Reese Dual Cam vs Equal-i-zer

[ResQMoore]

I have seen a lot of posts about "Which WDH do I buy?" and questions about the Reese Dual Cam and the Equal-i-zer. After towing two very similar equipped trailers with the same tow vehicle on the same highways and roadways I can say that my recommendation is Equal-i-zer. I dont have the exact weight specs, but I will use my best estimate.

Tow Vehicle Specs:
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4
Extended Cab Standard Bed
5.3L V8, 3.73 G80 rear end, Z85 suspension and tow package
Reese Brakeman Compact
Rolling Tonneau Cover (truxedo lopro QT)

Tow Vehicle Load:
3 Persons
equipment in cab (iPads, cameras, and other personal items)
camping equipment in bed

Weather- Similar- Sunny hot days

Traffic- Moderate

Highway- Interstate 89N/S

Trailer One:
2012 Forest River Rockwood Roo 21SS
Loaded with gear, clothing, food, etc
Reese Dual Cam WDH

Trailer Two:
2012 Keystone Passport Superlite 235EXP
Loaded with gear, clothing, food, etc
Equal-i-zer


Setup/Takedown- Advantage Equal-i-zer. While the Reese Dual Cam isn't that difficult to setup/takedown, hooking up the chain links is a lot more difficult than moving the Equal-i-zers bars into place.

Forward Travel- Advantage Equal-i-zer. I found the loud bangs of the Dual Cam system popping in and out to be very annoying and distracting. I hear slight creaking with the Equal-i-zer, but very nice overall. I always feel like something is going to break because of the sound the Dual Cam makes.

Rearward Travel- Advantage Equal-i-zer. I felt that the equal-i-zer was a lot easier to back the trailer up as the trailer felt more responsive to my actions. The Reese Dual Cam wasn't bad either.

Sway Control- Advantage Neither. Both WDH systems easily control the trailer in crosswinds, passing TT Units, lane changes, etc.

Turning- Advantage Dual Cam. When the cams would Pop Out the trailer easily turned and returned with another pop to straight and controlled forward travel. The Equal-i-zer came was also very controlled in turning but the Dual Cam was better with the tighter turns.

Cost- Advantage Dual Cam. The Dual Cam was about $550 installed if I remember correctly and the Equal-i-zer was $750

Overall advantage Equal-i-zer- I like the hitch setup, I like the way it rides, and most of all I like the quietness.

Once again all of this is just my opinion, no exact science- but I hope you find this helpful in searching for the WDH that suits your needs just as I had looked prior.

[MtnGuy]

Good report.

[bikendan]

"Cost- Advantage Dual Cam. The Dual Cam was about $550 installed if I remember correctly and the Equal-i-zer was $750"

not sure where you got your prices but RVW has the Equalizer for $440 with free shipping. maybe you live in Canada so can't comment on those prices.

[ResQMoore]

Originally Posted by bikendan

"Cost- Advantage Dual Cam. The Dual Cam was about $550 installed if I remember correctly and the Equal-i-zer was $750"

not sure where you got your prices but RVW has the Equalizer for $440 with free shipping. maybe you live in Canada so can't comment on those prices.

I'm From NH- I know I paid probably more than I should have for the Equal-i-zer in Burlington, VT but they threw a lot of things into the deal so it balanced out.

[Triguy]

Thanks for the report!

Your price on the Equal-I-zer is not out of the ordinary. As you said, it evens out.

Bikendan's correct that it can be much less from RVW with a DIY installation but that will require some help from a friendly dealer or local garage or some extra bucks for a thin walled socket and a really big torque wrench.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by ResQMoore

I'm From NH- I know I paid probably more than I should have for the Equal-i-zer in Burlington, VT but they threw a lot of things into the deal so it balanced out.

they had to have thrown in a lot to make up for $300 more.

i bought my Equalizer from RVW when they cost $399 and my Roo dealer installed it for free, even though they only sold Reese.

[troyt]

Very nice report on Equal-i-zer. I have be come a fan. I still think they are a bit noisy though. DW thinks the TT is falling apart when we roll into the neighborhood or campground.

[ResQMoore]

Originally Posted by bikendan

they had to have thrown in a lot to make up for $300 more.

i bought my Equalizer from RVW when they cost $399 and my Roo dealer installed it for free, even though they only sold Reese.

Yeah in addition to the great price they offered, they rushed us to the front of the line so we could get our trailer the next business day (they were closed on the 4th) and the service was well worth it.