Equalizer or Dual Cam.....which is better?

[zogg]

I'm pulling a V nose TT at about 8,000 pounds with my 2013 Ram 2500.
The hitch that cma with it is the standard WD hitch with round bars and a single sway bar that pins to one side of the hitch.

It's ok, I guess, but I have read a lot about the Equalizer and the Reese Dual Cam. I have looked hard at both and just cannot decide. The reviews on the dual cam seem to indicate a better sway control, but the dual cam seems extremely complicated compared to the Equalizer.

It appears that the biggest issue with the Equalizer is torquing down the hitch ball and maybe some squeeking when turning.

We went to WIsconson last summer from southern Illinois (about 700 miles) and I was pretty "white knuckled" most of the way. I think I might enjoy the ride better with better sway control. I kept tightening the sway bar until I had it as tight as I could get it, and there were still several sway issues.

Anyway, I would like to hear from those folks that have the dual cam or the equalizer.....anyone had both??? Thanks in advance...

[SkippysPad]

Having started with the basic Reese setup with a friction sway controller, then moving up to a Straight Line (Dual Cam) when we bought the new camper 4 years ago, I only have One complaint for the Dual Cam. It's possible to turn sharp enough to pop the bar over the cam. I did it leaving a gas station and heard it hit the ground so I was able to go back and snap it back into place. The setup however did it's job for both weight transfer and sway control.

We just sold our Coachmen 295RLDS, and I sold the DC hitch with it so the new owner wouldn't have to drill new holes in the tongue and could leave it set with a few minor tweaks.

Our new trailer is a KZ MXT 303. Identical on weight and length. I ordered an Equalizer hitch for this one. I like the idea of not drilling holes in the trailer tongue, as well as being able to adjust the friction plates so the bars can't slip out. The simplicity of the Equalizer is what really caught my eye.

[CND_SuperCrew]

I have 25k kms on our Equal-i-zer in 5 seasons, running every type of road/hi-way/interstate in our travels, never had a problem other then general maint.

[jerem0621]

Or you can order a $50.00 sway bar for the other side of your trailer and save $350-600.00 and have dual friction sway control.

It's not popular on here but it is effective...at least as effective as the friction Equal-i-zer.

I will say this about Dual Cam.... It is strong and set up correctly it is a very effective sway control hitch. Dual cam will work to return a trailer to center behind the tow vehicle, at least in theory.

I went through this process too. I had no sway control, went with one sway bar and that took most of the wiggle between the truck and trailer out.... I added a second sway bar and all of the extra little wiggle was gone.

I have dual cam sway control sitting in my parts bin in my garage I didn't like it for various reasons and went back to my dual sway bars. I can't bring my self to give it away or sell it for some reason.

If I were buying a new WD hitch I would take a very hard look at the Blue Ox Sway Pro.

Thanks and good luck in your decision.

Jeremiah

[ggardne2]

I've had both a dual cam and an equalizer and much prefer the equalizer. The dual cam is tricky to set up, and I had issues on a heavy tongue weight trailer (1400 lb) with snap up brackets bending. I installed an equalizer and had no more issues. Also, the equalizer is made in the United States ... I've been told (but haven't verified) that at least the castings on the Reese hitches are now coming from China.

[mich800]

I think you would be fine with either. I have the dual cam and very satisfied. But you might want to find out what is making the sway first. That TT shouldn't be giving you troubles. Maybe play with the bar tension on what you have.

[mosseater]

Can't say about Equalizer, never owned one. I can say I wasn't happy with my Dual Cam until I got it sorted out and set up correctly. Now I love it. Plenty of help on this board to get it right (the first time!). I'm gonna guess that if they're both installed and adjusted correctly, it's a matter of personal preference.

[Bill___Kate]

We have the Reese Pro Series SC which combines the convenience of the Reese trunion style head with the friction principle of the Equilazer only the bars rest on a brake pad type of material instead of a bolt. Seems to work great and was easy to set up.

[rexlion]

I own an Equal-i-zer, although I don't use it with the little TT I now own. It worked great with a 23' Rockwood towed by my Mountaineer, and it was pretty easy to install myself. Just a matter of reading and following the directions.

I've read more than one comment on this forum from people who had trouble with their Dual Cams because they weren't set up correctly by their RV dealer. Seems like they might be a little easier to screw up the setup, and when they are set up wrong they do not work right. And if the holes were drilled in the wrong spots, you get to drill new ones. No drilling with the Equal-i-zer.

[ScottG]

I removed an Equalizer for the new DC, made a world of difference.

[Ron3rd]

Both are good hitches. I've got a similar trailer to the OP and use the Equalizer. Very happy.

[dodge_guy]

I use the Reese Dual Cam. my buddy has the EQ. between the two there really isn`t a difference hooking either of them up. they are both very easy. I prefer the Dual Cam because it does a better job at preventing sway rather than stopping it before it happens. and if it does move out of line the DC will tend to return it to center where as the EQ (or a friction sway bar) will hold it where it stops till the TV overcomes the resistance and then straightens it out!

[Drew_K]

I actually have both: Equalizer on my enclosed car trailer and a Reese Dual Cam (Strait Line to be exact) on my 34' travel trailer. I installed both of them myself. My thoughts:

The Equalizer is much easier to install than the Dual Cam. The Equalizer is a bolt together system, so it doesn't require drilling into the trailer tongue. My car trailer is a custom built, all aluminum, and I didn't want to drill holes in the aluminum tongue if I could avoid it. With the Dual Cam, you need a large drill bit, larger than you probably have at home, to drill into your trailer tongue. I also recommend against using a cordless drill because it won't have enough power. Pneumatic or plug in drill will make your life a lot easier.

The Equalizer is also easier to adjust on initial installation. The Dual Cam requires that the cams be exactly in the center of the bar indents, which take a bit of trial and error using a very large wrench. However, once you get past the adjustment required for initial installation, both systems are equally easy to use when connecting your RV/trailer.

The Equalizer can squeak when turning, but, as the instructions say, just apply a thin coat of axle grease and the noise goes away. I have found that the Dual Cam makes a lot more noise, and I also lubricate that one per the manufacturer's instructions. From a noise standpoint, the Equalizer is better.

As for sway control, it's tough to say which is better because I haven't had issues with sway on either my car trailer or TT. Actually, the only time I had problems with sway was when my car trailer had too little tongue weight, but that was user error and not because of the Equalizer.

I went with a Dual Cam on my TT because I have a 1,500 pound tongue weight, and the Equalizer only goes to 1,400 pounds. Reese has a 1,700 pound dual cam model.

[AH64ID]

I have a 29' TT that I tow with the Equal-i-zer 1,200/12,000 hitch on the extended shank.

The TT weighs in at around 7000 ± 300lbs on the axles and 1,100-1,300 on the tongue, about 8,500 max. I tow it with my sig truck, which has a similar rear suspension but different front suspension to your 2013.

It's a great hitch, I can't even tell the trailer is back there most the time and only feel it every now and then in 30mph cross winds (not white-knuckle even in those circumstances). I have towed this trailer over 7K miles with the hitch, as far as 400 miles one-way and lots of short trips on winding mountain roads at speeds up to 65-70. It's a great hitch and would recommend it to anyone.

I often question how much better the ProPride or Hensley could be when the camper tows flawlessly, doesn't ever sway, bounce, or push the truck around.

I will say that I did have to add a rear sway bar when I upgraded to this trailer as I got some TV rear axle sway (aka body roll) from the equal-i-zer bars on slow speed sharp corners on FS roads (mainly since they aren't very level).

[jmtandem]

Dual Cam. Of course, the ProPride or Hensley are far better, not even in the same towing hemisphere.