight.

    Equal-i-zer is a good system but is basically friction based anti sway. It is initially easier to install than than Reese Strait-Line.
    Equal-i-zer has more parts and pieces..clips, pins, that are part of the hook up and un hook each time you use it.

    Dual Cam must be installed correctly and dialed in. Once it is, it does a little better job of sway control from my experience.

    Equal-i-zer holds the trailer in whatever position it is in...Dual Cam snaps or returns the trailer back into a straight line with the tow vehicle
    It is also somewhat easier to hook up and un hitch each time you use it.

    A biggie for me was that Dual Cam is not as noisy during turns and backing. Our Equal-i-zer really screeched and screamed. (yes, I used all the lubricating tips).

    Both are really good hitches and you really can't go wrong with either.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    I would go with the Dual Cam. We tend to invest time and money in selecting a trailer and a tow vehicle and then the important hitch is almost an after thought. It should not be and it is good you are thinking this through.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2013
    The Reese is a little quieter but more picky about being adjusted well. Round vs. trunion doesn't matter expect they are limited somewhat with respect to ratings, like round only for 1000, trunion for higher.

    It's really getting picky between the two. Both have many happy owners. Pick the cheaper one? I love my Reese. I have hated it at times as well when it was not adjusted correctly. Scary at 60mph, rock solid at 75mph is a matter of getting those cams centered.

    You should get some real weights as to properly choose the right strength. TW tends to creep up on RVers.

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