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Old 11-02-2019, 07:34 PM   #1
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2007 28' International CCD
McCall , Idaho
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Which load leveling hitch?

I recently bought a 2007 28 International. What load leveling hitch do you go with?

I appreciate your help.
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Old 11-02-2019, 07:41 PM   #2
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Oh boy. Here we go. Whatever load leveling hitch you get needs sway control. As to actual hitch you will hear the following:
1) Equalizer.
2) Anderson
3) Dual Cam
4) Blue Ox
5) Hensley
6) Propride

And there are a number more.

The first 4 are sway control. The last 2 are no-sway and you pay significantly more.

I pull a 28’ AS International Serenity. I use the Propride. I like it because it is easy to adjust the bars and it eliminates the bow affect and sway. But you are talking over $2500.

Others will recommend different and less expensive options. Just remember whatever you get needs some sort of sway control.

By the way I use 1500lb bars. You should have at least 1000lb bars and there are different philosophies out there depending upon your hitch weight and the size of your tow vehicle. But on a 28’ you can expect that hitch weight to anywhere from 900 to 1000lbs. Plan accordingly.
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Old 11-10-2019, 05:06 AM   #3
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If you get a big enough tow vehicle you won't need a weight distribution or sway control hitch. For a 28' Airstream a 3/4 ton truck will do it.
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Old 11-10-2019, 05:58 AM   #4
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You’ll notice most reading this have chosen not to reply. Not that there’s anything wrong with your question, but this question usually will ignite huge arguments between, “no hitch”, “Hensley/PropPride or go home”, etc.

By the way I have a 28’ FC (2020) and I use Equalizer with 1000 lb bars. I measured the hitch weight at 900 lbs. tow vehicle is F350 diesel.

Good luck

Jim
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Old 11-10-2019, 06:38 AM   #5
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Equilizer here....no issues.
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Old 11-10-2019, 07:08 AM   #6
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Eaz-Lift with 1400 b. bars recommended and installed by Can-Am Rv. We have put 50,000 miles on the trailer with no issues. This is our first trailer so we have no other experience as a reference.

https://www.eaz-lift.com/product-pag...lite-hitch-kit
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Old 11-10-2019, 07:18 AM   #7
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Husky Centreline pulling a 34' with no problems, 800 lb. bars. Have used for several years with no problems or sway. Use what you feel confident with, and don't be afraid to change to another brand if you are not happy with the performance of what you purchased. The hitch is one of the least expensive parts of towing, compared to the Tow Vehicle!! Most on this forum have their own opinion of what is best, or what works best for them. You can have 2 identical units, both trailer and TV, and have very different towing experiences, due to the loading of the trailer and TV, and how the hitch is "set up". Good luck with your search and hope you find the right combination for yourself!!
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Old 11-10-2019, 07:19 AM   #8
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I will throw in. We have a 27 Tommy Bahama and use the Blue Ox with 1500 lbs bars. Love it. It has sway control but does not make noise when towing or turning. Keep it lubed.

Some of the others will make creaking noises. Not worse just different. Your mileage may vary. Good luck and enjoy your Airstream!
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Old 11-10-2019, 07:55 AM   #9
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We have an f-150 pulling a 23' Airstream. We are using a Reese Strait-line hitch with Dual Cam sway control. We have 1200# bars. If I had to buy today, I would get the same.
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Old 11-10-2019, 08:58 AM   #10
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We like the Reese duel cam...does a good job...close to 55,000 miles.
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Old 11-11-2019, 08:44 AM   #11
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Duckwheat it looks like you are towing with a MiniCooper from your profile. Since it only has a 1 inch receiver you may have an issue with any WDH as most are 2" shafts or larger. Not sure there is a 2" to 1" adapter available though a welding shop should be able to fix you up with something custom.
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Old 11-11-2019, 09:08 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by out of sight View Post
If you get a big enough tow vehicle you won't need a weight distribution or sway control hitch. For a 28' Airstream a 3/4 ton truck will do it.

I do not want to get involved it a "which hitch is best" argument. There are quite a few good ones out there. My only suggestion is that you look at the ease of hooking and unhooking. Never had any trouble with mine.


I, most respectfully, disagree with the quote above. I get it about the big macho trucks not, perhaps, needing WD. Hook a Bambi to a 1 ton diesel and it probably will not sit down at all. I also get it when people say that a properly balanced trailer will not sway. That might be true but does not take into account high winds, tire blowouts, emergency evasive maneuvers, or many other situations. I say everyone needs some kind of sway control....period.
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Old 11-11-2019, 09:58 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aftermath View Post
I do not want to get involved it a "which hitch is best" argument. There are quite a few good ones out there. My only suggestion is that you look at the ease of hooking and unhooking. Never had any trouble with mine.


I, most respectfully, disagree with the quote above. I get it about the big macho trucks not, perhaps, needing WD. Hook a Bambi to a 1 ton diesel and it probably will not sit down at all. I also get it when people say that a properly balanced trailer will not sway. That might be true but does not take into account high winds, tire blowouts, emergency evasive maneuvers, or many other situations. I say everyone needs some kind of sway control....period.


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Old 11-11-2019, 12:06 PM   #14
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For several years now all vehicles in the US have built in ESC (Electronic Stability Control). This has rendered mechanical sway control devices obsolete, as ESC will stabilize your vehicle much better in the event of an emergency.an emergency.

If your ESC activates during normal towing it means that your trailer is either poorly loaded or your tow vehicle is not large enough to tow it safely. A mechanical sway control device may help cover up the problem and make you feel more comfortable but it will not solve the problem.
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Old 11-11-2019, 12:15 PM   #15
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I should add that if your trailer feels like it is swaying it may be because you are using a weight distribution hitch and are removing load from the rear wheels. You need the rear wheels loaded properly to keep trailer sway under control.

Another negative aspect of wd hitches is that they increase the distance from the hitch ball to the tow vehicle rear axle. That will increase the propensity for the trailer to sway.

Better to just get yourself a larger tow vehicle that does not need a weight distribution hitch. In some cases the cost of the hitch will pay for upgrading your tow vehicle to the proper size.
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Old 11-11-2019, 02:06 PM   #16
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I've been very happy with my Equalizer 1000.
Very, very adjustable.
Sway control built in (although the creaking noise at walking speed makes people notice)
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Old 11-11-2019, 02:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by out of sight View Post
I should add


No, you really shouldn’t.

Carry on....
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Old 11-11-2019, 08:09 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by out of sight View Post
For several years now all vehicles in the US have built in ESC (Electronic Stability Control). This has rendered mechanical sway control devices obsolete, as ESC will stabilize your vehicle much better in the event of an emergency.an emergency.

If your ESC activates during normal towing it means that your trailer is either poorly loaded or your tow vehicle is not large enough to tow it safely. A mechanical sway control device may help cover up the problem and make you feel more comfortable but it will not solve the problem.
While this is not the wrongest post I have ever read, it comes in a close second. The vehicle's sway control doesn't kick in until it has detected considerable sway. It may prevent an accident, but it in no way prevents sway. My Reese Dual Cam dampens sway LONG before the vehicle has a chance to detect it. What sway there is is not noticeable.
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Old 11-11-2019, 08:35 PM   #19
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To clarify ESC, it "improves vehicle stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction (skidding)". When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle. TSA, or TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST, is programmed differently, and is designed to detect YAW in the tow vehicle and take specific corrective actions to eliminate trailer sway. Most ESC systems are not designed to detect such movement nor take the correct actions to control both trailer and tow vehicle. Unless your vehicle has both systems and you are able to correctly load your vehicle and trailer so that weight is placed on the required axles, a WD hitch SHOULD be used. I can find no law that requires a WD hitch. Common sense is required!!
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Old 11-11-2019, 08:52 PM   #20
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I pull a 28' Flying Cloud with a F250 PS, coupled with a Blue Ox Sway Pro, 1500# bars. I'm happy with it. No opinion on where it falls in the best to worst scale. I will say I would not want to pull my AS without WD. My model is fairly nose heavy and pushes rear of my TV further down than I want before WD applied.
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