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Weight Distribution Hitches

What brand do you own/recommend?
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Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby sportredtruck [OP] » Jun 06 2012, 12:24am

I have begun towing an RV Travel Trailer with my 2007 1500 Silverado. The trailer weighs about 5,000 lbs. and I am looking at getting a weight distribution hitch. I have gone to some of the local shops and have seen various brands and prices. Several shops insisted on the Equal-i-zer brand hitch made in the USA. So I will give the question to you all. What types of WDTs do you have or recommend? Also, is this type of hitch something that a fairly mechanically minded individual can install by themselves? Thanks.
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Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby Machster69 » Jun 06 2012, 12:44am

Why not a regular hitch? Its not 5k on the tongue.
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby johndeere9203 » Jun 06 2012, 2:46am

yea that is a light trailer load for your truck man dont waste your money on a fancy hitch for that small of a trailer
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby cyclepuck » Jun 06 2012, 5:16am

I'm using a curt trunnion wd hitch with friction sway control. Most accomplish the same thing just depends on what is a good price. If your budget is a little on the higher end get the equalizer 4point or reese dual cam. They both have a nice built in sway control. I just set mine up today so yes you can set it up yourself correctly with a little patience and direction following. And you will want a wd hitch. Trailer tongue weight is usually 10-15% of trailer weight which would put you in the 500-600lb range and you factory hitch is rated at 500lb without wd hitch. Is your trailer 5000 loaded or dry and how long?
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby Carmelsteve » Jun 06 2012, 5:53am

You absolutely should get a WD hitch. Also, if your trailer specs show 5000 pounds dry weight, add at least 500-1000 pounds for options, propane, gear, water etc. That would be about 600 pounds on your hitch, which will put a serious sag in the rear end. A properly set up WD hitch will drastically reduce handling changes that a your factory hitch would experience with that much weight.

I have a Reese WD with the Dual-Cam setup. I think they go for about $500 these days. I haul a 33 foot travel trailer that probably weighs about 7500 pounds loaded. With that setup, it hauls it very well, although with only a 1500, steep mountain grades are a bit of a stretch. In heavy crosswinds, it handles pretty well with the Dual Cam anti-sway.
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby sportredtruck [OP] » Jun 06 2012, 5:18pm

Thanks. My trailer is 25 feet long and is slightly short of 5,000 lbs. loaded. Looking for a good sway control too. I like the sound of the Reese Dual-Cam or the Equal-I-Zer.
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby deathphoenix99 » Jun 06 2012, 5:21pm

I'm probably going to be getting a WD hitch for my car trailer, but I'm thinking about just going with the harbor freight one. I've read good reviews on it and the price is in my range.
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby cyclepuck » Jun 06 2012, 5:59pm

deathphoenix99 wrote:I'm probably going to be getting a WD hitch for my car trailer, but I'm thinking about just going with the harbor freight one. I've read good reviews on it and the price is in my range.


Either one is a good choice. I wish I went that route with our old 18ft tt. Just bought a basic wd hitch without sway control because it was light and short so no issues with sway what so ever but we just picked up a 30" so wish I had a better hitch but the fricton sway controls does the job.
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby Mjayco » Jun 07 2012, 12:01pm

I have the Reese dual cam and it works very well with my 32' Toy Hauler that weighs abot 12000 Lbs fully loaded.
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Re: Weight Distribution Hitches

Postby FireIdiot » Jun 08 2012, 7:19am

I have a Equalizer hitch with the integrated sway control via the bars. I love it. I towed a 5,500 lb travel trailer with it for 5 years and I now have a 7,000 lb travel trailer. I prefer this setup over the bars with the external sway control. Steel on steel never wears out. They are a bit noisy when turning, but that's normal.
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