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Old 09-28-2017, 03:32 PM   #1
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Which WD hitch

Hello,
I'm about to purchase my first Toy Hauler. Decided on a Boost XLR 29QBS. The selling dealer will be installing a WD hitch. They offer either the Equalizer E4 or the Blue Ox. I've been reading tons of info on both of these systems. No bad reviews on either. The Equalizer almost has a cult like following.

I'm leaning towards the Blue Ox because of the higher tongue weight capacity. I'll be towing with a '11 Ford F-250 4x4. It's a single rear wheel lifted short bed. The TH has an advertised hitch weight of 1247 lbs. That's without propane and battery I assume. The E4 hitch is for 1400 lbs, the Blue Ox is for 1500.

Which hitch would suit me better??

Thanks
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Old 09-28-2017, 03:50 PM   #2
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I would say either will work well if set up properly. I like my Equalizer.
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Old 09-28-2017, 05:08 PM   #3
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I Love my equalizer, my buddy loves his blue ox. There is no wrong answer. Price difference?
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Old 09-28-2017, 05:19 PM   #4
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Same price
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Old 09-28-2017, 05:20 PM   #5
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Can you backup without disconnecting the blue ox?
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Old 09-28-2017, 05:32 PM   #6
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Yes. No disconnecting required to back up.
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Old 09-28-2017, 05:38 PM   #7
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Eeniemeenieminiemo?
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Old 09-28-2017, 05:51 PM   #8
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I recently purchased a toy hauler and was looking for hard answers on hitches/loading/etc (didn't really find any). The variable with toy haulers is the added weight in cargo is typically significantly more than a regular travel trailer and this allows considerable differences in hitch weight depending on how you load the garage. Gross trailer weight on mine left over 3000lbs of available cargo...and how I load the garage makes a significant difference in hitch weight. Water tank position in relation to the axle and gas tank if you have that option has an affect also.

I decided a hitch with a built in scale (tells you how much is on the hitch) was the first order of business so I could see exactly how different loads affect hitch weight and towing performance.

My comments won't be popular with some of this crowd but after testing in some pretty good cross winds at freeway speed I decided to stay with what I have and focus on loading properly...the scale on the hitch helps do this.

Good luck with your decision.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:43 PM   #9
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I agonized on both. I looked at details and both had features I wanted. I will say the only people more adament about their hitch than equilizer are the Hensley folks so they have to be good right.

I ended up with blueox for a few reasons.

I liked that there were fewer parts to lose. It's dumb but valid for me. I lost 3 hitch pins. I keep finding them but never the one I want when looking.
There were no washer adjustments. With blueox you just jack it up further to set the angle. You would have to do this on the others as well anyway so fewer adjustments needed.
No noise when driving. I cannot tell you if equalizer makes noise or not but it is friction based so that was a factor.
Blueox sold me on the sway prevent (not eliminate like Hensley). I could not find that on the equalizer and not sure how it would work on a friction system so maybe someone who has one can speak up.

Not all roses either. The blueox tool to put chains on sucks. Get a 2-3 ft breaker bar and socket.
At an angle blueox is more difficult to remove. Not an issue while camping but storage is parallel park job. Jack it up all the way and still makes lots of noise and jerks.
As far as the scale I have a shirline scale to weigh. The hitches with scales built in seem to not fit the WDH adaptors and my truck requires the wdh.

I am happy with the blueox and would buy it again. For the price it has more than met my expectations.

Fyi - With your advertised tongue weights you may want to look at the 2k bars instead of 1500. May want to see how much you load it up first because toy haulers seem to shift weight a lot depending on where and what toys you load.
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Old 09-28-2017, 06:53 PM   #10
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With an "advertised" hitch weight of 1275 you will go over 1500lbs in no time. I spoke to Blue Ox personally and they told me that if your tongue weight is higher than the bars are rated for then you will lose the anti sway benefit. I initially bought the 1500lb kit but have upgraded to the 2k bars. My measured tongue weight 1375lbs, minus water, food and clothing.

I would say go with the 2k bars. But just know that the 2k kit comes with a 2 1/2" shank to fit a class V hitch. If you need a 2" shank then you have to call them to order it.
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:15 PM   #11
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I'm thinking the 1500 bars will be good for me. The 1247 tongue weight is without anything in the garage. My side by side has a weight of around 15-1600 lbs. so adding that to the rear of the trailer and 30 gals of fuel in the on board fuel tank behind the axle should really lighten the tongue weight. Towing it without the toy in it will be fairly rare and probably for short distances so I'm thinking the Blue Ox with the 1500 lb bars will work for me. I can always upgrade if needed right?
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:19 PM   #12
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The bars are interchangeable. But they are over 300 bucks for the 2k.
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Old 09-29-2017, 09:09 AM   #13
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I have the Blue ox and love it. Simple set up. When it comes to hook up and go you can’t beat it. In about 5 minuets you are set. My In laws have the equalizer and they love it and I have towed with it also. Takes a little longer to set up but once you get it dialed in its all good. When it’s time to hook up to go it’s a little longer process but not by much. Instead of chains you have bars. Can’t go wrong with either one!

The main reason I chose the Blue ox was for the ease of the initial set up. No washers for the head and also for my wife I thought it would be a easier hitch to hook up if needed.

I would say the one downfall to the Blue ox is how they do the weight rating for the bars. Most do a rating like 300-600 lbs. where Blue ox has theirs rated at 350-550 lbs then the next set would be from 550-750 and so on. Really not a downfall but just something to consider when you are trying to figure out what rating to get for your bars.

Good luck [emoji106]
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Old 09-29-2017, 09:15 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Macrosill View Post
The bars are interchangeable. But they are over 300 bucks for the 2k.


Which bars are you referring to the Blue ox or equalizer? The Blue ox bars on E Trailer are only $230.00 for the 2000 lbs bars.

Not sure about the equalizer if you can buy bars separate I never have looked into it.
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Old 09-29-2017, 09:56 AM   #15
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I'm going with the Blue Ox unit. I believe with the 1500 lb bars. But I'm going to discuss with my dealer before I purchase
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Old 09-29-2017, 11:27 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeEater829 View Post
I'm going with the Blue Ox unit. I believe with the 1500 lb bars. But I'm going to discuss with my dealer before I purchase


Before I bought mine I called blue ox just to ask what they thought about my set up. I have a much smaller TT than you do but the same will apply to you. Make sure you have the weight of the TT when loaded. Make sure tongue weight is 10-15%. If you start to get up close to 1500 lbs tongue weight and you are only at 9-10% you may want to go up to the 2000 lbs bars. They told me if I got to light of bars I would not have proper weight distribution and possibly some sway issues. To stiff of bars and you will have a pretty bouncy ride and possibly sway issues.

In short make sure you have actual weights on the TT before you buy. Hopefully I didn’t confuse you to much but this is what they told me before I bought. I was kind of in the same situation you are now.

Tim
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Old 09-29-2017, 11:59 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mopwr4me2003 View Post
Which bars are you referring to the Blue ox or equalizer? The Blue ox bars on E Trailer are only $230.00 for the 2000 lbs bars.

Not sure about the equalizer if you can buy bars separate I never have looked into it.
I was referring to the Blue Ox.
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Old 09-29-2017, 12:33 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by SilverArrowPro View Post
Eeniemeenieminiemo?
X10 ! really won't go wrong...either way. Had both...loved both. EQ was about a minute faster to hook up, but that's it.
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Old 10-02-2017, 10:29 AM   #19
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1247 dry TW on a standard TT is what has people worried about your loaded TW skyrocketing. But as BigH mentioned from experience, you will have significantly more weight in the back (toys) than those without a toy hauler. That's offsets dry TW bigtime.


11,400 GVWR * 12% = 1368 lbs. So you can keep TW under the rating for either of these hitches. However, I don't like being too close to any WDH's rating. Being to close is a recipe for bouncing or "porpoising", so I like to stay 100 lbs under. Keeping to 1300 lbs would mean 11.4% (still OK), or limiting your gross weight.


So, Blue Ox having the higher limit is more flexible, but again, either hitch can handle that trailer.


The other perspective, is whether you would ever use this camper, without toys in the back. With options and your gear, you would probably be at around 1000 lbs over dry, or 9100 lbs. You might have to put some cargo in the rear, that is normally in front, in order to prevent overloading the TW. Here again, the Blue Ox 1500 rating would mean you don't have to worry about it so much. But again, I think either will do the job.


Pick the hitch you like most. I like my Equalizer. Never tried the Blue Ox. As stated, most people love what they get.
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