If you want a good hitch, there are plenty to choose from. It seems to me that Reese and Equalizer are at the top when it comes to companies that have been around a long time a have very dependable products.
I use the Equalizer and have done so for about 15 years now. Way back, a long time ago, the Reese hitches needed to be disconnected when backing. That and the fact that I didn't like snapping the chains into place steered me toward the Equalizer. It is a very easy hitch to hook up and has worked very well for me. Today, the Reese hitches are much better and are easy to use as well. It would be a coin flip for me today.
I am towing with a half ton and pull a trailer similar in weight to the one your brother is looking at. The Equalizer works for me.
I did not mention the HA or PP hitches as I was trying to respect your opening statement about cost. These hitches are in a world apart from the rest, better in many regards but they do have down sides as well.