equalizer hitch - any negatives?

[slowmover]

Let us know when you've used one.

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Let us know when you've used one.

The OP wanted to know if there were any negatives to the equal-I-zer.
Personally after 3 Airstreams that have superior trailering characteristics to begin with, and 100,000k of comfortable no sway towing with the equalizer I personally don't have to experiment with anything else.


George

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Let us know when you've used one.

Hi, just like my propane tanks, there is no reason to change them to something else. I'm perfectly happy with my Equal-I-zer brand hitch. Over eleven years of use with no problems, no broken parts, and no worn out parts. I see no logical reason to try something else. Close to 25,000 miles towed, just on two trips alone.

"My trailer, only once, swayed violently out of control; It was parked in my driveway during a 5.0 Earthquake."

[Motoman]

We also have a lot of experience with the Equal-i-zer, very good sway control for 125,000 miles on the same hitch, with 1000 lbs. bars used on two different Airstreams, 80,000 miles on a 2005 25' International CCD and a over 45,000 miles on our 2012 28' International Signature Series. Previously used an Equal-i-zer with 600 lbs. bars to pull a 22' International CCD with a Jeep Cherokee. Of course neither hitch performed very well when we drove home from the two different dealers; I spent several hours measuring and following Equal-i-zer's directions to give some drop to both the front and rear of the tow vehicle. At most i might buy a new one for peace of mind but the high mileage hitch still performs well.

[paiceman]

Did not post negatives. Only one I can think of, it makes some noise. I grease it where all posts and info says too but I still get the squeaking noise. Not bothersome enough to change, however.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by paiceman

Did not post negatives. Only one I can think of, it makes some noise. I grease it where all posts and info says too but I still get the squeaking noise. Not bothersome enough to change, however.

I installed the nylon pads on the L-Brackets; huge difference. It eliminates all that grease on them, much cleaner to handle. It's VERY quiet for that portion, although you still get the 'clunk' when the spring arm moves in or out. Now I just have to grease the pivot in the hitch head.

http://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-95...r+bracket+pads

[Moflash]

We pull a 28ft International with a 2015 F350 Supercrew lwb. The Equalizer 4 point wd combined with a Airsafe hitch has been a great combo for us.We have traveled many miles in all conditions imaginable and had no regrets thus far.

[Mighty Mite]

WOW, for a "newbe" and reading all the posts on Hitches and all the recommendations and all the negatives Posted, leaves my head spinning.


Here are my facts.
2021 16' Caravel (coming in end of Nov)
4,300 lb GVWR / Dry weight 3,500 / 490 lb hitch weight


TV 2020 Jeep Gladiator / Max tow 6,000 lbs / Max hitch 600 lbs


Trailer is coming from South Land RV near Atlanta. A 5 rivet dealer


The only hitch they install is a Equalizer. They are talking about a 6,000 lb model with 600 lb arms. (is that the correct model I should use ?)



So, are there any members that are towing a 16' Bambi or Caravel with the Equalizer hitch. With South Land only installing the Equalizer and a large Airstream dealer, I would think there must be some good info from these owners.


Thanks so much for your help, Bob

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, just like my propane tanks, there is no reason to change them to something else. I'm perfectly happy with my Equal-I-zer brand hitch. Over eleven years of use with no problems, no broken parts, and no worn out parts. I see no logical reason to try something else. Close to 25,000 miles towed, just on two trips alone.

"My trailer, only once, swayed violently out of control; It was parked in my driveway during a 5.0 Earthquake."

Hi, same story, but now it has been over 15 years.

[BayouBiker]

The 16' trailer is worlds apart from a 25' or larger. Equalizer hitches perform very well but the design requires stiff bars. Too stiff for many trailers. The shorter trailer compounds the issue especially over uneven terrain. If you don't mind needlessly beating up your trailer then get the Equalizer. Otherwise go with a design with tapered bars or the Andersen which does not apply vertical tension so it is much more gentle.

There are of course tens of thousand of happy Equalizer customers who will say it works great (it does) and they have had no issues, but that does not change the fact that relative to other designs the Equalizers are very stiff and unforgiving and the strain it causes the trailer is not necessary.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by Mighty Mite

The only hitch they install is a Equalizer. They are talking about a 6,000 lb model with 600 lb arms. (is that the correct model I should use ?)

Thanks so much for your help, Bob

Bob,

Why not contact Equal-I-Zer and ask them? 800-478-5578

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/

Or use their hitch finder.

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/find-your-hitch-size

And scroll down on their homepage and then click on history you'll see some vintage Airstream rigs a big 4 door Lincoln and a convertible Comet?

Just make 100% sure no matter how many stars they have that the correct hitch ball shank LENGTH is installed. It's in the manual.

Gary

[BayouBiker]

Can someone explain why, with a short trailer stiff bars, ones that have about half the range of motion for the same tension increase are the better choice or why they should be considered. What effectively is occurring is that twice as much suspension energy, that is intended to be stored and released by the vehicle rear springs and frame, instead is being absorbed and released by the tension bars and trailer structure compared to more forgiving solid tapered bars. Can someone explain how this is a good thing to do?

Hollow round bars are an improvement and solid bars are better, tapered better still. The least strain on the trailer are designs that make use of horizontal tension systems like the Andersen. Don't get me wrong, its fine to trade some tension stiffness for other features if you're being deliberate about it, otherwise it is baffling.

[ROBERT CROSS]

^
X2

I'm just an associate Pastor, but I'm in full agreement with the above Sermon.

'cept I wouldn't baptize the anderson

Bob
🇺🇸

[Acheron2010]

Another reason to get the Equalizer - each of those bars weighs 17 pounds, and makes a fine piece of exercise equipment. A few overhead lift and curl sets, combined with manual cranking the stabilizers and deep knee bends to deploy and store the waste hose, you have a comprehensive Airstream exercise program. Free.

[Mollysdad]

I chose an Equalizer, found a like new one on Craig's list for $150.
Here's my positives:
I've never experienced sway.
It tows great.
It's easy to connect to.
It's supremely adjustable.

Here's my negatives:
It's supremely adjustable. ??? It whispers in your ear, "I can make it better if I remove a washer and raise the "L" brackets one hole."

It makes some noise. I only notice it at parking lot speed. I've had people shout, "put some grease on that!" which of course you don't.

Right now, I have no plans to change.

[Rich W]

Here's a recent review for a number of hitches, maybe that will help. I bought my AS from a previous owner who included the Equalizer WD hitch. This is my first one and Equalizer support has been very helpful in getting it set up. I have nothing to compare it against but it has been excellent for towing my AS. Yes, it is complicated to get set up but adding or removing a washer, going up or down a hole for the spring arms or adding the nylon pads on the L-bracket to quiet the noise have given me the options to make it work for my rig. It's been to a lot of different states, north, south and west to Oregon. Never had a problem. YMMV

https://www.rvweb.net/best-weight-di...ches-reviewed/

[ROBERT CROSS]

The #1 choice, 1000lb TW, that won't werk on a lot of AS's, that makes no cents.🤓

Where are the PPP's?....Maybe it's because they are outside the payola circle so they don't get evaluated.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Gene]

The lightest bars Equalizer makes are 400 and 600 lb. Use the 600, the 400 is too light, so 600 is your best choice. When we bought our Airstream, the dealer put on much heavier bars than were necessary. I suspect that was what they had in stock. Nonetheless, we had no problems because the bars were too stiff or too heavy.

[NeilWK]

Anyone use a shockerhitch and Equal-i-zer combination? Looks like this was released earlier this year.
Add air ride towing to your pickup & camper with a equalizer, weight-distribution hitch (easily bolt your existing weight-distribution head to air equalizer).

https://shockerhitch.com/product/air-equalizer/

[BayouBiker]

The shockerhitch is a nice bandaid for stiffness of the Equalizer, so long and the bumps are small. Can't help with the big ons which can damage the trailer or uneven terrain which is generally more damaging yet. No doubt, once set-up correctly the Equalizer is an excellent performing hitch for sway and handling but there is not much can be done to make it gentle on the trailers. I have noticed nobody has made a case that the stiff bars are an advantage except in a street fight or muscle building.