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Hitch recommendation

lighthousemantn
Explorer
Explorer
We are ready to purchase our new travel trailer and would like input on the best load distributing, anti sway hitch. The trailer will be about 9,500 pounds loaded and about 35 feet long. We will be pulling with a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel with 6 speed transmission. I have considered the E-Z pull, Hensley, etc.
Thanks very much.
15 REPLIES 15

rdrector
Explorer
Explorer
Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
As has already been apparent in these posts - you will generally hear two answers:

1) Long trailers need ProPride or Hensley and they are great hitches.

or

2) Equalizer and Reese hitches serve 35' trailers very well (this will sometimes also include the 'if you need a Hensley or ProPride you are just masking a bad set-up or insufficient TV).

In the end, I think it's hard to argue that the BEST performance for a hitch would be in the ProPride or Hensley. At 6x the price, however, many (including myself) find that the EQ or Reese work just fine.


x2
2013 Jayco Eagle 324 BTS
2010 KZ Spree 318BHS
2006 KZ Frontier 2405
2007 Dodge Quad 4x4 CTD 4.10

Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Explorer
As has already been apparent in these posts - you will generally hear two answers:

1) Long trailers need ProPride or Hensley and they are great hitches.

or

2) Equalizer and Reese hitches serve 35' trailers very well (this will sometimes also include the 'if you need a Hensley or ProPride you are just masking a bad set-up or insufficient TV).

In the end, I think it's hard to argue that the BEST performance for a hitch would be in the ProPride or Hensley. At 6x the price, however, many (including myself) find that the EQ or Reese work just fine.

AH64ID
Explorer
Explorer
I tow a 29' TT that weighs about 8500 with the Equal-i-zer 1,200/12,000 hitch. It tows perfectly at all times. My tongue weight is around 1,250lbs.

I would find out what the tongue weight is and then decide on a 12K or 14K model.

Honestly it tows so well that I couldn't ever consider a different hitch, there just isn't much, if any, room for improvement. I don't ever fell the trailer, even in 30mph cross winds at 65-70 mph.

I often wonder about people that talk about night and day differences with the Hensley. It makes me think they either had a very bad setup, or it wasn't setup correctly. That could me more than just the hitch, to include TV tires and suspension.
-John

2018 Ram 3500-SRW-4x4-Laramie-CCLB-Aisin-Auto Level-5th Wheel Prep-Titan 55 gal tank-B&W RVK3600

2011 Outdoors RV Wind River 275SBS-some minor mods

Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Explorer II
Our rig is a couple feet shorter and weighs a bit more when fully loaded and we have not had any issues with sway using our Reese WD/SC hitch. The higher end Hensley and Propride hitches are wonderful units, but with our stout heavy duty truck we find our Reese provides a very comfortable towing experience. Enjoy your new 35' TT!!!

txtaco
Explorer
Explorer
They way I look at it .... expensive truck - expensive trailer. Why skimp on the one thing that keeps them together going down the road. It only took me a few white knuckle tows till I bought my propride, the difference kept me from selling my trailer.

2004 GMC 2500HD CC 6.0/4.10 4x4
2008 Jayco G2 32BHDS
Pro-Pride Hitch

mbutts
Explorer
Explorer
It took me several years to talk myself into the Pro Pride hitch. It's less expensive than the Hensley and I preferred the way it hitched up compared to the Hensley.

Outstanding customer support (Sean even took my truck & trailer out for a test drive when I stopped by his shop) and effortless towing. It's a bazillion times better than the Reese hitch I had.

It's up to you if that bazillion times better is worth the extra dough.
Mike Butts
DW+DD+DS+Poodles
2017 Forest River Forester 3011DS (first MH!)
Previously 1999 Coleman Santa Fe pop-up, 2007 Kodiak 23SS hybrid, 2013 Sunset Trail 29SS travel trailer

camp-n-family
Explorer
Explorer
You asked for "best". Sounds to me like that puts ProPride and Hensley as the answer.


X2. Can't go wrong with either of them. You'll never want another hitch. If the price scares you they do sell refurb ones from the factory for less or you can find used ones.
'17 Ram 2500 Crewcab Laramie CTD
'13 Keystone Bullet Premier 310BHPR
Hitched by Hensley

fla-gypsy
Explorer
Explorer
The Reese Straight line (Dual cam), 4pt- Equalizer, and Blue Ox sway pro are similarly and moderately priced ($400-600) WD/sway control hitches that will all do an outstanding job unless you have a few thousand to spend on the first ones mentioned.
This member is not responsible for opinions that are inaccurate due to faulty information provided by the original poster. Use them at your own discretion.

09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)

rdrector
Explorer
Explorer
I have 9000lb Eagle with 950lb tongue weight on a 2500 07 cummins; length is 37ft. I use the Equalizer 4-point 10k hitch. I have had zero problems towing through the mountains of Vermont and New Hamshire. IMO I wouldn't need anything more then what I have.

I've used the Equalizer on 3 trailers now over the last 9 years and fortunately never had a sway issue or other problem with this hitch. It is likely the combination of the truck and it's weight may have also helped in this setup.
2013 Jayco Eagle 324 BTS
2010 KZ Spree 318BHS
2006 KZ Frontier 2405
2007 Dodge Quad 4x4 CTD 4.10

MNRon
Explorer
Explorer
Our Eagle is 9000lb, and 33' hitch to bumper. We've been very happy with our Equilizer hitch pulling with both a 2500 YukonXL and the 3500 Silverado. If you get an Equilizer, I recommend the plastic pads on th L brackets to reduce noise when turning slowly.
Ron & Pat
2022 F350 Lariat CCSB SRW Diesel
2019 VanLeigh Vilano 320 GK

gmw_photos
Explorer
Explorer
You asked for "best". Sounds to me like that puts ProPride and Hensley as the answer.

APT
Explorer
Explorer
Equal-i-zer 4-pt or Reese Straight line at about $500. 1200 pound bars, maybe 1400 pound.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

Lantley
Nomad
Nomad
If you want the ultimate in sway control get a Hensley or Propride. Nothing else compares in terms of stability. They are both very expensive compared to other hitches.
My last RV was a 36' 11k GVW trailer loaded It weight 9500-10K. I was not satisfied with the towing performance until I bit the bullet an purchased a Hensley.
19'Duramax w/hips, 2022 Alliance Paradigm 390MP >BD3,r,22" Blackstone
r,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego
BakFlip,RVLock,Prog.50A surge ,Hughes autoformer
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan, Sailun S637

carpetguy2
Explorer
Explorer
Had a tt simiar to yours.Used the equalizer 12k did great.Found it on Craig's list for 75.00
2007.5 chevy 3500 ltz CC LB Duramax
2016 Open range 3x378
Some other toys too