Equal-i-zer hitch metal chipping/breaking off and denting.

Looks like a poor casting to me. Not dangerous IMHO but I would want a new one.

I always found that they were great at responding to any issues. I would call them or email them and send the pictures. It has always been a great company with great support.

Its not even a year old yet. Bought it last October.

Towed thousands of miles with mine and so far no problems in 4 years

Sifter,
Having owned the 14,000 pound model of that hitch for ten years, my opinion is your pictures show normal wear. My Equal-i-zer showed similar wear but it wasn't problematic. The flaking you see is superficial, keep an eye on it and ask for a replacement if it cracks. Being the weight bar sockets, a crack won't be catastrophic.
Lastly, I don't believe this component of the hitch is cast. I believe the only cast component is the main head.
Happy travels,
Randy

This one is the 12K model.

My 6 yo Equalizer had several such small chips and such when I finally stopped using it. It never affected the performance though, and never got so bad the bars weren't still held firmly. (Replaced with another hitch famous for cosmetic issues - Hensley Cub.)

Rather than depend on internet opinions, it is always best to simply approach the manufacturer and ask them. Send them the same pictures and ask if they think that there is a problem.

If they say no and there subsequently is a problem, you have yourself covered as far as legal definition/liability/financial compensation. This could simply be a replacement of the part, to whatever. In this day and age, you have to think like a lawyer, even to the extent of what you post up on the internet (which could be traced back to you)

Do your correspondence via email and retain copies, both electronic and paper, on a media that can be saved.

If they say no and there is no future problems, your concern has been relieved.

Mine came with a lifetime warranty. When a part broke on our recent trip, they sent out 2 new ones. Granted it took 10 days for the package to arrive, but it fit right in place.

We have no positive idea why it broke. It may have been the sharp U turn on a very hilly surface.

The part that broke was the 3" (or so) square tube the sway bars fit into. A chunk broke off between the upper left corner and the lower right corner all the way down to the pin that secures the sway bar to the square tube.

Just wondering what happened for the OP, if they contacted Progress Mfg.