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Old 02-17-2016, 03:08 PM   #1
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Andersen 15k vs Equailzer 14k

Is there anyone towing a 35' TT using an Anderson 15K WDH? I have researched the Equalizer 4pt 14K and there seems to be a lot of you that are pulling with this WDH. I was looking at the Anderson primarily as an alternative to save a few $$. I have come to the conclusion based on other threads I've read on this forum that the Equalizer 4 pt 10k is not going to be heavy enough for my camper given the TW for my camper. I have already sold the Equalizer 10K

Here are the Spec's
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 297 RLDS Liberty Edition
TW=975
UVW=7356
GVWR=10,000
CCC=2644

TV is a 2012 Ram 2500 4x4 CC CTD SWB
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Old 02-17-2016, 04:17 PM   #2
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Equalizer 4 point is worth every penny and then some!
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Old 02-17-2016, 04:50 PM   #3
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I know I'm very happy with my equalizer and would buy another in a heartbeat. No experience with the Andersen, sorry.
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Old 02-17-2016, 04:59 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomnGerri View Post
Is there anyone towing a 35' TT using an Anderson 15K WDH? I have researched the Equalizer 4pt 14K and there seems to be a lot of you that are pulling with this WDH. I was looking at the Anderson primarily as an alternative to save a few $$. I have come to the conclusion based on other threads I've read on this forum that the Equalizer 4 pt 10k is not going to be heavy enough for my camper given the TW for my camper. I have already sold the Equalizer 10K

Here are the Spec's
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express 297 RLDS Liberty Edition
TW=975
UVW=7356
GVWR=10,000
CCC=2644

TV is a 2012 Ram 2500 4x4 CC CTD SWB
I use the andersen wdh with my 33'11" th and my tv is a chevy 2500hd
love the set up and the andersen works great
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Old 02-17-2016, 06:53 PM   #5
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I have a Rockwood 8311WS that is comparable in length and weight to your travel trailer, I have the Anderson 15k Hitch that the dealer included in the purchase. I don't have very much experience with this hitch but I was very satisfied.
I have used my parents trailer for the past few years and it is 27ft long but a heavy cedar creek silverback four seasons trailer. He uses the Reese and it also did good I don't think you would have any trouble with the Anderson with a three-quarter ton truck but that's just my opinion. I always use a 2500 HD Chevy. I'm sure more people will chime in shortly good luck with your decision.
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Old 02-17-2016, 09:59 PM   #6
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I had the Andersen on our 26BH Grey Wolf, it was a fine hitch, I never had an actual problem with it. It does a good job at sway control. But I will say that it did not seen to transfer weight to the front axle as well as I was thinking it would, but for me it wasn't that big of deal because the 26BH has a pretty light tongue weight at only around 700 or 750 lbs loaded. The only other down fall to the Andersen is the triangle plate that attaches to the bottom of the ball, it can be a real PITA to get on some times if you try to hook up at a different angle that what you unhooked from as you simply can't just turn the ball by hand to line up the holes for the pin. The easiest way I found to solve this was to couple the ball, run the tongue jack down to pull the ball out of the tapered sleeve, then turn the ball to the position needed and then re-seat the ball the the tongue weight of the camper.

We traded the Grey Wolf in on a Passport 3220BH (35.5', 7500 lbs, roughly 1000lbs TW loaded) and the dealer included the Reese Dual Cam hitch. Once I got the hitch setup correctly it is a great setup! IMO for weight distribution it is far superior to the Andersen. I can't comment about the Equalizer since I have not had that hitch.

When I bought the Andersen it was only like $320, so it as great for the price point. But now I see it is up to $500, IMO for that price there are hitches that do a much better job at WD.
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Old 02-18-2016, 04:13 PM   #7
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Looking from the GVWR, 10,000lbs, the 1400lbs Equalizer will cover you thru 14% TW. So the 1400 should be enough capacity, if you were somehow able to load 2600 lbs of options and stuff in the trailer (not likely).

Looking from an estimated actual weight for such a large trailer, 7356 + 1200 lbs (options and stuff in trailer) = 8556lbs. At a moderate 13% TW, that's 1112lbs TW. To avoid the bouncy "porpoising", I always like to add 100 lbs (1212), then round up to the next rating, which would be the 1400. So either way, 1400 looks like a good choice. The 1400 certainly would not be too much, even if your TW comes in under 1200 lbs. Our roughly 750lbs TW does fine with a 1000lbs Equalizer.

The main concern, as someone else said, about the Andersen, is it's ability to transfer weight. If you had a 1/2-ton, I'd say not-a-chance. With a 3/4-ton, and a lighter trailer, I'd say you would be OK.

But with this heavy trailer/TW, even with a 3/4-ton, it's a gamble (IMO). If you are the type that just wants to jack up the rear a bit, and have good sway control, then the Andersen will do that.

But the primary goal of a WDH is not just visual leveling. The main goal is to actually get the front wheels loaded (while towing) the same as they were before the trailer was attached. As I've shown with math/statics in other threads, the direction of load application (rearward) on the Andersen fundamentally limits it's ability to transfer much weight.

If I were you, I would pass on the Andersen, given your combination.
The 1400 Equal-I-zer will serve you very well. And you already know how to use it.
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Old 02-18-2016, 07:01 PM   #8
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I like my Equalizer hitch, been thinking of going up from the 12k to the 14k model. All I need is to buy the 14k head and run my 1200 bars . Etrailer seems to have the best price for the head. Please let me if anyone can get it less than $274
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Old 02-18-2016, 07:17 PM   #9
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Equalizer

We have a 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 297 RLDS Liberty Edition with a 1200lb TW using a 1400lb Equalizer hitch. No problems towing and TW/TT staying level. I installed 1000lb air bags for extra support. Drove from PA to FL down 81, 77, etc twice with no issues.
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Old 02-18-2016, 07:29 PM   #10
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IMO the E4 offers the best-bang-for-buck. The E4 is popular, so you can find like-new ones on Craigslist, etc. for less than a new Anderson. With a power tongue jack it's easy to hook-up, push the bars in place, and be on your way...
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Old 02-18-2016, 10:26 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the replies ordered the equalizer 14K tonight
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Old 02-18-2016, 10:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Red and 30WR View Post
I like my Equalizer hitch, been thinking of going up from the 12k to the 14k model. All I need is to buy the 14k head and run my 1200 bars . Etrailer seems to have the best price for the head. Please let me if anyone can get it less than $274
Think you will need to upgrade the bars to the 14k's
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Old 02-18-2016, 11:36 PM   #13
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I towed my Vibe 308BHS (37') with an unloaded weight of 7250 with the equalizer 4 point 14k hitch. Worked really well on my Ecoboost F150


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Old 02-19-2016, 11:44 AM   #14
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I have an Anderson wdh and it does a good job on sway control, it's pretty easy to put on and it's "relatively" light compared to some others.

But it doesn't do nearly as good of a job distributing weight. I can't get the front end if my trailer to come up at all when hitched up to my 2500 dodge. I messed with it for a solid day and finally gave up and filled my Firestone bags to 30psi to level it out.

I found that with the airbags filled up and the Anderson on, I got an increased amount of bounce coming from the trailer. It was strange. I plan on messing with it again next time we take it out. If I can't get the Anderson to transfer the weight I will be selling it and going back to an Equalizer.


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Old 02-20-2016, 07:54 AM   #15
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Loved pulling my 35 ft TT with my Anderson. Three years and 24,000 miles of just enjoyable RV life. Sold it all and bought a new Cedar Creek 36ckts 5th wheel and a new 1 ton GMC Denali diesel to match. Love em both. I never took my plate off the Anderson, simply backed off the big nuts every time I unhooked even at angle. I just had to rehook at the same angle and all went fast and well.
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