Shocker Hitch with ‘their’ anti-sway bar

[Omnial]

I have a 2019 27’ Globetrotter FBQ. My typical tongue weight fully loaded for camping is about 930 lbs.

I’m towing with a F150 and use an Equal-i-zer WDH with 1000 lb. Bars. It looks like I might have the start of FES (dimple on lower left corner below front hatch, no popped rivets).

I’m moving to a new TV: Silverado 2500 HD and would like to incorporate a Shocker hitch to soften the ride for the trailer (and passengers).

The Silverado manual says WDH is not needed for this tongue weight. I don’t have the truck yet so I don’t know how far the truck will squat when the trailer is loaded on the ball.

From my research it seems I have multiple options/sub options:

1. Abandon the current Equal-i-zer WDH completely and just tow on a new Shocker with Hitch ball. I like this idea mainly to make it easier to handle instaling/removing the hitch from the truck (less weight).
2. Above, but add the Shocker-provided anti-sway bar. This is relatively light and can be deployed or not depending on driving conditions. Are these actually effective?
3. Above, but also add air bags to truck to level it out.
4. Combine the Equal-i-zer hitch with the Shocker Equalizer unit. I think this will be very heavy to handle but will provide the benefits of a WDH and smoothness of an air hitch.

Are there are any other options in the Shocker and Equal-i-zer WDH world I should consider? I’m not interested in purchasing another WDH system.

Also, I wonder which solution will be most gentle on the trailer and not exacerbate the FES concern.

[TrvlngTinTin]

I have a 450 pound ranch hand for a bumper.
And 6.7 diesel motor to distribute weight back to the front.
My steer tires aren’t going anywhere I don’t point them.

As for the squat, I use airbags. I set them lower around 41 psi.
I’ve been told sigh that running air bags and towing dont mix. Works 100 percent for me.
I’ve got about 30,000 miles doing it this way.
I have a CDL license zero accidents 62 years old.
Today drove through 45 mi per hr wind and gust 0 issues probably less than if I had the weight distribution on. 65 to 70 mi per hr speed.
If your trucks hitch numbers are right, you’ll have no problem. But without air bags or a 350 equivalent or weight distribution you’re going to squat.
My Neanderthal thinking
Happy Travels
:-)

[overlander64]

Greetings Omnial!

I can't be of much help with your question other than my intuition suggests keeping your current weight distributing hitch with one possible modification -- stepping down one size in weight distribution bars to ease the trailer's ride -- I am not certain whether that is suggested with Equal-i-zer when you tow with a heavy duty truck-based tow vehicle. I know that was the recommendation of a Reese hitch expert back during the three year time frame (1995-1998) when I towed my Airstream with a pickup -- I too have stuck with the same weight distributing hitch since I began trailering in 1980 -- the Reese Strait Line Hitch with Dual Cam Sway Control -- it has been installed on three different trailers and used with many varied tow vehicles over the years with only the weight distribution bars needing to be adjusted for rating to suit the combination involved.

The one comment that I would make is that one of the reasons that I have the Reese Strait Line Hitch with Dual Cam Sway Control is that the dealer from whom I purchased my first new trailer in 1980 equipped my new Nomad with a regular Reese Hitch with friction sway control. That setup lasted for two trips. The friction sway control was one huge headache. When you read the instructions it suggests/requires that :

1. Should you encounter rain or ice/snow, stop and significantly reduce tension on the friction adjustment mechanism.
2. When heavy and/or gusty winds are encountered, stop and increase the tension on the adjustment of the friction mechanism.
3. When traveling around heavy truck traffic, stop and slightly increase tension on friction adjustment mechanism.
4. Once any of the above conditions clears, stop and return the friction tension adjustment mechanism to your normal setting.

The final straw was my second trip with that trailer when I encountered sway. It was a completely clear, calm day, on a clear rural highway while accelerating toward the 55 MPH speed limit climbing a very gradual hill. The friction bar did nothing despite being properly adjusted and my rig did a 180 degree spin in the middle of the road when I ended up headed West when I was headed East. Luckily, no damage to tow vehicle other than a bumper guard that was torn off. The friction sway control bar was bent almost beyond recognition, and one of the trailer springs was protruding through its tire. This episode made my decision to purchase the Strait Line Hitch with Dual Cam Sway Control and I have never looked back as it has provided the weight distribution that I want, but more importantly the sway control that I need for peace mind.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings Omnial!

I can't be of much help with your question other than my intuition suggests keeping your current weight distributing hitch with one possible modification -- stepping down one size in weight distribution bars to ease the trailer's ride -- I am not certain whether that is suggested with Equal-i-zer when you tow with a heavy duty truck-based tow vehicle.

The Equalizer works by friction of the bars on the frame brackets. Lighter bars are certainly good, better than bars that are too stiff. The issue is Equalizer bars are stupid stiff and heavy, and do stress the tongue.

The other issue is, Equalizer does NOT have interchangeable bars. If you have the wrong weight bars, you must buy an entirely new hitch (except for the shank) as the head will only accept the one weight of bars it was designed for. This is one of the major reasons I would never wish a Equal-i-zer on anyone (and I used to own one)

From the Equal-i-zer store web page.........

Spring Arms
Replacement spring arms for your Equal‑i‑zer® hitch. These arms are only compatible with the matching weight rating hitch head.



Charles