Equal-i-zer vs Andersen (WDH)

[Ceimo]

The Jayco dealer here in Orlando Installed the Equalizer on my 21’ Feather light trailer.
They outfitted my hitch with a 2 5/8” ball. I pull it with my Chevy LT Express van with a 5.7 V8. Very Smooth and easy set up.
Personally, I prefer the 2 metal bars over chains.

[Tdbrwn]

We've had our Andersen WDH since 2014. It worked on the 33-foot Wildcat Maxx we had then, and then we went to a 2017 Jayco 29.5BHDS 5th wheel then also bought a Winnebago Mini Winnie in 2018 and use the Andersen on it. Andersen worked fine with the 33-foot Wildcat and still works fine on the 20-foot Mini-Winnie. No clunks, no groans. The trailers track fine even in strong crosswinds.
As ours is an older model Andersen and the only problems we had until getting the hang of it was hooking up off an angle versus a straight back up. After you get the hang of it though, no big problems.
If we went back to travel trailer only it would be Andersen hands down.

[16WhiteColly]

Originally Posted by Riich

I'd be onboard with a lighter hitch like the Andersen if they transferred the weight as well as the bar type. But they don't. I see this with my own eyes with a friend's setup. But he likes it and that is what counts. I'll stick with my Equalizer brand.

I agree with you.

[BigRedGrandPa]

Bars verses Chains - Bars are more stable. I've used both and I like the bars better.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by BigRedGrandPa

Bars verses Chains - Bars are more stable. I've used both and I like the bars better.

Again, it sounds like you are talking about an old school hitch, that lifts vertically with chains. The Andersen isn't one of those.

[micahruns]

I was very impressed with how much knowledge and desire to help there was when asking my first question here! What a great group of people!

[LuckyDuck]

X2. So, after 66 posts, any idea which way you’ll go?

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by micahruns

Hi there, I need help deciding between the common Equalizer WDH with anti-sway bars or the newer Anderson WDH with chains. I found a review for each below. It seems the Andersen is a newer, more improved hitch but wanted to hear from someone with experience. I have a 2012 F-250 Diesel SRW 4WD for towing.

https://campaddict.com/equalizer-wei...-hitch-review/
https://campaddict.com/andersen-weig...-hitch-review/

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

-Micah

I know this is an older thread but in case you haven't decided yet. I like both company's products but having owned the EQ and having set up issues the support they gave me was above and beyond with plenty of follow up and solutions. A measure I often use to evaluate a product before purchase. There are times I have had a need to call Anderson and it was like I was speaking to guy in his basement who makes the product, although nice, would give vague answers. I also didn't want anything to do with those chains.

[slouwez]

Micah- I have used round bar/friction type systems before I went to the Andersen; liked the Andersen much better. It seemed to be more effective at controlling sway and much easier to use. My experience with Equalizer is that the people we travel with have had one for several years; I believe it is a good system and would be my second choice. The major drawback as I see it is weight; Andersen is much easier on the old body. Also, as I used mine I hooked up very quickly. I should mention that I now have a 5th wheel and am using the Andersen system and am very happy with it.

[Ceimo]

Micah, I use the Equalizer and enjoy the smooth ride.
I find it easy and a quick hookup.
Chains aren’t as stable when on rough terrain.
Also a bar isn’t going to break like a link might.
Check on the chain recommendations. I have read some models aren’t compatible with some trailer braking systems.

[deano]

So you where using the andersen chain hitch in rough terrain and switched to bar hitch equalizer because it was unstable?

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Ceimo

Micah, I use the Equalizer and enjoy the smooth ride.
I find it easy and a quick hookup.
Chains aren’t as stable when on rough terrain.
Also a bar isn’t going to break like a link might.
Check on the chain recommendations. I have read some models aren’t compatible with some trailer braking systems.

We went a few places that were off the beaten path with our 195RB and the Andersen and never found it to be an issue. It was always stable and performed well regardless of where we went. As for breaking a chain link - the Andersen is not a traditional style chain. You will burst the red urethane bushings long before you break a link. We carried a couple spare bushings just in case but never had one burst in 5 years/25K+ miles.

[Smabernethy]

Just my 2 cents...... I have a 2016 F150.... was thinking about Andersen so I called them.... they kept emphasizing how good the sway control and kept stearing the conversation away from weight distribution....

I think I am going with Blue Ox SwayPro instead

2020 Jayco Jayfeather 25rb 5000# empty, 7000# Gross

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by Smabernethy

Just my 2 cents...... I have a 2016 F150.... was thinking about Andersen so I called them.... they kept emphasizing how good the sway control and kept stearing the conversation away from weight distribution....

I think I am going with Blue Ox SwayPro instead

2020 Jayco Jayfeather 25rb 5000# empty, 7000# Gross

With your F150, go with the Equal-i-zer 4pt system. I've read mixed reviews on the Blue Ox on the Ford forums. Just throwing it out there.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Smabernethy

Just my 2 cents...... I have a 2016 F150.... was thinking about Andersen so I called them.... they kept emphasizing how good the sway control and kept stearing the conversation away from weight distribution....

I think I am going with Blue Ox SwayPro instead

2020 Jayco Jayfeather 25rb 5000# empty, 7000# Gross

Blue Ox SwayPro is a good choice from my perspective. I'm running with 1500lb bars on my ORV which normally runs upwards of 8500 loaded with ~1150-1200 on the tongue and it does a great job as does the F-250. We have about 13K on this combo now and have been in some pretty windy conditions and it's always been very stable.

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I am a mechanical engineer. I have not really every closely studied the Anderson WDH, but I have looked at a number of times over the years. I can tell you I have lots of concerns about its design.

Your video is the first generation of the hitch, and they have made several generational changes since this early video.

Now you simply raise and lower the hitch to mount and dismount - my wife does it alone with no issues. I can do the job in about 2 minutes. With the current material, I can slip in the pin to rotate the ball assembly.

I have not reset my chains once in the past six months because everything has its spot. If we change what we carry, then an adjustment will need to be made the same with any WDH.

[Riich]

Originally Posted by Smabernethy

was thinking about Andersen so I called them.... they kept emphasizing how good the sway control and kept steering the conversation away from weight distribution.

There is a simple explanation for that which I suspect you have figured out. They are not a true weight distributing hitch. If you have a low tongue weight they can be a logical choice since you mainly need sway control at that point. But get a tongue weight up around 1000# or more and they fail miserably. I've seen it with my own eyes.

Now if someone wants to lay out some actual cat scale weights to prove me wrong, I'm all eyes.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by Riich

There is a simple explanation for that which I suspect you have figured out. They are not a true weight distributing hitch. If you have a low tongue weight they can be a logical choice since you mainly need sway control at that point. But get a tongue weight up around 1000# or more and they fail miserably. I've seen it with my own eyes.



Now if someone wants to lay out some actual cat scale weights to prove me wrong, I'm all eyes.

That is just a rediculous statement. The Andersen is certainly a WDH.

BTW, do you have "actual" weight slips to back up what you say, you have seen?

I'll be the first to say, I wouldn't recommend an Andersen to someone, near the edge of tow vehicle capabilities. It won't make up for poor choices or life's restrictions. But, not everyone is trying to move a large amount of weight. Actual owners of Andersen hitches, don't often complain about an inability to move enough weight. At least, not on a properly matched tow vehicle trailer combination.

Now, if you want to move a 1,300 lb tongue weight toy hauler back to the front axle of a half ton pickup; well maybe a 350/3500 would have been a better choice, in the first place....

[rewen]

I really don't understand why some of you are saying that the Andersen can't distribute weight just because the chains don't lift something upwards.

The chains on the Andersen pull the bottom of the hitch ball assembly towards the trailer. The top of the assembly (the ball) is locked into the trailer coupler and can't move. This means that by tightening the chains, the assembly has no choice but to angle downward towards the tow vehicle, which is how weight becomes distributed to the front axel of the tow vehicle.

This is essentially the same way that other hitches work, but with parts in a different order. Think of a hitch with chains and spring bars. The chains go downwards from the A-frame and attach to spring bars that stick out of the hitch assembly. On the Andersen, it's just reversed, and the "bars" are rigid. A polyurethane spring is used instead.

Anyway I have the Andersen and I think it's wonderful. It's silent and there's no hassle to hooking or unhooking it. I raise the jack just enough that the chains have some play in them, and unpin the plate from the bottom of the ball. That's it. There's no adjusting the chains or anything like that unless you want to increase or decrease the amount of weight distribution. There's no limit to turning angle or worrying about it when reversing. For me, it was set-and-forget.

Edit: Andersen has a video explaining it themselves, from back in 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_dATB6ePWk

[mass-hole]

My Equalizer has been good so far and I have taken it through some insane winds in Wyoming and its very stable. 70mph is no problem and I have never felt the trailer get wonky. I have seen it dog-walking in my side mirrors but it never causes the truck to move.

But my truck is quite beefy compared to my trailer. My trucks curb weight is 6200 lbs while the trailers GVWR is 5500 so I am sure that helps keep the trailer from knocking the truck around to much.

I have never looked to closely at the Andersen simply because I found my Equalizer used on the local Craigslist for like $200. Its a solid chunk of steel, so there is not really anything to go wrong, and that is one plus for me with regards to the Equalizer. I might not be so willing to pick up a used Andersen with the bushings and plastic inserts and what not.