Reese SC Weight Dist. vs Equalizer

Damdifino wrote:
I'm having a bit of a problem with sway on my short wheelbase (only 112") Land Cruiser towing a 23 ft trailer with tongue weight of 780 lbs.
Currently use the Andersen. My question is this: is the Reese SC Weight Distribution System with Sway Control equivalent to the Equalizer hitch?

Also I'm intrigued by the Blue Ox system. How robust is the sway control on the Blue Ox?

In general, longer WB provides a more stable ride. Any trailer instability (side-to-side, or up and down) may be felt more readily with a shorter wheelbase.

I'm using an Andersen hitch, with a longer / heavier trailer, and not having issues with sway.

I agree with the others, who have mentioned doing more research. The expense of replacing your hitch, may or may not be your solution.

Is it possible you have some of these issues?

1. hitch ball height set too high (trailer tows nose up).
2. unbalanced chain tension = unbalanced sway control.
3. not enough chain tension .
4. not enough tongue weight.
5. unbalanced tire pressures.
6. unbalanced load.
7. sidewall flex in tow vehicle tires.
8. soft suspension on tow vehicle.
9. insufficient payload (maybe trailer is heavier than you think).
10. axle out of alignment on the trailer.
11. tow vehicle wheelbase, too short.

GMT830 wrote:
I have a Reese Dual Cam and love it. I towed my TT 150 miles, mostly highway, last week and barely knew it was there. 53' Van trailers, 28' Doubles, none of them caused sway. It was windy and gusty.

those events DO NOT CAUSE SWAY and would recommend you so some more research in what sway is and it's sources.

From what I see, the Equalizer is nothing more than a glorified friction device. Which is more of a sway reducer after sway happens as opposed to a true sway preventer < < - - apparently that's not a word..... like the the Reese DC. For reference, I also hauled a similar trailer the same day without the DC and couldn't take my hand off the brake control due to sway issues.

again you need to do some more research and understand how these various hitches work and the principles they employ since your belief that the DC system is some sort of sway preventer is TOTALLY FALSE. Both the Equal-i-zer and DC use the same principles of friction to mitigate the effects of sway.

I'm not familiar with the Blue Ox.

You don't list the Gross Weight of your trailer but you want a tongue weight of at least 12%, 15% is better. And make sure your trailer is NOT nose high. Dead level or a bit nose down.

EDIT: I have used both the Reese Trunnions and Round Bars. Most people seem to think the Trunnions are better but I find the round bars easier to install. One big benefit of the round bars is that they lock into the hitch so they don't fall out as you are hooking up the chains.

Larry

Yes, that hitch looks like it works on a similar principle to the Equalizer, it's not the dual cam type.

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
Looks like most people think you are looking into the DC (Dual Cam), but mean the SC instead.

I believe you're correct. The Reese I'm referring to looks like THIS CLICKY, which to my eye is similar to the Equal-izer in that the spring bars aren't hung from chains. I've read that the dual cam, while a great hitch, can be titchy on initial setup and that it's difficult to hook up to solo (which is how I normally travel.) Also that it needs regular adjustment.

By the way--someone asked: my empty trailer but with full propane, two 6V batteries and full fresh water has a tongue weight of 780 lbs., axle weight of 5240 for a GVW of 6020. Max GVWR is 7500 lbs.

Thank you everybody for your replies...

Flip a coin, they're both good hitches. I went with the Equalizer 4pt due to the design of my trailer frame and tongue but would be happy with either.

I also have the first generation sc hitch. Love it. Works great. My loaded trailer weight is 5500# at 23'. Not had a problem with it and it is very quiet.

I liked the idea of the break material as the landing pads for the bars.

This is the second trailer we have used the same Reese Pro Series SC hitch on, and it has performed flawlessly. The only problem we ever had was that it originally (back in 2008 when we bought it) came with a lighter duty trunnion head rather than the heavier duty one used on the DC series - and it showed signs of early wear and failure. It was replaced under warranty with the heavier duty trunnion head, and there have been no problems 35,000 miles and six years later. Just make sure you get current production with the heavier duty head .....

Looks like most people think you are looking into the DC (Dual Cam), but mean the SC instead.

I would have the Reese SC if my dealer's secretary didn't mess up the order. I ended up with the Reese DC instead. From what I looked at, the Reese is more upgradeable, as it uses the standard trunion bars, where as the Equalizer 4P, you have to buy a whole new setup if you want bigger bars. The Equalizer 4P seems to have more built in sway control, but I am only guessing that due to the design of the hitch head with the resistance.

I have a Reese Dual Cam and love it. I towed my TT 150 miles, mostly highway, last week and barely knew it was there. 53' Van trailers, 28' Doubles, none of them caused sway. It was windy and gusty.

From what I see, the Equalizer is nothing more than a glorified friction device. Which is more of a sway reducer after sway happens as opposed to a true sway preventer < < - - apparently that's not a word..... like the the Reese DC. For reference, I also hauled a similar trailer the same day without the DC and couldn't take my hand off the brake control due to sway issues.

I'm not familiar with the Blue Ox.

You don't list the Gross Weight of your trailer but you want a tongue weight of at least 12%, 15% is better. And make sure your trailer is NOT nose high. Dead level or a bit nose down.

EDIT: I have used both the Reese Trunnions and Round Bars. Most people seem to think the Trunnions are better but I find the round bars easier to install. One big benefit of the round bars is that they lock into the hitch so they don't fall out as you are hooking up the chains.

Can only speak of my experience with the Reese DC since I've never had the other two. I'm very happy with my Reese with sway control, weight transfer, and ease of hook up. I did the install myself which took me a couple of hours because I wanted to make sure it was set up right the first time. Have had it 3 years and would buy it again.