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Old 09-24-2015, 08:50 PM   #1
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Recommendation on hitch

Would like a recommendation on a hitch that has weight distribution and sway control. Would the equalizer sway bars mount well on the short A frame of trailer. I have a 183. Thank you.
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Old 09-25-2015, 01:42 AM   #2
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For the 183, the cheaper E2 would be fine.
But the 4 point Equal-i-zer would also fit, if that's what you want.
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Old 09-25-2015, 05:02 AM   #3
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LOVE my 4 point equalizer.
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Old 09-25-2015, 05:14 PM   #4
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Another vote for the 4 point Equalizer.
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Old 09-25-2015, 06:44 PM   #5
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I've got the Andersen WDH and love it.
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Old 09-25-2015, 06:50 PM   #6
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I know I'm going to get a lot of backlash..but, do you really need sway for your trailer? What's your tow vehicle? Have you towed it yet?
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Old 09-25-2015, 08:19 PM   #7
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I know I'm going to get a lot of backlash..but, do you really need sway for your trailer? What's your tow vehicle? Have you towed it yet?
2013 chevy tahoe
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Old 09-25-2015, 09:30 PM   #8
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Have you pulled it yet? Don't want to get into an "I this" or "I that" but that is a full framed vehicle pulling 20 ft under 5k. You may not need sway control.
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Old 09-25-2015, 09:55 PM   #9
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I have a 183 and an Equalizer hitch. I tow with a Ford Explorer. I have fought with the hitch, due to the newness and it being very stiff. But in the end, it tows beautifully. I tried to see if there was an easier hitch for me to handle, but I think I'm getting better with the hitch, and it's probably the best one anyway.


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Old 09-26-2015, 05:46 AM   #10
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Have you pulled it yet? Don't want to get into an "I this" or "I that" but that is a full framed vehicle pulling 20 ft under 5k. You may not need sway control.
Unfortunately my tahoe has the lower gear ratio. Max towing 5200lbs
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Old 09-26-2015, 09:55 AM   #11
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Quote:
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Would like a recommendation on a hitch that has weight distribution and sway control. Would the equalizer sway bars mount well on the short A frame of trailer. I have a 183. Thank you.
might as well ask which is a better TV, Ford, Chevy or Fiat.. er.. Ram.


There are many good hitch setups that work great. The only difference is personal preference. I myself am rather fond of my Reece dual-cam setup.

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Old 09-26-2015, 10:01 AM   #12
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I know many here like their Equal-i-zer hitches and I really liked my Reese Straight Line Dual Cam -- both are great hitches. However, my newest hitch is the Husky Centerline TS and I think it is the best yet. It is a fairly new product, so there's not much to read as far as reviews, but I will vouch for it as a great, inexpensive weight distribution and sway control system. It's really worth a look.

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Old 09-26-2015, 10:28 AM   #13
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I have towed about 6K miles on my 2014 183 Shamrock with a Harbor Freight WDH... out the door price about $200 with their coupon... they only sell one so just look it up on their site. I think it lists for $249 but is frequently on sale for $199.

You need to add a 2 5/16 hitch ball to the HF setup... HF does not sell that size.

Works great... have yet to have a sway issue with this setup. Hitch good for up to 10,000#.

You see my setup in my pic below...
I did add Airlift airbags because of my long overhang on my van.
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Old 09-26-2015, 11:53 PM   #14
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Unfortunately my tahoe has the lower gear ratio. Max towing 5200lbs
So you definitely need WD but may not need sway. So, even Harbor Freight sells wd hitches that are good up to 10k. And, if you need a little sway help, you can add a Reese friction bar to it. Now, some day you may choose to go with a bigger camper, so, an Equalizer can grow with you. Is it worth it now?
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Old 09-27-2015, 09:05 PM   #15
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So you definitely need WD but may not need sway. So, even Harbor Freight sells wd hitches that are good up to 10k. And, if you need a little sway help, you can add a Reese friction bar to it. Now, some day you may choose to go with a bigger camper, so, an Equalizer can grow with you. Is it worth it now?
Don't think I'll go any bigger anytime soon.
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Old 09-27-2015, 09:07 PM   #16
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I was told that the tahoe needs a 5 " drop. Will that option come new hitch set up?
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Old 09-28-2015, 01:33 PM   #17
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We returned yesterday from a 5,000 trip to the Rockies with our Roo 21SS. Our Husky Centerline TS hitch performed flawlessly, imo. We took a side shot from a big wind on I-80 Wyoming that knocked everyone two feet sideways. The trailer recovered with no sway whatsoever. I was impressed.
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Old 09-28-2015, 04:33 PM   #18
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Summer2go - You say you fought with your hitch - I somehow didn't get the message on how to use the tongue jack to pre-load the hitch when hooking up the chains on the equalizer bars, once I learned this things went so much better. I'll try to briefly sumarize, just in case this helps anyone.

Lower your trailer hitch onto the ball on your TV until it locks easily in place. You may need to "rock" the TV a little to get it to latch in. I install a regular lock onto the hitch at this point, or put one of those keeper bars thru the hitch handle. Now the trick -

Raise the tongue of the trailer again with the tongue jack (you will be raising the back of your tow vehicle as well). It's great at this point to have an electric tongue jack. Raise the tongue until it is above the level that you will tow - then attach the chains from the equalizing bars to to the tongue and lock them in place. Have the tongue high enough so that the chains go on easliy - THEN retract your tongue jack all the way to the stowed position. This will apply the torque to the bars and you haven't struggled with it at all!

I hope this helps someone out there, I write operating procedures for a living haha
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Old 09-28-2015, 05:47 PM   #19
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I sprained a finger trying to get the bars out of the hitch the first time. I had done everything right, raising the tongue jack. I went to my local trailer place (not RV), and one of their gentlemen worked the hitch for me so I could watch. If I raise the tongue jack enough that the bars are in the air, they are high enough to come out. I have to squirt WD-40 in the hinge to help it swing out and release the bars. I use a rubber mallet and leather gloves to work the hitch now. I was told it would be less stiff after a while. I don't have the strength to pull the bars out, and was having to call on some of the young male campers with me. I couldn't even get on the road before, unless someone helped me. I think I can do it alone now.


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Old 09-28-2015, 05:50 PM   #20
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Oh and I have safety towing chains, not chains on my equalizer hitch. Do we not have the same hitch?


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