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Choosing the right equalizer/sway hitch

LIV4MOR
Explorer
Explorer
Hello again All! We have finally determined we will get a Lance 1995 3700lbs dry wt,
GVWR 5700lbs. We'll pull it with an F150 ecoboost and would really appreciate some
Advice on the best equalizer/anti-sway hitch. Since we are coming from a small
Motorhome and toad, we aren't familiar with this, and many choices.
We really appreciate some real world advice, rather than dealers who just want
To get you out the door. Thanks!
21 REPLIES 21

Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Explorer
TomG2 wrote:
---What Ron is quoting is for the 1500 series towing over 7,000 pounds. 50% is the required FALR for those models. Per GM
The current Silverado Owners Manual is a bit ambiguous in this regard.

In one place the manual says, for a 1500-series truck, a WDH must be used if the tongue weight exceeds 800#.
This implies that a trailer with a TW% of 15%, and a weight greater than 5333#, must use a WDH.
It also implies that a trailer with a TW% of 10%, and a weight less than 8000#, does not need a WDH.

In another place the manual says, for a 1500-series truck, a WDH must be used if the trailer weight exceeds 7000#, a WDH is required and the "weight distribution" (assumed to mean FALR) should be 50%.
This implies that a trailer with a TW% of 15%, and a tongue weight less than 1050#, does not need a WDH.
It also implies that a trailer with a TW% of 10%, and a tongue weight greater than 700#, must use a WDH.

Perhaps what the recent Silverado Owners Manuals are saying to 1500-series owners is:
if your tongue weight exceeds 800#
OR
if your trailer weight exceeds 7000#,
then you must use a WDH.
And, whether required to or not, if you do use a WDH, it should be adjusted to eliminate approximately 50% of the front-end rise (50% FALR).

For Silverado 1500s prior to the 2013 MY, the WDH-adjustment specification call for returning the front end to the unhitched height (100% FALR).

Ron

bmj11
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Lance and use the Equalizer 4 point. And yes , you will need the special bracket for the Bal/Norco frame

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
GM 2500 and 3500 models for the last four years do not require a weight distributing hitch for tongue weights of 1,000 pounds. None required according to the people that design and build these trucks. O% FALR is required. That is not to say that some is not a good thing, just not required per the owner's manuals. What Ron is quoting is for the 1500 series towing over 7,000 pounds. 50% is the required FALR for those models. Per GM

Ron_Gratz
Explorer
Explorer
TerryandKim wrote:
I was looking at the Anderson No Sway online last night- wondering why you would not recommend it for a heavier TT?? I was considering it for my combo.
Your 28BHS G2 might have a loaded tongue weight of 1000#. Perhaps you know the actual value?

Whether the Andersen will work for your TT depends on what your load transfer objective is.
Prior to circa 2011, Chevrolet/GMC specified that the WDH should be adjusted to return the front end to its unhitched height. This implies a Front Axle Load Restoration of 100%.
Now, Chevrolet/GMC specifies that, for some vehicles and tongue weights, a FALR of 50% is sufficient.

Andersen WDH user reports indicate it is unlikely that you could achieve 100% FALR if using the Andersen hitch with a 1000# tongue weight.
The average FALR for 1000# TW was about 60%.

OTOH, it appears likely you could achieve 50% FALR with the Andersen WDH and 1000# TW.

Ron

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
TerryandKim wrote:
TomG2 wrote:
Since you have a more than adequate tow vehicle, you might want to look into the advantages of the Andersen No Sway hitch. If your trailer weighed twice that, I would not give that suggestion. Quiet, clean, lightweight, are just some of its advantages.

I was looking at the Anderson No Sway online last night- wondering why you would not recommend it for a heavier TT?? I was considering it for my combo.


This has been covered several times and on various forums. Don't own an Anderson but the only negative I've read from Anderson users is not being able to transfer enough weight to the front axle with trailers with heavy tongue weight. They seem to work fine for smaller trailers. I looked long and hard at the Anderson before I bought my Equalizer and determined I have too much tongue weight for the Anderson. Great design for smaller trailers.

For your size trailer, I think the Anderson would work fine.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

rbpru
Explorer II
Explorer II
I convinced the Salesman to throw in the hitch with the purchase of the trailer. They supplied a Blue Ox and I am happy with it.

It is a 26 ft. Dutchmen about 5000 lbs. empty.
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.

Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
Not to start another Andersen thread, but the hitch is limited by its very design in the amount of weight it can transfer or restore to the front axle. Let's say one trailer removes 800 pounds from the tow vehicle's front axle while a lighter trailer only removes 400 pounds. The Andersen will perform very well with the lighter trailer. Possibly not so well with the heavier. Like I said, there are those who have never towed with the Andersen hitch who love to attack it. I am not playing their games. It works.

TerryandKim
Explorer
Explorer
TomG2 wrote:
Since you have a more than adequate tow vehicle, you might want to look into the advantages of the Andersen No Sway hitch. If your trailer weighed twice that, I would not give that suggestion. Quiet, clean, lightweight, are just some of its advantages.

I was looking at the Anderson No Sway online last night- wondering why you would not recommend it for a heavier TT?? I was considering it for my combo.
1999 GMC Sierra 1500 ExtCab SLE 5.3l 3.73 - Curt WD, airbags
2010 Jayco JayFlight 26BHS G2
1 Wonderful Wife!, 2 Great Boys!, 1 Goofy Basset Hound (Floyd),Oh, and me.

happybooker1
Explorer
Explorer
fireman41 wrote:
X2 on the anderson.


LOVE my Andersen hitch. Quiet, easy to install, lightweight, no bars to lift up into position, easily adjusted, easy to attach/detach. And the company is SUPER to work with if you need anything!

And I had an Equil-I-Zer hitch on my other trailer.
2008 Tacoma Extended Cab
2009 Keystone Hideout 19FLB
Andersen "No Sway" "No Bounce" WDH

ryanb-72
Explorer
Explorer
The equalizer has worked well for us. I would however recommend spending the extra money on the sway bracket jackets. I purchased those along with the correct brackets for our bal frame before our last 3500 mile trip and man what a difference. Virtually eliminated all squeaking from the hitch and performed just as well.
2012 Jayco X17Z
2013 Ford F-150 ecoboost 4x4
Kipor KGE 3000TI

fireman41
Explorer
Explorer
X2 on the anderson.

dadmomh
Explorer
Explorer
We had the Equalizer on our ROO 23SS and it performed perfectly, not a problem at all. When we moved to our Rockwood 2604, they recommended the Blue Ox 1000 or would install another Eq, whichever we wanted. DH took a look online on the Blue OX website and liked what he saw, so we went with that and he's so glad. Quieter, which the Eq is not, easier to hook up, and in a real pinch I could probably do it. I could not lift the bars on the Eq, but the ones on the Blue Ox are manageable. Suggest you at least take a look at their 2 videos. You may love it, as he does, or may not. But at least you've looked.
Trailerless but still have the spirit

2013 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 - new family
2007 Rockwood ROO HTT - new family
2003 Ford F-150
4 doggies - We support Adopt/Rescue.
Sam, you were the best!
Cubbie, Foxy, Biscuit and Lily - all rescues!

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
Just my opinion, but get the original Equalizer with 4 point sway control, not the cheaper E2. Can be found online for around $480 with free shipping. Equalizer has a calculator on their website to help with bar selection. I would recommend you download the instructions from the site to make sure there is no problem with your frame type, which very rarely there is. Happy Equalizer user here.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

Hondavalk
Explorer II
Explorer II
:B O come-on, no one wants to start the Equal-i-zer & Reese Dual-Cam debate. :B