We've sold our Class C Jayco and are making the jump to a travel trailer. Have a 3/4 ton Suburban to pull a 32-ft bunkhouse trailer.I've never had to mess with a sway bar before. I get their importance, but I'm confused over options. The Equ-i-lizer seems to be a very popular option, and it's sold locally for $600 - $700. The people who are selling us the trailer have offered to sell us their sway bar set up - a Curt Trunnion Weight Distribution Trailer Hitch 17302 - for $300 (about the cost of a new one).The price differential is huge, and both of them receive positive comments from respective users. So what's the difference? Obviously, my inclination is to go with the cheaper option, unless there's something vital that the Equ-i-lizer offers that the Curt doesn't.Any ideas? Is one far superior to the other to warrant this big of a price difference?

What ever you buy, check out eTrailer.com. Their prices and product support are second to none.A freind just bought a new trailer and the dealer wanted $300 (50%) more for a Reese Dual Cam than eTrailer.

Two different animals completely...The Curt you referenced is a basic weight distribution hitch.The Equal-i-zer and my preference, the Reese Strait Line Dual Cam are combination hitches...they incorporate weight distribution AND sway control.I highly recommend that you get set up with some kind of sway control in addition to the basic weight control for you 32 footer.

As mentioned above, the Curt is just a WD hitch with no sway control unless you add on a friction sway control bar or two (two recommended with that big of a trailer). The Equal-i-zer and Reese Dual Cam hitches mentioned combine both Weight Distribution (WD) with sway control into one hitch. There are also other hitches that combine both functions such as the Husky Centerline, Andersen, Blue Ox Sway Pro and some others.In my opinion, you absolutely should use some kind of sway control with that size of a trailer.Barney

I like what Barney just said.Personally, I would get a hitch with BUILT IN sway control. Adding the friction bar each time is another one of those "extra" steps I don't like to make. The problem will be choosing a hitch you will like. There are many issues here, cost (of course), ease of hooking and unhooking, noise when turning and backing, weight, availability and many more.I like my Equalizer but many like their other brands as well. Years ago, there were issues with some hitches when it came to backing up. I also did not like the whole process of snapping the chains in place when hooking up. The Equalizer brand was much easier for me to deal with. Since that time these two issues have been addressed and the list of options have grown.If you want to spend between 2.5 and 3 K you can get a Pro Pride or a Hensley Arrow. ;)

Look at the Blue Ox Sway Pro. I'm very happy with mine. Simple, clean, quiet, and effective.

Sway bar options - totally befuddled | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Stpierre142
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
I have an equil-I-zer with my 28' TT and lke it very much...
cmack
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
I use the Equal-I-zer hitch. I felt it was easier to hook and unhook form the trailer. At the time I bought it RVW had the best pricing. Also, if you don't already have a power tongue jack installed get one. It's much easier and faster then hand cranking, not to mention your back and arm will be much happier :)
gmw_photos
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
Gary,
I see you are local to where I live also. I too chose the BlueOx swaypro, although mine is the older design. It works well for me. Among the things I like about it is they offer the weight bars in different weight ratings, so you can tailor it to your specific trailer. If you buy a lighter or heavier trailer another time, all you have to swap are the bars. Other manufacturers may have a similar feature, I don't know for sure.
I got my hitch (ordered thru) a RV repair shop over in Tonganoxie.

PM me if you have any questions. Have fun with the new camper.

george
REDF350
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
We use the basic weight distribution hitch with the friction type sway control and it works fine. Some folks prefer the other type. I think they both work ok.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2013
I've never had to mess with a sway bar before. I get their importance, but I'm confused over options. The Equ-i-lizer seems to be a very popular option, and it's sold locally for $600 - $700. The people who are selling us the trailer have offered to sell us their sway bar set up - a Curt Trunnion Weight Distribution Trailer Hitch 17302 - for $300 (about the cost of a new one).

The price differential is huge, and both of them receive positive comments from respective users. So what's the difference? Obviously, my inclination is to go with the cheaper option, unless there's something vital that the Equ-i-lizer offers that the Curt doesn't.

Any ideas? Is one far superior to the other to warrant this big of a price difference?

Go with Blue Ox or Reese. I have an Equalizer and would not purchase another one. Why not try the Curt before you drop coin in a new hitch. You might want to get a sway bar or two but they are inexpensive. That is a lot of trailer for a three quarter ton Suburban. Check the receiver to be sure it can handle the tongue weight and do not use dry tongue weights. You might want to upgrade the receiver to handle the 1200-1300 pounds of tongue weight that will likely be the norm for your towing. Use gross trailer weight and multiply by .13 to get a good idea of what the real tongue weights will be or go to the scales. You may also need some supsension mods to the burb especially if it will be fully loaded with kids, dogs, stuff.......
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
Look at the Blue Ox Sway Pro. I'm very happy with mine. Simple, clean, quiet, and effective.
aftermath
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2013
I like what Barney just said.

Personally, I would get a hitch with BUILT IN sway control. Adding the friction bar each time is another one of those "extra" steps I don't like to make. The problem will be choosing a hitch you will like. There are many issues here, cost (of course), ease of hooking and unhooking, noise when turning and backing, weight, availability and many more.

I like my Equalizer but many like their other brands as well. Years ago, there were issues with some hitches when it came to backing up. I also did not like the whole process of snapping the chains in place when hooking up. The Equalizer brand was much easier for me to deal with. Since that time these two issues have been addressed and the list of options have grown.

If you want to spend between 2.5 and 3 K you can get a Pro Pride or a Hensley Arrow. ;)
BarneyS
Nomad
Aug 10, 2013
As mentioned above, the Curt is just a WD hitch with no sway control unless you add on a friction sway control bar or two (two recommended with that big of a trailer). The Equal-i-zer and Reese Dual Cam hitches mentioned combine both Weight Distribution (WD) with sway control into one hitch. There are also other hitches that combine both functions such as the Husky Centerline, Andersen, Blue Ox Sway Pro and some others.

In my opinion, you absolutely should use some kind of sway control with that size of a trailer.
Barney
downtheroad
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
Two different animals completely...The Curt you referenced is a basic weight distribution hitch.

The Equal-i-zer and my preference, the Reese Strait Line Dual Cam are combination hitches...they incorporate weight distribution AND sway control.

I highly recommend that you get set up with some kind of sway control in addition to the basic weight control for you 32 footer.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 10, 2013
What ever you buy, check out eTrailer.com. Their prices and product support are second to none.
A freind just bought a new trailer and the dealer wanted $300 (50%) more for a Reese Dual Cam than eTrailer.

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Sway bar options - totally befuddled

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