E4 vs E2 hitch?

[wirides]

I've done enough reading to determine the e4 seems to be the better hitch but I couldn't find specifically what I would like to know.

So, the e4 comes in a 1000lb model. The trailer we ordered is a surveyor 245bhs the weighs 5204 dry, 626lb hitch weight, and gvwr of somewhere around 7500lbs if my numbers are correct. I don't plan to tow with full tanks. So my question is, would the 1000lb model be TOO much hitch for the trailer?

I understand weighing is preferable but we can't weigh what we don't have and we can't tow without a hitch to being with. Thanks in advance.

[Dave Lyon]

There is lots of reading on hitches within this forum. FWIW I have an Equalizer E2 1,000/10,000 and it works great for my set up. No complaints.

The 1,000 lbs./10,000 lbs is not too much hitch, as the 1,000 lbs refers to tongue weigh and 10,000 refers trailer weight.

You're right in the range of the 1,000/10,000 hitch.

[wirides]

Thanks. I just couldn't find the scenario I'm wondering about. If my understanding and numbers are correct I'd be closer to the 800lb e2 but not sure of that matters.

[W5CI]

The E2 doesn't have any Sway control

[wirides]

Also, what trailer do you have?

[wirides]

Originally Posted by W5CI

The E2 doesn't have any Sway control

That's not correct. It's 2point vs 4.

[W5CI]

Originally Posted by wirides

That's not correct. It's 2point vs 4.

I am referring to the Equalizer brands, the E2 offers minimum sway control ver the E4. they look similar but are entirely different.

[CedarCreekWoody]

You are correct the E-4 offers more sway control, incorrect that the E-2 does not offer any sway control.

I use a 12k E-4 on my current and previous trailer, around 7500 lbs and 5500 lbs respectively. I like being over built but a 10k should serve you well.

[wirides]

That's part of the conundrum, being over built can (apparently) cause frame and other dame to the trailer. If it was as simple as going big, we wouldn't require thus discussion. Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it.

[MillMitch]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

You are correct the E-4 offers more sway control, incorrect that the E-2 does not offer any sway control.

I use a 12k E-4 on my current and previous trailer, around 7500 lbs and 5500 lbs respectively. I like being over built but a 10k should serve you well.

I have been following this with interest because we bought our first TT last Oct and the dealer put in the brake controller and an E2 hitch. I'm curious if anybody knows what the actual resistance difference is between the 2 hitches? Does most of the sway control come from the friction on the L brackets and the compression fitting at the head is incremental? or vice versa? each provides equal amounts of sway control?
I like my E2 hitch and so far (knock on wood) haven't had any sway issues.
thanks

[911Fire]

I’m with ^

I have the e2 also, but if there’s a large improvement for the e4 than I wouldn’t mind watching for one to come up. The E2 performs great, does the compression head do a whole lot more?

[Martsing]

I have the Equiulizer E4 10k and it seems to work fine for our trailer..... that is, once I trashed the set-up the dealer put on it and actually did it correctly.

Marty

[CedarCreekWoody]

I don't really know the answer but I suspect the friction of the control arms sliding on the brackets provides the majority of the control in most installations. There are many variables (metal on metal, metal on plastic pads, lube, angle of slide arms, etc.) I torque the swing arm bolts to 60 lbs but I suspect they supply the lesser amount of control. If your E2 controls your sway I suggest you be happy with that.

[CedarCreekWoody]

PS. I have a 12k E4 because the dealer said that was the best, which i imagine really means it is what they stock. One size fits all, lower inventory, etc. I'm happy with the performance but a lot of engineering knowledge did not go into the dealers recommendation.
And, yes, I had to readjust it a few times to get it right. The dealer's installer just eyeballed it, but at least he did tell me I might need to fine tune it.

[wirides]

Do any of you running the 1000lb E4 have a trailer as light as the 245bhs?

Where I'm stuck is whether I NEED the E4 or if the 800lb E2 is actually better suited for the task?

[rockfordroo]

If you go to Equalizers website, they have a size calculator. Input numbers for your trailer and it tells you which size you need.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with an E2.

[dustman_stx]

I run the 14K 4 point on a TT that weighs just over 4K dry. I have another trailer that weighs mid 9K's loaded (but ~1200 TW) and don't want to have money tied up in 2 hitches. Works great on either one. Not much, if any, spring to any of the Equalizer bars anyway. I upgraded from 205/75-14 tires to the same 225/75-15s that the larger trailer had- partially for them to have the same hitch height for single hitch/setting use as well. With all of this being said, I'd go with the 10K if it were me. They are the most common and tend to actually be the cheapest from what I remember.

[stantyszka]

Originally Posted by W5CI

The E2 doesn't have any Sway control

I have an e2 and tow a 30 foot 6500 lb bunk house. I have never felt comfortable with the e2 and plan on moving to the e4 this year. I should've done it right the first time but I was new to the game and didn't quite know what I was getting into.

[bikendan]

The E2 is not an Equal-i-zer.

The manufacturer, Progress MFG Inc. is in Utah. That's where the 4pt Equal-i-zer is made.

The E2 is under their Fastway line of products. All of those products are manufactured overseas, including the E2.

The 4pt Equal-i-zer is superior to the E2 for heavier and longer trailers.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

If you go to Equalizers website, they have a size calculator. Input numbers for your trailer and it tells you which size you need.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with an E2.

Agree 100%