Which weight distribution setup do you recommend?

Hello,

I just purchased a travel trailer and am now looking to get a weight distribution hitch. My trailer is 23 ft long and weighs about 5000 lbs loaded. I don't want to buy a cheap weight distribution hitch but I definitely don't have the funds to get an expensive one either. I am hoping to get something that comes with sway control but if not then I'll add it later on. Below are the hitches I've been looking at in order of what I'm thinking about buying with the most likely on top so please let me know if you have any feedback on any of them. I picked out three on the cheaper side and three in the mid-range side. Any help would be much appreciated.

Pro Series Weight Distribution System w/ Friction Sway Control - Round - 10,000 lbs GTW, 750 lbs TW - $256
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Pro-Series/PS49902.html

Curt Weight Distribution System with Shank - Pin-Style Trunnion Bar - 8000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW - $255
http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Curt/C17341.html

Eaz-Lift 48057 Elite Weight Distributing Hitch Kit - 800 lbs Capacity - $241
http://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48058-Elite-Weight-Distributing/dp/B005SB6S3Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1464973279&sr=1-1&keywords=Weight+Distributing+Hitch

Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW - $379
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Curt/C17500.html

Husky Center Line Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW - $400
http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Husky/HT32218.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1cS6BRDvhtKL89em1oIBEiQAtZO5x9g5xZMpJWPI9FkZ7_HeacRZgClGVGH9pGrt4x0vBZUaAm5y8P8HAQ

Strait-Line Weight Distribution with Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW - $480
http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Reese/RP66073.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1cS6BRDvhtKL89em1oIBEiQAtZO5xwocJbkZNm-nuz_73emfNEbEBwtYDuTlBTh9XCKDHxkaAjWz8P8HAQ

Thanks

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
From your selection, I would choose:

Curt TruTrack Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW - $379
https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Curt/C17500.html

Because it has the built in sway control, the others do not.

This Reese does have sway control but it's higher priced.
http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Reese/RP66153.html

Personally, I have the Equal-i-zer. It's the closest to the Curt Trunnion you listed above.

I had a Reese, with the chains, and will not go back to another system using the chains.

Click here. MY choice and the one I use.
Walaby
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2016
I love my Blue Ox Swaypro, but it's not on your list. Prior to my Blue Ox, I used a Husky Centerline TS which, I believe, is the same as the Husky on your list. It has sway control. It worked out really well for me too. Only reason I replaced it, is my new trailer tongue weight exceeded 1200 lbs and Husky max is 1200.

If there's one recommendation I would have for you, is don't cheap out on your WD hitch selection. It's one of the most critical safety items you have. The Blue Ox Swaypro is a tad pricier, at about $600, but worth it in my opinion.

Mike
JD_and_Beastlet
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
Very happy with our ProPride 3P/1400
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
neither is my 4 point Equal-i-zer w/built-in sway control, in the OP's list.
only cost around $450 with free shipping from RVW.

i have a similar weight trailer and i would never purchase a WDH without built-in sway control
geneeich
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
I had a blue Ox Sway Pro and was a white knuckle drive. Change to the more expensive Reese Straight Line Dual Cam system and it turned into an easy 2 hand drive. Went to bigger truck and bigger trailer, now a one handed piece of cake. Still it's better to keep both hands on the wheel. Reese hitch is noisy turning a corner, but really works great on the highway. If you have the right setup like I do now, you won't even notice the 18 wheelers unless you see them coming.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Jun 04, 2016
Skip the friction sway bars and go for ones with built in sway control. Top 3, in no order, seem to be Equil-I-zer, Reese dual cam, and Blue Ox. Might be a few more bucks but pennies considering the investment you are protecting. Worth every penny.
Earl_E
Explorer
Jun 04, 2016
OK...here's another one not on your list. I've pulled various trailers for 50 years and by far the easiest most effective one I've found I now use and that's the Andersen. I've heard that they are not so good on really large trailers, but don't know that for a fact. I do know on my setup there is absolutely no blow by or suction from large semis passing me and it is very easy to hook up.
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Jun 04, 2016
If possible try to find out what your actual loaded tw is before you buy a wdh. You probably are in the 650lb or so area based on the 5k lb loaded tt, but a lot of us have been surprised at the scale results.

A wdh w/ bars rated higher than 1k lbs is probably overkill for your set up.

Also consider the Reese SC wdh. Very similar to the Equal-I-Zer 4 way system, and a little cheaper than the Straight Line system. The Reese hitch head (both models) does offer a little more fine tuning adjustment vs the Equal-I-Zer hitch head, and the ability to swap out the wd bars for different rated ones, but you can't go wrong with any of the 3 systems.

Good luck!
fireman41
Explorer
Jun 04, 2016
This is like asking what truck is the best.

Now I have only had 3 different hitches. A cheap round bar a pro serious and a Anderson no sway. Out of the 3 I like the Anderson the best, now it by no means perfect, but it is close.

The pros about the Anderson is that it is real easy to set up. Just set the ball height and attached the brackets and adjust the change the move the amount of weight you need moved.

The cons.
People have reported that with real heavy trailers they can't get them to move enough weight
Not compatible with some trailer hitches
Also you should carry and extra nylon spring bushing, cause if you break one the sway control and weight distributing part of the hitch can't be used.
It's not perfect but I like it. I towed my jayco 26bh with my F250 out of of the Outer Banks last year a day of two before the hurricane came ashore and it was Rock Solid.
PatRenee
Explorer
Jun 04, 2016
We have a 38" TT that weighs a little over 10,000.... I use Husky Centerline... It works great... I have had no sway issue in the 5 mionths I have owned mine.... I give it a thumbs up....