Which WDH is best for me?

[Collinp]

We are upgrading to a White Hawk 32KBS ~8000 lbs 800 lb tongue weight from a 27RBOK ~6000 lb 600 lb tongue weight and I want to get a new hitch with the new camper.

I currently have the old reliable Eaz lift curved bar with chains. I could buy new load bars for it but I really want away from the greasy bars, separate sway control and maybe even the chains.

Budget is ~$700

Looking for recommendations.

The only one I've tentatively ruled out so far is the Anderson because I've read that it doesn't do well with tongue weights over 500 lbs...but I will listen if someone thinks it will work.

[jimp]

First & only WDH I've used is a Equalizer, and like it alot but I have nothing else to compare it to either. See my sig for my set up, just towed it 450 miles today, first time on the interstate for more than 5 miles. I have towed it on 4-5 lane divided hwy several times but no real test with the big 18 wheel guys until today. Handles just fine, I get some of the suck and pull/push but nothing to cause me to panic. I just had to make a small adjustment in the steering input and all was good. Some big rigs did not even push me, some F250's just blowing by at 70+mph would cause a bit of push but did not require any corrective steering input by me.

Wife's sister & husband were following us in a Class A, and he complained about the big rigs pushing his Class A with a toad all over the road. Wife's sister video taped our rig while following, and no sway, but no big rigs passed up during the video either. Stayed between 58-63 mph on the interstate.

[oldmanAZ]

Like jimp I've owned only 1 Equalizer brand, 4-point hitch. I bought mine in 2006 and still love it.

There are a number of Equalizer hitch owners on this forum. I believe all of us are VERY pleased with it.

[videoarizona]

I'm running a Fastway E2 WDH rated at 8K pounds, 800lbs tongue. My TT is rated at 6500lbs. They do have a 10K rated unit as well. Within your budget. They are one step below the Equalizer system mentioned above. They are 2 point systems VS the 4 pt of the Equalizer. I have the trunnion bar system which I prefer over the round bar. I picked up my trailer in Knoxville and drove it home to Tucson area last August and had no issues whatsoever with wind, trailer sway or large trucks trying to blow me off the road. Sure the trailer would move over a tad when the trucks went by, but I never, ever, felt out of control. Recommend you look into to this system or the Equalizers. The video link is how to install....simple and applicable in concept to most WD hitches....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_kbKyXRZTM

Hope this helps...

[Midnightmoon]

A couple of minor things. Before you decide on a new hitch, get that trailer on a CAT scale and determine your actual tongue weight. I have a feeling that the new White Hawk will come in higher than 800# tongue weight if its actual weight is in the 8000# range. My trailer scales at 5500# with 800# tongue weight. I suspect that yours will be more. May as well confirm it so that you can properly size your new hitch for the job.

Secondly, I'm running an Anderson at 800# tongue weight. Not trying to sell you on the hitch. Only you can determine if something is for you. However, the 500# as an upper limit that you read about in some of these posts is not necessarily accurate.

[Atlee]

I have used an Andersen WDH, an Equal-I-Zer 4pt sway control WDH, and currently a Blue Ox Sway Pro WDH.

By far I prefer the Equal-i-zer hitch. Once it's set up correctly, it's the easiest to hitch and unhitch.

[NHstuckinGA]

Had the EZ Lift 10000/1000 w/2-pt anti-sway add-on and had nothing but problems. In a nutshell, the bars kept falling off. Very disconcerting to have someone run up to you at a stop light saying you are dragging a bar. DO NOT USE!
Upgraded to the EQUAL-I-ZER 12000/1200 and we love it. Easy to hookup and unhook. We have a WH 33RSKS with a tongue weight of 904 per specs. Please follow Midnightmoon's suggestion above. Specs on our TT say 8000 lbs with 904 tongue weight and the CAT Scales say 7800-8200 (love the axle breakout report) with 975 lbs tongue weight. Light loaded as we do not overload for safety.
Secondly, the 4-pt anti-sway really works. Cant say enough about big rigs flying by on both sides on the interstates at 75-80 and a minimum movement on us.
Love the comment on 58-63 mph. I try to stay 65 or under. Just tows so well at those speeds.

[jimp]

Couldn't edit my post but my rig loaded for the road (no water in the tanks, fridge is loaded except for meats, etc.) my TW is 800# using a Sherline scale, gross on TT is 7400, empty is in the 6000 neighborhood (yellow sticker, don't really believe it but...). We travel/load pretty light IMO compared to other campsites I've seen, and there is only the 2 of us. I have 2 30# tanks and a group 24 battery.

I'm kinda thinking the RL model with the theater seating on the rear is reducing my TW to some extent. The fridge is over the axles, slide is over the axles as well.

[wanderlust]

Equal-i-zer... I feel comfortable and safe towing my Jay Feather

[videoarizona]

I'm thinking so.....

My E2 setup is similar to the Equalizer and design as well. I think the difference is 2 pt sway and 4 pt sway. Plus the price...of course.

Lookie here...

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

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Collinp

We are upgrading to a White Hawk 32KBS ~8000 lbs 800 lb tongue weight.......snip

The 32KBS has a published UVW of 7,545lbs and a GVWR of 8,975lbs...., but the average "as-shipped" UVW is 8,100lbs (yellow sticker).

Hypothetical loaded 32KBS: (8,100lbs UVW) + (50lbs dealer battery, etc.) + (500lbs cargo, no-fluids) = 8,650lbs.. Recommended loaded tongue weight range @ 8,650lbs = 1,125lbs to 1,298lbs (13% to 15%).

I would recommend a WDH rated at 1,400lbs. A WDH rated at 1,200lbs would work, but may require watching TT loading (weight) habits...., especially if filling fresh water tank.

Just food for thought.

Bob

[Collinp]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

The 32KBS has a published UVW of 7,545lbs and a GVWR of 8,975lbs...., but the average "as-shipped" UVW is 8,100lbs (yellow sticker).

Hypothetical loaded 32KBS: (8,100lbs UVW) + (50lbs dealer battery, etc.) + (500lbs cargo, no-fluids) = 8,650lbs.. Recommended loaded tongue weight range @ 8,650lbs = 1,125lbs to 1,298lbs (13% to 15%).

I would recommend a WDH rated at 1,400lbs. A WDH rated at 1,200lbs would work, but may require watching TT loading (weight) habits...., especially if filling fresh water tank.

Just food for thought.

Bob

I just weighed my current rig and found I have more tongue weight than I expected and was over the limit of my load bars so this makes total sense. The yellow sticker weight is just over 8000 lbs. Thanks for the input because I was thinking a 1000lb hitch would do it.

[Collinp]

What about the Reese steadi flex hitch? I am seriously thinking this might be the one. I like that it uses friction material instead of just steel on steel friction, it doesn't appear to need any grease and it doesn't need the washers for angle adjustment. Thoughts?

[mia389]

I would plan on a hitch weight closer to 1000lbs then the 800lb.

As others said Equalizer is a great hitch. I have used both equalizer and blue Ox. They both are great WD hitches. I use a Blue Ox on my setup. Its a bit easier and quieter than the Equalizer. Also the Blue OX is super easy to setup. The thing just works with very little imput.

I would stay away from the E2 hitch when getting above 600lb tongue weight.

I have no experience with Reese WDH, but they make great 5th wheel hitches. I am sure they have good WDH as well. I also would not use the Andersen hitch on high tongue weights.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Collinp

What about the Reese steadi flex hitch?........snip...... Thoughts?

Just my personal opinion...., but in the Reese WDH "integrated" sway control product line I would place the Strait-Line WDH as Reese's most robust, effective and proven integrated sway control product, especially with the heavier loaded TT tongue weights. I find the "pro-active" functionality of the Strait-Line an added plus.

Comparing the Reese Steadi-Flex WDH (integrated sway control) with the Equal-i-zer brand (integrated sway control), the Equal-i-zer brand WDH would be
my personal choice.

At the end of the day with any WDH brand/model, proper sizing and adjustment is the only way to optimize the selected WDH model's design functionality......, and a CAT scale visit is the only way to dial-in a WDH.

CAT Scale how-to: https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...v-tt-3871.html

Bob

[Tico]

I also have the Equilizer and I’m really happy with it, I pull a 30RSL White Hawk with my Tundra and it feels really stable, even when big rigs pass me or going over some bridge humps, andnyou can back it up withou worrying about your sway bar since thisnsistem doesn’t need it

[Joy]

I like my Blue Ox Sway Pro. Just be sure what type tongue hitch you have on the trailer....standard or underslung? It took me many months of frustration before anyone figured it out.

[mrSethTaylor]

Since we are throwing out various configurations and I'm picking up my new 244bhsw tomorrow morning.....

Dry weight is 5400 gvwr with 695 tongue and a max weight of 7500 which I estimate an almost 1125 possible tongue weight (7500 @ 15%). I was originally going to use an equalizer 1000/10000 but went with the 1200/12000 because of the possible tongue weight. Will having gone a little heavy cause trouble with the sway control or anything else?

[videoarizona]

Originally Posted by mrSethTaylor

Since we are throwing out various configurations and I'm picking up my new 244bhsw tomorrow morning.....

Dry weight is 5400 gvwr with 695 tongue and a max weight of 7500 which I estimate an almost 1125 possible tongue weight (7500 @ 15%). I was originally going to use an equalizer 1000/10000 but went with the 1200/12000 because of the possible tongue weight. Will having gone a little heavy cause trouble with the sway control or anything else?

No. As long as it's adjusted properly you will be fine.
Any further adjustments will be needed if you change tow vehicles or add something to trailer like a gennie on top of the hitch area.

[Hokiewolfpacker]

I have a Blue Ox that came on mine from a previous owner. Are the chains supposed to be so hard to put on and take off? Feel like they are going to whip me when unhooking! It might need to be reinstalled to match my truck?