Equal-i-zer or Andersen?

[dee74]

Before you think this is another which one is better survey let me share my experience. I bought a lightweight, 25 foot,3500 pound(empty) tt last year and the dealer installed an Equal-i-zer 12k hitch. I did not know anything about WDH so I assumed this was the one I needed. I later found out that too much hitch can create its own problems and loose some of its effectiveness at distributing weight (according to three dealers and some internet research) I am purchasing a new 34 foot, 6500 pound (empty) tt this week. I plan to use the 12k Equal-i-zer hitch that I have and just move it to the new tt. The dealer is fine with moving and setting up the hitch but thinks I may be happier with the Andersen hitch. Of course he sells that hitch but he also sells the Equal-i-zer hitch. I am weighing the options of both hitches and I am fine with keeping the Equal-i-zer but does anyone have any experience with the Andersen hitch and a tt that is similar in size to my new tt that they can share?

[owenssailor]

We have an Equal-i-zer that we are very happy with. During our winter trip for 5 months it stayed locked into the truck reciever. I made sure to buy a locking pin rated for the weight we are towing.

[dee74]

After reading the replies and some other forums I am sticking with my Equal-i-zer 12K. I am familiar with how it works and it is already paid for. I think I will try to find a way to lock the hitch to the truck so I can leave it on for all of camping season, half the work is lugging the hitch head out of storage each time I hook up.

[Ron_Gratz]

dee74 wrote:
---I am weighing the options of both hitches and I am fine with keeping the Equal-i-zer but does anyone have any experience with the Andersen hitch and a tt that is similar in size to my new tt that they can share?

I don't have experience with either the Andersen WDH or the Equal-I-zer.

However, IMO, the most important question when considering an Andersen WDH is:
How much will the loaded tongue weight be, and how much load do you want the WDH to restore to the TV's front axle?

As has been mentioned, your 6500# (empty weight) TT might have a tongue weight of 1000# or more.
That much TW could remove 400-500# from the TV's front axle when hitched with no WD applied.

If your current TV is the 2008 F-150 mentioned in a previous thread,
Ford specifies that the WDH should be adjusted to restore approximately 100% of the load which was removed from the front axle.
Andersen user reports indicate that, for a TW of 1000#, it is not likely the Andersen WDH will be able to restore more than about 50%.

IMO, the Andersen WDH is not a good candidate for your TV/TT combination.

Ron

[rexlion]

For hitch weights under about 750 lbs, I'd favor the Andersen. If more than that, the Equal-i-zer. Yes, I have owned and used both, but the Andersen was used with a 360-390 lb hitch weight.

[camp-n-family]

There were several early-adopters of the Andersen on here a while back that posted a lot of data. The general consensus, IIRC, was that once the trailer gets north of the 5000lb mark, it had a difficult time transferring enough weight off the tongue to balance the weight distribution adequately.

^^This is the most common complaint I have seen. I would stick with the Equil-i-zer as it is proven to work with that size tt and you already have it. Just make sure you have adequate bars. There are pads you can get for them to reduce noise.

Sounds like the dealer is just trying to make a buck on something you don't need.

[kzspree320]

I am frugal so I would stay with what I already owned if it worked well and I could handle it.

[fla-gypsy]

Your call but the Equalizer is a well proven system that you already own.

[kvangil]

handye9 wrote:


Sounds like you would be fixing something that isn't broke.

X2. You should be fine with the Equal-I-Zer that you already have. As for the creaking/popping sound, a little grease on the moving parts and ours is quiet for the whole season. Remember the dealer has an incentive to sell you the Andersen, since he makes more money off that deal. At the end of the day though, it's whatever you feel most comfortable doing. If you're going to regret not getting the Andersen, then go ahead and spring the money for it. You only live once... 🙂

[handye9]

dee74 wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

but (the dealer) thinks I may be happier with the Andersen hitch.

First I would ask why? Then I would go with the Anderson if the dealer makes sense.

I did ask why. The advantages that he listed were the unique design,how the hitch works (which after some research I understand a little better) the ease of use, and the lightweight (which spoke to me because my back is not as strong as it used to be). He also said that this hitch is extremely quiet compared to the Equal-i-zer, and my wife gets nervous every time that hitch pops and cracks even though I explain that is normal for metal on metal contact.

He was correct in the ease of use, quiet, and lite weight. Couple other benefits are, grease or oil is not required (it stays cleaner) on any part of the hitch, and, I couldn't tell much difference, but, my DW says she no longer needs a sports bra for riding on our rough roads.

Your back situation could be your justification for making the switch. When ordered by mail, an Andersen hitch comes in a box that weighs 60 lbs. That includes trailer frame brackets and chains. The part you'll be sliding in and out of your receiver, probably weighs under 50 lbs.

Going to keep the Equalizer? Maybe, keep it as backup. Maybe, sell it. If you trade it in, I hope the dealer gives you a decent price for it.

[jerem0621]

I am probably going with the Andersen for my Awesome Pop Up camper.

[dee74]

gijoecam wrote:
There were several early-adopters of the Andersen on here a while back that posted a lot of data. The general consensus, IIRC, was that once the trailer gets north of the 5000lb mark, it had a difficult time transferring enough weight off the tongue to balance the weight distribution adequately. (There were also concerns with long-term wear and stresses applied to the coupler latch that, in my opinion, were never adequately resolved through some type of analytical testing on the part of the manufacturer... They designed a great component for their part, but their part is only one half of the system)

This was definitely a concern of mine when I read this in other forums. I am having a hard time finding many 2014-2015 posts or discussions and was just curious if Andersen had addressed any of these concerns.

[dee74]

jmtandem wrote:
Sounds like the dealer knows his hitches. Nothing to decide as it is a no brainer.

I am sure he does he has been in business for over 30 years but in my experience every dealer operates with incentives that create a hidden agenda.

[jmtandem]

Sounds like the dealer knows his hitches. Nothing to decide as it is a no brainer.

[gijoecam]

There were several early-adopters of the Andersen on here a while back that posted a lot of data. The general consensus, IIRC, was that once the trailer gets north of the 5000lb mark, it had a difficult time transferring enough weight off the tongue to balance the weight distribution adequately. (There were also concerns with long-term wear and stresses applied to the coupler latch that, in my opinion, were never adequately resolved through some type of analytical testing on the part of the manufacturer... They designed a great component for their part, but their part is only one half of the system)