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kswelsh · 09-19-2023, 10:26 PM

Hi,
My husband and I are in the process of getting a new to us 2020 Classic. It has a Blue Ox hitch. We just purchased an Equalizer hitch for our 2012 Classic two months ago. I'd like to take a poll to see if we should take the Blue Ox hitch or have the Equalizer moved from our trailer to the one we are buying. Pros and Cons of each please? Thank you for your opinion - much appreciated!

2link2 · 09-20-2023, 09:50 AM

Your gonna probably hear a lot "I've been towing with X hitch and it's the best, blah, blah, blah. Both of those hitches are very good it comes down to personal preference, tow vehicle, money, and whatever else you can think of.

IMO take the easy route 1st, if the new TT has a the Blue Ox run with it. It may be the best towing experience you ever had. There is absolutely no logical reason for going to the trouble of swapping out the hitch (unless it's wore out).

If you don't like the Blue Ox after living with it than go Equalizer.

Good Luck !

gypsydad · 09-20-2023, 10:37 AM

4th AS; have used Reese which was fine; then next 25' AS came with an Equalizer (which had a sway bar become twisted shortly after taking possession while backing up); then got my first Blue Ox Sway Pro...with proper instruction on how to load/unload using your front jack, it has preformed very well with 2 different year 25's. So when I got a new 2017' 28' FC model, I also got a new Blue Ox Sway Pro...that was 65K miles ago now...works great IMHO. By the way, there are several pretty good Hitches out there, with various pricing of course. AS is currently recommending the Blue Ox...if you follow the Forum here, you can find several folks who like BO; several folks who like "other" brands..in the end, you need to do some research on line and see which one makes sense for your needs and also $$. Each one has strengths and weaknesses weather it be cost, how they work, and even how easy they are to hitch up your AS...but performance wise, Blue Ox SP does pretty good job...as does the Hensly, Reese, and others...if you Google "Best WDH for towing an AS", you will likely become even more confused! Good luck.

kswelsh · 09-21-2023, 05:48 AM

Thank you both for the good advice. I appreciate you takng the time to respond to my question.

majorairhead · 09-21-2023, 04:11 PM

I've only ever used my Equalizer hitch. Never had any issues with it but it does take regular maintenance, including cleaning and greasing the bar sockets.

I've read good things about the blue ox. I'd probably keep the ox and sell that equalizer if I were in your shoes.

sbreech · 09-21-2023, 06:53 PM

We use the Blue Ox Sway Pro and it does what is supposed to do very well. If it was stolen and I was given $5000 to buy a new hitch, I’d buy the Blue Ox again. This is nothing negative about the equalizer… just why would I switch from something that is already great?

Besides, Airstream partnered with Blue Ox and recommends them, and I believe Airstream knows their trailers best.

FMSports · 10-02-2023, 11:11 AM

Same situation here, trading to a Globetrotter 27FBT with a Blue Ox hitch setup. There is a dude on youtube that did not give a good review.

I like the Equalizer, works well, it's straight-ahead to hook up using the tongue jack. I grease it so it's not too loud. The bars don't appear to be very forgiving, when moving out of level is my concern.

I called Equalizer to discuss and they said if you stay within 50-100% of front end measurement, there should be no problem. 100% = restoring front ride height to unladen spec.

I think I'll keep both and do a back-to-back.

One consideration I have is the what-ifs. So what spares you need if you lose a pin or need to tighten a bolt etc.

Bill M. · 10-02-2023, 12:24 PM

I have never used with one. But...I would go with the Blue Ox.

aftermath · 10-02-2023, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

... then next 25' AS came with an Equalizer (which had a sway bar become twisted shortly after taking possession while backing up); then got my first Blue Ox Sway Pro...

I am an Equalizer fan and have used one on all of my trailers, but then, this is the only hitch I have ever used. My current trailer has well over 65K miles with it and I haven't had any trouble. All that said, I do believe that the Blue Ox is also a very good hitch. I like the advice you are getting. If the new trailer comes with a Blue Ox, I would try it. You can always switch later. You might like the Ox better.

I am not sure what gypsydad was trying to say in his post. An equalizer does not have a sway bar. Way back, there were few hitches that allowed you to back up with it connected. Equalizer designed theirs to allow backing up. This was the primary reason I went with this hitch. Now, it is not an issue.....

gypsydad · 10-03-2023, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aftermath

I am an Equalizer fan and have used one on all of my trailers, but then, this is the only hitch I have ever used. My current trailer has well over 65K miles with it and I haven't had any trouble. All that said, I do believe that the Blue Ox is also a very good hitch. I like the advice you are getting. If the new trailer comes with a Blue Ox, I would try it. You can always switch later. You might like the Ox better.

I am not sure what gypsydad was trying to say in his post. An equalizer does not have a sway bar. Way back, there were few hitches that allowed you to back up with it connected. Equalizer designed theirs to allow backing up. This was the primary reason I went with this hitch. Now, it is not an issue.....

Equalizer does have sway control; those square bars, which they claim are used for sway control. From their website:

"Our Integrated 4 Point Sway Control provides the highest level of resistance against sway. There is no other hitch on the market that offers as much sway control as the Equal-i-zer." I beg to differ with that last statement!

https://www.equalizerhitch.com/how-equalizer-works

When backing my 25' AS in a parking lot to turn around, one of these "twisted" and actually cracked at the seam. That was 11 years ago, so hopefully they (Equalizer) have stronger bars now. I am not saying I know better; simply sharing my experience. The Blue Ox Sway Control bars/system uses "tapered" solid steel spring load bars suspended by chains which can move as needed adding additional "tension" at the hitch, pulling the load (AS) back in straight line. They are offered in different weight loads for your tongue weight. I have 1200# bars; my tongue weight is 1150#.. As I mentioned, 3rd BO on last 3 AS's...never an issue and I do like the system. YMMV

FMSports · 10-05-2023, 02:21 AM

Picked up the new '23 27FBT GlobeT today and it's heavier than the '19 27FB International I dropped in trade.

The Blue Ox hitch shank was setup for something big (3500, 3/4 ton) with a monster shank, so it was easier to swap the Equalizer brackets in, & cranked up a notch.

The Equalizer setup drove very nice on the way back w/ 100% weight distribution.

Going to install the BlueOx next day or 2, now that we have it in the driveway

SallyForth · 10-05-2023, 07:02 AM

The Blue Ox hitch can be VERY dangerous if you fail to follow the correct procedure, have a lapse of memory or get distracted while unhitching the trailer.

The perils of improperly operating this hitch are illustrated in a video episode of the Airstream YouTubers “Life Between the Ditches”, entitled OUR FIRST NIGHT IN THE AIRSTREAM.

When we bought our first Airstream I asked the dealer to install a Blue Ox hitch. Their service manager refused to install one even though their website listed them as a Blue Ox dealer. He offered no explanation, other than to say he preferred the Equalizer.

FMSports · 10-05-2023, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the info. Yes - as the "the ditches" youtubers are disconnecting the BoTox they have trailer ball off the truck, so the spring bars are suspending the truck rear/loaded up. then they spin loose..yikes!

I installed the Blue Ox and really like it. Reasons:

1. Spring bars are more compliant, therefore should absorb bumps, like a proper spring, without potentially overloading the trailer frame.
2. The hitch head is pre-tilted and has a more stack, which can apply more weight distribution (torque around the hitch ball) with less force.
3. The chains have compliance, flex and isolation as well, over the bolted on L bracket setup
4. Bars weigh less, easier to work with
5. Proper spring bar interface vs metal on metal design.

I lowered the hitch head vs the Equalizer and hit my distribution numbers on the first try. Need to align the brackets a bit better and torque it up

aftermath · 10-05-2023, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydad

...

When backing my 25' AS in a parking lot to turn around, one of these "twisted" and actually cracked at the seam. That was 11 years ago, so hopefully they (Equalizer) have stronger bars now. ...YMMV

Not trying to beat a dead horse here but I think we are arguing semantics. Those "sway bars" you referenced are primarily for Weight Distribution and because they transfer lots of friction to the head and the L brackets they also act to reduce sway. My confusion remains because of your statemtent above. I got my first Equalizer in 2001 or so. The bars then, and now were solid steel and I would say impossible to twist or crack at a seam since a solid bar has no seams. Perhaps you had a much earlier version of Equalizer. I am sure the Blue Ox is a very good hitch, not trying to diminish it in any way. I could be way off base here about the structure of the bars used by Equalizer and would welcome anyone who has some input. I am an old dog but am willing to give new tricks a shot. thanks

SallyForth · 10-05-2023, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aftermath

I got my first Equalizer in 2001 or so. The bars then, and now were solid steel and I would say impossible to twist or crack at a seam since a solid bar has no seams.

This link to a YouTube video tour of the Equal-i-zer factory by Airstreamers “Luv Subbin” might help clarify the construction of this hitch.

https://youtu.be/mHXth1kspyI?si=7wRv1uEfMeV9HuEs

aftermath · 10-05-2023, 06:53 PM

Thanks SallyForth. That was interesting. Solid steel bars as I expected.

gypsydad · 10-06-2023, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aftermath

Not trying to beat a dead horse here but I think we are arguing semantics. Those "sway bars" you referenced are primarily for Weight Distribution and because they transfer lots of friction to the head and the L brackets they also act to reduce sway. My confusion remains because of your statemtent above. I got my first Equalizer in 2001 or so. The bars then, and now were solid steel and I would say impossible to twist or crack at a seam since a solid bar has no seams. Perhaps you had a much earlier version of Equalizer. I am sure the Blue Ox is a very good hitch, not trying to diminish it in any way. I could be way off base here about the structure of the bars used by Equalizer and would welcome anyone who has some input. I am an old dog but am willing to give new tricks a shot. thanks

Could be the model/year of that Equalizer hitch that came with my 2008 AS at the time..the bars were square/hollow tubing, which is why I saw the crack where the one bar twisted. They well may be solid now; I have not looked at Equalizer since going to BO with Sway Control bars. If they are solid, they do not have any flex/give to help with sway, like the BO SP design using the tapered bars and the chains which also add additional lateral tension when bars move side to side.

As pointed out, the BO can cause "pain" if you don't pay attention and hook up per the videos, using your power jack.. key is pay attention, use a braker bar, and take as much tension off the bars as you can prior to locking down the sway bars....easy once you understand how it works; watch the video. I have never had an issue over the years; 3 different size AS's and new 3 BO Sway Pro. There are several good hitches out there...some better than others...

gypsydad · 10-06-2023, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aftermath

Thanks SallyForth. That was interesting. Solid steel bars as I expected.

Yea, solid steel bars are what they use today. I called Equalizer just now and talked with one of their techs who said they stopped using the square tubing about 10 years ago and replaced with the solid steel bars you see now. They did not recommend backing with those tubing bars, he said. That makes sense.

Brentsouth · 10-08-2023, 10:35 AM

I failed to follow instructions, was in a hurry with my Blue Ox, while disconnecting. Result - life flight helicopter ride to emergency room. You have to be very careful when disconnecting and follow the instructions. I am not the brightest bulb on the tree and lucky to be alive.

20TIRES · 10-08-2023, 10:44 AM

Had both the BO and the Equalizer. My 23' FC came with the BO and on a trip back to SC from FL, two semi's on either side caused some sway to start. That was unnerving and I switched to the Equalizer. No issues with that on a trip to and from MI. Having said that, I had a 30 classic AS and used BO with no issues. Go figure.