Best weight distributing hitch

[Grandpawlee]

We just bought a new Eagle TT with a 11750 GVWR. There are at least a dozen hitch makers that have the “best” one! I want one that is quiet, easy to use, not too heavy and effective in weight distribution and anti sway.
What works for youall?

[oldmanAZ]

Your post, like any of them wanting 'the best' product, will get lots of responses.

I have an Equalizer Brand hitch and it has done a wonderful job for me for the past 12 years. I recommend them without hesitation because it works great for both weight distribution and anti-sway.

It's easy to use with no chains or levers needed when hitching or unhitching, but the hitch head is quite heavy if/when it needs to be removed.

The hitch is quiet going down the road, but sharp turns when maneuvering slowly the hitch is often noisy. IMO, that occasional noise is a small price to pay for a hitch this great.

[GrumpyDad]

Propride and hensley are very well regarded, but very expensive.
Andersen is quiet and easy to use although some have complained about it not shifting sufficient weight back to the steering axle.

Myself, I use a cheapie Curt WDH, and it's been very good.

My personal opinion is that all the brands are fine.

[jpgale]

I have the reese steadi flex which is an equalizer style hitch (I believe I am still new to this as well), Mine is the 14k version which I suggest is the minimum for you. It has worked well for me so far but I have not towed much with it yet. It is marketed as the quietest as the bars rest on friction material not metal and I have had several guys at the dealership say the same (I did not get it from them as they do not sell that one). I have no real comparison for you however as this is the only one I have owned. Given that, going down the road is quiet but I still hear noise when maneuvering slowly, it is better or worse than metal to metal hitches I can not say.

[Rustic Eagle]

Grandpawlee,

The fact that you have a TT with a 11,750lb GVWR implies the potential for a heavy loaded tongue weight......, which may narrow down the WDH manufacture selection.

Your 2019 338RETS would have an "as-shipped" UVW around 10,000lbs (yellow sticker). A modest gross loaded weight would be: (10,000lb UVW) + (800lbs cargo) + (75lbs dealer-battery, etc.) + (no fluids) = 10,875lbs Gross Loaded Weight

The recommended loaded tongue weight of 10,875lbs gross = 1,414lbs (13%) to 1,631lbs (15%). Most TT's in this gross weight/length class tend to be closer to 15%.

IMO a WDH rated at 1,700lbs minimum would be ideal......, especially as the TT is loaded closer to it's GVWR (with fluids, etc.). The Reese Strait-Line model #66075 (1,700lb rated) is a WDH with integrated sway control is a good consideration.

A 1,500lb rated WDH would work if conservative TT cargo loading is practiced.

Bob

[morleyz]

I've been more than happy pulling my 330RSTS with a Blue Ox with 2000lbs bars. It is able to return my steer axle to its stock weight and does a good job eliminating sway. I feel comfortable towing at any speed I would go and reasonable weather conditions. Admittedly I don't have anything to compare to because I've towed my last two trailers with a Blue Ox.

[Grandpawlee]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Grandpawlee,

The fact that you have a TT with a 11,750lb GVWR implies the potential for a heavy loaded tongue weight......, which may narrow down the WDH manufacture selection.

Your 2019 338RETS would have an "as-shipped" UVW around 10,000lbs (yellow sticker). A modest gross loaded weight would be: (10,000lb UVW) + (800lbs cargo) + (75lbs dealer-battery, etc.) + (no fluids) = 10,875lbs Gross Loaded Weight

The recommended loaded tongue weight of 10,875lbs gross = 1,414lbs (13%) to 1,631lbs (15%). Most TT's in this gross weight/length class tend to be closer to 15%.

IMO a WDH rated at 1,700lbs minimum would be ideal......, especially as the TT is loaded closer to it's GVWR (with fluids, etc.). The Reese Strait-Line model #66075 (1,700lb rated) is a WDH with integrated sway control is a good consideration.

A 1,500lb rated WDH would work if conservative TT cargo loading is practiced.

Bob

Thank you so much for the very informative reply. Can I buy you a Beer?
I will be doing some more research. Especially on tongue weight and my actual trailer weights.

[hbravo]

My Reese Dual Cam HP results in awesome towing. I’ve used it on two trailers with only a change in bars.

I hear ITV an be tricky to setup the first time but the guy I use has been using them for years so he knows what he is doing.

Good luck making your choice.

[blujay40]

I have a 21017 330RSTS with a Max GVW of 11,250 and a dry GVW of 10,100.

My tongue weight when fully loaded (2 batteries, full propane, no water in tanks, residential fridge and storage areas packed for seasonal stay) is 1650# give or take. With the floorplans of these larger Eagle TT's, the vast majority of the storage is in front of the axles which causes the tongue weights to soar quite quickly.

I also use the Blue Ox Sway Pro for underslung couplers, Model BXW2003 w/2000# spring bars and couldn't be happier. Easy install but more importantly, it can easily handle any tongue weight I can throw at it and does a great job of eliminating sway when adjusted properly.

[Grandpawlee]

Originally Posted by blujay40

I have a 21017 330RSTS with a Max GVW of 11,250 and a dry GVW of 10,100.

My tongue weight when fully loaded (2 batteries, full propane, no water in tanks, residential fridge and storage areas packed for seasonal stay) is 1650# give or take. With the floorplans of these larger Eagle TT's, the vast majority of the storage is in front of the axles which causes the tongue weights to soar quite quickly.

I also use the Blue Ox Sway Pro for underslung couplers, Model BXW2003 w/2000# spring bars and couldn't be happier. Easy install but more importantly, it can easily handle any tongue weight I can throw at it and does a great job of eliminating sway when adjusted properly.

Thank you sooo much. I see what you mean about most of the storage being in the front. My dry weight is 10166 from the factory. If I add 1500 lbs cargo I would be at 11666. I was hoping to adjust the tongue to 12.5% which would be 1458 lbs. I was hoping to buy a chevy 1500 that comes with a class IV hitch rated at 1400 lbs and use a swaypro 1500. Chevy GVWR with max tow pkg is 12500. Is that at all realistic?
What is your TV? Do I have to buy a 2500 after all?
Thnx again!

[BJR]

Originally Posted by Grandpawlee

Thank you sooo much. I see what you mean about most of the storage being in the front. My dry weight is 10166 from the factory. If I add 1500 lbs cargo I would be at 11666. I was hoping to adjust the tongue to 12.5% which would be 1458 lbs. I was hoping to buy a chevy 1500 that comes with a class IV hitch rated at 1400 lbs and use a swaypro 1500. Chevy GVWR with max tow pkg is 12500. Is that at all realistic?
What is your TV? Do I have to buy a 2500 after all?
Thnx again!

The tow capacity of the 1500 is 12,500 but the GVWR is probably 7,200. You're in 2500 territory here. The 1500 payload gets eaten up pretty quickly depending on your configuration. You're looking at about 1600 - 1800 lb available payload. The 2500 will get you about a thousand more pounds of payload. Trying to keep the tongue light to favor your tow vehicle may hamper tow performance (sway).

I estimated about 600lb of passengers, 100 lb kayak and 100lb hitch for my setup and we were probably slightly over the payload capacity of 18xx on our 1500. We had a crew cab with the short box.

[blujay40]

Originally Posted by Grandpawlee

Thank you sooo much. I see what you mean about most of the storage being in the front. My dry weight is 10166 from the factory. If I add 1500 lbs cargo I would be at 11666. I was hoping to adjust the tongue to 12.5% which would be 1458 lbs. I was hoping to buy a chevy 1500 that comes with a class IV hitch rated at 1400 lbs and use a swaypro 1500. Chevy GVWR with max tow pkg is 12500. Is that at all realistic?
What is your TV? Do I have to buy a 2500 after all?
Thnx again!

I am NOT a member of the "weight police", but I have to say that knowing what I know now, there is absolutely NO WAY I would EVER attempt to pull one of these 40' Eagles with a half ton ANYTHING! But that is my opinion and it's up to you what you do.

I pulled mine previously with a 2015 GMC Sierra CC SB 4WD 6.0L/4:10 rear gasser which came with a 1500/15000# receiver but swapped that out with a Curt/UHaul Class V receiver with a 2700/20,000# rating solely because I don't like to be that close or even slightly over a rating for anything. If your in mid Michigan, I have that one posted for sale here in the for sale section.

I now have a 2018 GMC Sierra CC LB 4WD 6.6L Duramax/3:73 rear and the OEM receiver on this truck is rated at 2000/20,000#. Night and day difference in towing. The gasser did ok but was constantly downshifting, even on some overpasses when we were fully loaded. The Duramax doesn't even flinch at hills now.

FYI - Seems it doesn't matter with GM trucks on whether you have a 2500HD or 3500HD, gas or diesel. The thing that determines the higher rated receiver, at least on the new trucks, is whether it is a short box which gets the 1500# rated one and long box getting the 2000# one. To make absolutely sure, look at the receiver itself to find the label/stamping so you know what it has.

[SouthCo]

Blue Ox SwayPro WDH is a great hitch.

[jpgale]

I actually saw a newer eagle travel trailer being towed by an f150 going south on 101 this weekend, I think it was not a HT eagle either, it was difficult to see any of the important details as I was passing him at a much higher rate of speed than he was going. What was interesting was how low his rear end was and his nose was pointing into the sky. My truck and trailer which is much lighter than yours are level or near to it, I have an f250. I am not WP either but I would not consider anything less that 250/2500 for that trailer.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Grandpawlee

snip.... Do I have to buy a 2500 after all?
Thnx again!

Yes......., because a TT's loaded tongue weight gets subtracted from a TV's "available" payload capacity (after passenger weight and TV cargo weight is accounted for). In most cases a TV's specified "payload capacity" limit will be reached (or exceeded) before the same TV's specified "towing capacity" limit.

Also, the robust suspension of a 3/4 ton truck will be better suited for towing a 11,666lb TT.

Bob

[blujay40]

Originally Posted by jpgale

I actually saw a newer eagle travel trailer being towed by an f150 going south on 101 this weekend, I think it was not a HT eagle either, it was difficult to see any of the important details as I was passing him at a much higher rate of speed than he was going. What was interesting was how low his rear end was and his nose was pointing into the sky. My truck and trailer which is much lighter than yours are level or near to it, I have an f250. I am not WP either but I would not consider anything less that 250/2500 for that trailer.

Even the HT Eagle TT's are a bit much for a standard "half ton" if they are loaded up because although the dry weight is less, the max GVW ratings on those are only about 350# less than my full size Eagle 330RSTS.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't give and exception
shout out" to the half ton "eco boost" crowd because we all know by now that they can tow ANYTHING! j/k guys!! lol

[GrumpyDad]

Can tow anything, but run out of payload just like all half tons.

[Chet & Marie]

I have a Curt Long Trunnion Bar WDH and have used it for 2 years and around 10,000 towing miles. I added the sway bars and am very happy with it. I used to grease the ball but ruined to many shirts and jeans rubbing against it. Now I just spray it with WD40 when I hook up and works fine with out tearing up the ball. I pull a Jay Feather 24 RLSW with a 2wd Silverado.

[TheTrailerER]

We have Reese strait-line trunnion bar on ours. I Purchased this one because I bought a heavier trailer and needed a heavier hitch. This hitch is easy to use once set up and works very well at keeping the trailer in line with the truck. No sway. Follow the instructions when setting it up and you will not have any problems. It says made in chinaby the way in case you were wondering

[bdreinv]

My buddy had the 1/2 ton F150 dual turbo charged 6 I think, air bags.Towed a 9000 lb fiver for 40000 miles.Sold it bought 350 diesel, 1/2 ton not enough truck especially in the mountains! Thanks