Ok so here's what pondered for the last 5 hours driving/towing my new toy hauler home...


I need to do something to get things a wee bit under control. The trip wasn't bad at all but figure if I loaded it just right I'd be holding on for dear life on the next towing trip.


So I'm wondering which setup to go with...

setup one - Equal-i-zer hitch (they have weight distribution (WD) and sway together) Equal-i-zer hitch. (http://www.equalizerhitch.com/home.html)


setup two - a Reese WD hitch with dual cam sway control- Reese Sway Trunnion WD hitch. (http://www.rvstuffusa.com/dualcamswaycontrolbyreese.html)

setup three- rear air bags
and Friction Sway Control unit. (http://www.rvstuffusa.com/swaycontrolbydrawtite.html)


each have pro's and con's I just really need to figure something out before I take the trailer back out. It's not to bad but if I load it just right I'm asking for trouble. She towed really good up and back with slight sway now and then and with the full water going up I could feel the weight on the tung though the bounces. Coming home all empty it wasn't as bad. I only need the WD for the bounces it seems. Truck doesn't sag much with the trailer on it.

any thoughts I'd be happy to hear.

cmc

Remember that weight distrobution transfers weight to the front tires which aids steering. This is a reason it would be better than air bags. Another nice thing is once you remove the trailer, your ride is imediately back to normal. I have to remember to let the air out of my airbags after towing.


After the wd you may not need the sway control. I have never used that stuff.

The Equal-i-zer brand hitch is excellent. I have no sway issues at all using it. I don't have personal experience with the Reese Dual Cam or Straitline hitches, but they have a good reputation as well. Many who have tried integral WD and sway control hitches, such as Equal-i-zer and Reese prefer them to the WD hitches with add-on friction controls. Airbags are not really an alternative to WD hitches. They level the ride, but do nothing to distribute the trailer's tongue weight among all four TV wheels. If you have serious sway issues that are beyond the Equal-i-zer or Reese, though it doesn't sound like it, for a good deal more money, you can get either a Pullrite (pretty expensive) or a Hensley (hugely expensive) hitch that will solve your problems.

TC

<font size="2">Ok so here's what pondered for the last 5 hours driving/towing my new toy hauler home... </font>


<font size="2">I need to do something to get things a wee bit under control. The trip wasn't bad at all but figure if I loaded it just right I'd be holding on for dear life on the next towing trip.</font>


<font size="2">So I'm wondering which setup to go with...

setup one - Equal-i-zer hitch (they have weight distribution (WD) and sway together) </font><font size="2">Equal-i-zer hitch.</font> (http://www.equalizerhitch.com/home.html)<font size="2">


setup two - a Reese WD hitch with dual cam sway control- </font><font size="2">Reese Sway Trunnion WD hitch.</font> (http://www.rvstuffusa.com/dualcamswaycontrolbyreese.html)<font size="2">

setup three- rear air bags
and </font><font size="2">Friction Sway Control unit.</font> (http://www.rvstuffusa.com/swaycontrolbydrawtite.html)<font size="2">


each have pro's and con's I just really need to figure something out before I take the trailer back out. It's not to bad but if I load it just right I'm asking for trouble. She towed really good up and back with slight sway now and then and with the full water going up I could feel the weight on the tung though the bounces. Coming home all empty it wasn't as bad. I only need the WD for the bounces it seems. Truck doesn't sag much with the trailer on it.

any thoughts I'd be happy to hear.

cmc</font>


What kind of tow vehical are you using?

What type of tow vehicle are you using and what is the size/weight of the toy hauler.


Reese dual cam would be a good choice (I own and use); Hensley Arrow would eliminate all sway (I own and use); Equalizer is also a good choice (friend has and likes).

whoops should have put that in there....


Tow Vehicle= 2004 GMC 2500HD CC SB 4wd D/A (285's with bars turned up a bit...all else being stock.)


Trailer= 2004 Carson FD20. 20ft Toy Hauler, 550lb/4300lb dry. (weight is off their web site) I don't haul much more than a travel trailer. No toys (at this time the yellow lab duck dog is my toy)


At the moment I'm leaning for a Reese dual cam Straght-line... local shop has it for $524 (I install it)


thanks guys,


cmc

whoops should have put that in there....


Tow Vehicle= 2004 GMC 2500HD CC SB 4wd D/A (285's with bars turned up a bit...all else being stock.)


Trailer= 2004 Carson FD20. 20ft Toy Hauler, 550lb/4300lb dry. (weight is off their web site) I don't haul much more than a travel trailer. No toys (at this time the yellow lab duck dog is my toy)


At the moment I'm leaning for a Reese dual cam Straght-line... local shop has it for $524 (I install it)


thanks guys,


cmc




You should be able to pull that fine stablity wise with that truck if load is ballanced correct (about 15% on hitch when loaded) and rear tires at near max pressure. I have a friend that hauls a heavier enclosed trailer every day with a 1 ton chevy van with not stabilty issues at all to speak of.

CMC,


The Reese or Equal-i-zer will work just fine for you.


I have used all of the ones you asked about. I am currently using an Equal-i-zer for my TT.


If you haven't bought a hitch yet, you can get an Equal-i-zer at RV Wholesalers for $399 shipped to you (easy self install). Their website is http://rvwholesalers.com


Good luck with whichever unit you decide to use.


JoeEdited by: Joe Pool

That should be no problem, but I would lean towards the the dual cam but that's only my opinion based on alot of use of the system.

GMC-GMC;How high is your hitch set? You shouldn't have a problem with that size of trailer.
I used the Reese dual cam system when I had a travel trailer. Difference was great. Deliberatly tried to get trailer swaying, and really couldn't. Can be dificult to unhook, if truck/trailer is not straight. I would use tongue jack to take weight, and remove hitch from receiver.Edited by: Max Owner

GMC-GMC;How high is your hitch set? You shouldn't have a problem with that size of trailer.
I used the Reese dual cam system when I had a travel trailer. Difference was great. Deliberatly tried to get trailer swaying, and really couldn't. Can be dificult to unhook, it truck/trailer is not straight. I would use tongue jack to take weight, and remove hitch from receiver.

Ditto what Max Owner said. I have the Reese Dual Cams and they work great with a 25' RV.

Both of the hitches you mentioned work well. I had the Reese dual cam system for years, and its nice. Generally, the higher the hitch weight, the better it works. I now have a Hensley, and its really nice. It takes all the sway out, and is much easier for us to hitch up. Whatever you use, its best to get things set up at a local truck scale. Its the only true way to ensure you are properly transferring weight to the front axle of the truck and trailer axles.


You mentioned hauling water. I always tow dry, and fill when we get to the destination.

I was pulling a 35' enclosed (bumper pull), wieghs 14k. I was pulling it with a SRW F350, w/o wieght distribution. The "tail' was waggin' the dog" if you know what i mean. I installed the equilizer hitch/distribution setup, real happy with it, although i opted to get just a wieght ditribution setup. It eliminated waht sway problem i was having.


I am now pulling the trailer with an 04' Dmax DRW and have not had any problem with either set ups. I like the solid distribution bars and set up that equilizer uses. Good luck

Here is my TV and TT... I'm going to go with the Reese and thank all for the advice and info. Very helpful as always. cmc





http://www.cmccotter.org/pictures/2004_bowhappen/camp.jpg

From the size/length/weight of your trailer you likely have a fairly short distance from the hitch to the axles. The shorter the distance between the 2 the more side to side movement. If you've been passed by a semi or bus you likely know what I"m talking about. The sway control is likely to give you the best results. A reputable RV service tech should be able to set you up properly. Enjoy, and stay safe!

Hey gang thought I fill ya in on my progress. I bought a Reese Dual Cam HP and it's sweet. The truck actually drives better with the trailer than without. Love the set up. Easy to hitch up and go. Best $400 I've ever spent...


cmc

May want to put some petrolium jelly on the pivot points, and cams. Takes away alot of the creaking and groaning. Grease is too messy. Than take a paper towel and wife off later.

May want to put some petrolium jelly on the pivot points, and cams. Takes away alot of the creaking and groaning. Grease is too messy. Than take a paper towel and wife off later.


So, was that wife thing a Freudian slip on what? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Remember, a VERY light film of Petrolium Jelly. If you put too much on, the cams will not work correctly.


The Reese Strait-Line hitch is the one I use. Excellent choice for the money.

[QUOTE=Max Owner]May want to put some petrolium jelly on the pivot points, and cams. Takes away alot of the creaking and groaning. Grease is too messy. Than take a paper towel and wife off later.


So, was that wife thing a Freudian slip on what? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Well......um........ah....ah heck!

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

whoops should have put that in there....


Tow Vehicle= 2004 GMC 2500HD CC SB 4wd D/A (285's with bars turned up a bit...all else being stock.)


Trailer= 2004 Carson FD20. 20ft Toy Hauler, 550lb/4300lb dry. (weight is off their web site) I don't haul much more than a travel trailer. No toys (at this time the yellow lab duck dog is my toy)


At the moment I'm leaning for a Reese dual cam Straght-line... local shop has it for $524 (I install it)


thanks guys,


cmc


I have the reese set up &amp; love it. TT is 31' @ 7400lbs, truck in sig

No like bumper pull TT's, especially with CCLB, too much leverage working on the hitch, went to gooseneck and not going back(use gooseneck adapter on 5th whl TT, saves buying another hitch) speaking of which.... got destroyed by hurricane Frances and one large oak tree, least it wasn't the house or truck. Waiting on Ivan now, just got power back tonight after 5 days, can't wait to have more cold showers and hot nights w/o ac

You might get the reese weight distributing hitch and try it before purchasing the dual cam sway control (dcsc). I origionally was thinking the same as you with my 10,000 lb Komfort trailer. The trailer salesman told met to try it out without dcsc before buying the extra item. That was a year ago and I never did put the dcsc system on (didn't need it). A 4500 to 5000 lb trailer should feel like nothing is there with the truck you have.