Does Draw-Tite = Reese?

[Sparkygus]

I'm in the market for a Reese Wt. Dist./anti-sway hitch, and have been searching info. on the forum for most of the afternoon. I called a local hitch dealer whose yellow pages ad advertised Reese. I told him I want a Reese hitch, and he said, "I have Draw-Tite, which is the same as Reese." He claims that Draw Tite hitches are the exact same hitches as Reese made from the same materials in the same place, just with a different sticker. Does anyone know if this is true?

[CanoeStream]

No, they aren't the same. Looking at the Draw-tite website I do see that they do mention a dual cam version. That's got to be what the dealer is talking about if he is equating them. New dollars should not go for the friction type sway controls.

I'm sure Draw-Tite is trying to find a place in the market to equal that of Reese or Equal-I-Zer. Blue Ox might be striving for a similar recognition. Beyond these four there are some Brand X models that dealers try to slap on and I'm sure have pretty good profit margins. I specified Reese Dual Cam HP and the price was virtually the same that the dealer quoted for his Brand X. Reese has a good setup and it's tried and true. Wear does take place and I know I'll always be able to find parts in my travels.

The HP installation requires drilling a couple holes near wiring that runs inside your A-frame. Find a dealer who is used to working with Reese if you go that way.

[azflycaster]

Take a look at these two web sites.
DrawTite-Hitches.com > Weight Distribution
Reese-Hitches.com > Weight Distribution Systems
The products look the same and the wording is the same.
Heck, the companies even have the same address

916 113th Street, Suite B
Arlington, Texas 76011

916 113th Street, Suite B
Arlington, Texas 76011

I just learned something new......

[CanoeStream]

Thanks Richard -- can I next put you on the track of how other manufacturers were supposed to build Hensley knockoffs when it came out from under patent protection? Isn't that supposed to be about now??

Good job as always!

[Sparkygus]

So, maybe the local dealer is telling the truth about the Draw-Tite being exactly the same as the Reese. His explanation was that some dealers are authorized only for Draw-Tite, and others only for Reese.

Another question: If we buy the dual cam sway control that attaches with the U-bolts (no drilling into the frame), will it all fit given the propane bottle location on our 2007 25' Intl CCD Front Bed?


Thanks!

[Sparkygus]

I was just on the phone with John at Reese Tech Support (888.521.0510), and John said that Reese and Draw-Tite were often identical, but not always. He said it really depended on the specific model. But he did help me a little more. It looks like the best bet for us is the basic Reese Dual Cam Sway Control (part #26000) that U-bolts to the frame and the 600 lbs trunnion bar WD hitch (part #66020).

From all of the reading I've done over the past few days, I decided on the 600 lb WD bars because the suspension is so stiff on our Dodge 3/4 ton. I also looked at the Air Safe hitch because of concern over the stiff suspension and transferring too much stress to the trailer frame, but the cost and confusion over how the WD & Anti-sway would hook up made me put that one on the back burner for now.

Thanks to all who have taken time to reply to the many threads on hitches, etc.

[L&C Woogie]

A friend sent me these pictures of alternate uses for Reese Hitches.
Couldn't resist. .

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by Sparkygus

Another question: If we buy the dual cam sway control that attaches with the U-bolts (no drilling into the frame), will it all fit given the propane bottle location on our 2007 25' Intl CCD Front Bed?

I just pulled my 2006 Safari home in preparation for this weekend's midwest rally. The pan under the LP tanks is solid sheet metal and would not allow passage of U-bolts without modification. The tank support would interfere with any placement of support for the cam swingarms. The HP mount is clean and neat. It's fully possible for RV techs to exercise care and not get into your wire bundle inside the A-frame.

[CanoeStream]

Duh -- it's in the driveway all hitched up!

[Tarheel]

I used the Reese on my 34' using a 2500 dodge 4x4 cummins, I used 1000 lb bars and found that it was too tight and cause stress in the skin but not in the frame. If I had it to do over I would use a lighter bar with the 2500 dodge pickup. My tongue weight was 750 lbs and that is the bars I think I should have used.

[dwightdi]

Reese bought Drawtite some years ago. The new Reese High performance twin cam is most likely an overkill for your size unit. I would stick with the standard duty one but I think you could use up to the 750 lb bar size without damaging the trailer.

[jimmickle]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

I just pulled my 2006 Safari home in preparation for this weekend's midwest rally. The pan under the LP tanks is solid sheet metal and would not allow passage of U-bolts without modification. The tank support would interfere with any placement of support for the cam swingarms. The HP mount is clean and neat. It's fully possible for RV techs to exercise care and not get into your wire bundle inside the A-frame.

All you have to do is space the gas bottle pan up about 1/2 inch and you will be good to go with the U bolt mount. A short stack of washers at each screw location for the tank pan worked fine for me on my 2002 25 ft Safari.

[SafariSS]

My Safari 30 has the bottle pan welded to the tongue. You could not raise it up without a plasma cutter. I also have the Reese dual cam, but I forget exactly where the trailer side brackets are. I know they are bolted to to the frame which I was leary about at first but my dealer had done a bunch of them this way.

I have seen the same hitch used in a photo in the Airstream owners manual.