Do I need to know loaded camper weight before buy WDH?

[Keith_Schumaker]

I have the husky ts 800-1200# model that works very well with my trailer which is about 8600 loaded and about 1050 tounge weight. It was about $325, all of the parts seem very well made and all of the reviews were good. The trailer tows like a dream even with my current truck, a 1500 ram ecodiesel which is maxed out at 8600 lbs towing.

[CaptnJohn]

The Equalizer 4 point you need is $519.70 from eTrailer.com with free shipping. Set up takes about an hour if you need to make an adjustment. Easy to hook up ~~ have had the BX once and went back to Eq until going to 5ers. Made in the USA and good CS too. Most others are Chinese imports.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

The Equalizer 4 point you need is $519.70 from eTrailer.com with free shipping. Set up takes about an hour if you need to make an adjustment. Easy to hook up ~~ have had the BX once and went back to Eq until going to 5ers. Made in the USA and good CS too. Most others are Chinese imports.

RVW is cheaper.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by bikendan

RVW is cheaper.

Today, with the shank RVW now says $648.99 and not sure if shipping is free. Looks like entire system at eTrailer is $519 with free shipping. Without the shank RVW wants $537.

[Hersbird]

I bought mine from etrailer.com before taking delivery (I had to wait 2 weeks for a check anyway, and they didn't sell the one I wanted) Then I took it to the dealer when picking it up and watched/helped them install. This way I could see how and that it was adjusted. If they charged me anything it wasn't much, I also bought a brake new controller and installation from them at the same time. I worried that after fully loading the camper it might need adjustment but it was good, we had full propane and water at the dealer so it was just our personal gear added. Even after going from a 1500 tow vehicle to a 2500 diesel we only had to change the hitch height a few notches down, nothing on the bars or tension. Mine is a simple E2 Fastway hitch and just clamps on the camper frame no drilling and comes with the head, you only need to supply a ball.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by dbledan

Agreed it is easy to do yourself.

I took my hitch and ball into a trailer shop to get it torqued so I would not have to buy a 450lb torque wrench I would use once. I had the 150 ftlb wrench already.

A 150 lb guy on a 3 ft cheater bar = 450 ft-lbs.

[thebrakeman]

4pt Equal-I-zer, or Blue Ox, and I'm sure you will be very happy. I agree that the Blue Ox setup looks a tad easier, as the more flexible bars supposedly adjust automatically. Personally, I like to fine-tune things, and my gut said that the more flexible bars equals some sort of compromise. I don't know.

But for ease of engagement, I don't see how anyone can say the Blue Ox is easier.
Blue Ox: Many say that the included wrench (or whatever they call it) can be a hazard to use, 1 side at a time, and can be a knuckle-buster. Many say to invest in a longer breaker bar and socket. Either way, you are exerting effort to engage 1 side, then the other, and engaging some safety pins to lock into place.

Equal-I-zer: Lift the electric jack, swing bars into place by hand, engage L-pins to lock into place, lower electric jack.

Equal-I-zer may take a couple of minutes longer while the electric jack is spinning up and down, but it's zero effort. Likewise, Blue Ox may take a bit more effort, but you are done a couple of minutes sooner.

In the end, they are both well-liked systems. You pick if you want to get on the road 2 minutes sooner (choose BX), or if you don't want to bother with wrenching the latches into place (choose EQ).

[Toolman_GA]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

A 150 lb guy on a 3 ft cheater bar = 450 ft-lbs.

Home Depot sells a Husky torque wrench that is calibrated up to the torque needed for the hitch for a good price. Don't mess with the harbor freight ones.

Sent from my XT1565 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Hersbird]

The fastway e2 also can be backed up no problem without changing anything. I also like I can usually disconnect the bars without any tool just by lifting the toung jack. If it's all sitting level I can also usually connect the bars without the tool by lifting the toung jack. Saving $100s is just a side benefit, the design just seems better to me.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Today, with the shank RVW now says $648.99 and not sure if shipping is free. Looks like entire system at eTrailer is $519 with free shipping. Without the shank RVW wants $537.

If you looked farther down, the 10k with shank is $451.99, cheaper than the no shank one.

https://parts.rvwholesalers.com/prod...nt=45956491912

[Hersbird]

If you have a 4x4 with good ground clearance then get the E2 2 point vs the 4 point, $280 with the shank, free shipping https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...4-00-1000.html
this is the problem with the E2 but it's not a problem with a full size pickup and these new campers that are so tall anyway. https://www.etrailer.com/question-90816.html

[Toolman_GA]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

If you have a 4x4 with good ground clearance then get the E2 2 point vs the 4 point, $280 with the shank, free shipping https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...4-00-1000.html
this is the problem with the E2 but it's not a problem with a full size pickup and these new campers that are so tall anyway. https://www.etrailer.com/question-90816.html

I have the E2 trunnion, not the round bar.. that is what the dealership included. And I do have 4wd on both my old and new TV. I had to flip the shank going from one to the other. I have no data to to back it up, but the trunnion looks to me to be a much more solid setup. And at the end of the day the trailer-to-hitch-to-TV line needs to be level, regardless if 2 or 4wd drive so the ground clearance will be what it is... I do see where the round bar may give a little bit higher clearance. I have never drug mine, even when backing up my inclined driveway with either TV.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

If you have a 4x4 with good ground clearance then get the E2 2 point vs the 4 point, $280 with the shank, free shipping https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...4-00-1000.html
this is the problem with the E2 but it's not a problem with a full size pickup and these new campers that are so tall anyway. https://www.etrailer.com/question-90816.html

The Fastway e2 would be OK for a regular popup (i.e low walls) but if you’re towing a regular TT that acts like a huge kite why would you opt for 2 point sway control rather than 4 point. The only advantage is price. I’d rather opt for the 4 point sway control. That’s half the reason for buying the WDH.

[Hersbird]

I have a regular tall and light camper and the E2 and never experienced any sway whatsoever with the short wheel base Chrysler Aspen even at 75 mph interstates or 65 mph narrow 2 lanes. I don't know how the friction at the 2 additional points at the fulcrum of a 2 1/2 foot lever are going to offer much more resistance than the main friction point of the L brackets present on both designs. I don't see how the bars could attach or detach any easier that the E2 as well. Ground clearance seems to be the main advantage of the 4 point. Like I said, it may be inexpensive but I would choose it's design even if it wasn't.

[Toolman_GA]

I agree with Hersbird. I tow a ~7000lb, 34' vibe 268rks (aka "sail" wand e2 is very stable. To me, the most important thing is to be properly adjusted so there is no fulcrum effect. My neighbor has a 4pt Equalizer hitch with the same TV and trailer length and it works fine, except it is terribly noisy and his DW gets embarrassed when they pull in to a campground at night with the came popping, along with the bars... 😂

[Toolman_GA]

Originally Posted by Toolman_GA

I agree with Hersbird. I tow a ~7000lb, 34' vibe 268rks (aka "sail" wand e2 is very stable. To me, the most important thing is to be properly adjusted so there is no fulcrum effect. My neighbor has a 4pt Equalizer hitch with the same TV and trailer length and it works fine, except it is terribly noisy and his DW gets embarrassed when they pull in to a campground at night with the came popping, along with the bars... 😂

*I meant to type CAMMs popping...