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10-04-2019, 03:52 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: exeter
Posts: 18
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WD hitch chain versus friction bars
Picking up an new 2020 2521 Passport GT on Wednesday. will behaving a new hitch put on. Either an Eaz Lift or a Blue OX. Don;t have the models numbers yet, My question n general which brand is better? Are chains better than friction bars?
thanks
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10-04-2019, 05:08 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,686
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IMO...Equalizer, although I think there are some that like the Blue Ox - but then again, just read a post today (yesterday?) from a member that had a Blue Ox then tried the Equalizer (friction) and liked it.
Chains vs friction? I've had both and I've not found a "chain" wdh/SWAY control that works better than the Equalizer. Of course that's JMO/YMMV.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-04-2019, 05:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
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We have the Husky Centerline which is supposed to be based on the equal-izer. It has spring loaded pistons for the anti-sway function.
What I like about it is, it is quick and simple to hook up. With the chain bars, as I understand it, you have to have separate anti-sway devices (eg friction bars). That means two things to connect when you're hooking up.
The Husky is not a friction setup, the pistons in the hitch do the anti-sway function, while the leverage on the bars does the WD function.
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10-04-2019, 05:51 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Posts: 1,431
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Equalizer 4 point, the best.
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2022.Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 DRW
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10-04-2019, 06:00 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hurley
Posts: 350
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Buy once and be done. I have two in the shed before I finally got one that works like I hoped it would. I don`t experiment anymore.
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Kenny & Susan
2017 Passport 2670bh
2017 F250 6.2 4wd
Equalizer 4 pt.
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10-05-2019, 07:14 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Monroeville
Posts: 1,549
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The hitches with the chains are only going to have a 2 pt sway control, the friction bars are (likely) going to have a 4 pt sway. 4 pt sway is almost always going to give you more stability and less sway than a 2 pt system. So you can probably see where I am going with this.
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2014 Bullet Premier 29bh in Charocal
2019 Ram 2500 HD 4x4, CC, 6.4L
2011 Passport 2510RB (Sold)
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10-06-2019, 02:11 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Wells County, Indiana
Posts: 112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Retired Copper
Buy once and be done. I have two in the shed before I finally got one that works like I hoped it would. I don`t experiment anymore.
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Which one did you end up with ?
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10-06-2019, 03:38 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hurley
Posts: 350
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Equalizer WDH with 4 point sway control. It is creaks and moans at low speed but gets better after it gets broken in and greased like recommend. After the first pull with this hitch I knew I had found the tow I was looking for.
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10-06-2019, 06:36 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Or
Posts: 172
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Blue Ox user here.
If you look at how the chains are hooked up you'll see that they're in reverse of each other. One chain wraps around the bracket clockwise, the other counter clock wise. So that creates a push/pull affect.
I've used both and both have pros and cons.
The EQ is messy and noisy.
The BO is quiet but unhitching can be a wild event.
I used an EQ for 2.5 years and at the end hated it. Got tired of the grease and the mess.
The Blue Ox is clean and quiet and although I didn't tow the same TT with both WDH's I find the BO to be very competent with my current TT (31'-9500#)
Having the proper tow vehicle is as important as proper WDH setup.
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10-06-2019, 06:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,157
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We use an Eaz-Lift Trekker. Once I did a complete do-over of the installation after the dealer screwed it up, it has been great for our truck/trailer combination. Our previous set-up with different truck/trailer used a Reese Dual Cam system and that worked great for that combo.
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Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (current)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (on order, originally due late April, then pushed to early May, now pushed to early June)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab FX4
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10-06-2019, 09:18 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Avon
Posts: 60
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I've got the Equalizer 4 point as well. The best for my $. I've got it adjusted where the front axle is same with and without the trailer, rear axle only deflects 1/4". As was stated they are a little messy but I just keep 2 pairs work gloves in the back of the TV - one for me and one for DW - makes hookup and disconnect much quicker.
Like Retired Copper said they do groan and pop at low speed. I'm always a little embarrassed going through a campground - sounds like something is ripping apart - till I realize no one in the campground gives you a second glance - they know.
Real stabile on the highway, the rig stays level and straight, very little buffeting. I also like being able to back up with it engaged.
Just my $.02
Gary
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Gary & Judy
and of course the 2 shelties
2018 Cougar Half-Ton 22RBS
2017 F-250 6.2L
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10-06-2019, 09:18 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: NE. Iowa
Posts: 230
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I like my EQ. Towed two different trailers with it. Once set up properly, it does a great job. I did buy the teflon pads that eliminate most of the creaking and I've not found any reduction of sway control. It does require maintenance, but so does everything.
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Mike
2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 / 5.7 Hemi / 3.92 axles
2020 Bullet 291RLS
1-wife / 1-dog / 2-kids
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10-06-2019, 12:49 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 08quadram
I like my EQ. Towed two different trailers with it. Once set up properly, it does a great job. I did buy the teflon pads that eliminate most of the creaking and I've not found any reduction of sway control. It does require maintenance, but so does everything.
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Ditto on the teflon pads. They do make a difference on the squeaking (less).
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2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
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10-06-2019, 01:01 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Markham, Ontario
Posts: 1,942
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Blue Ox user here. I use the 1500 model for my trailer.
Once you learn how to raise the ball and hitch before attaching and removing arms, piece of cake. Not saying its the best, it's the one I bought and have no reason to replace it. Trailer tows very well
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Dan & Serena
2019 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD SLE
2015 Cougar X-Lite 29 RET
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10-06-2019, 03:57 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: exeter
Posts: 18
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Thanks for all the advice. Did not pick yet. Will talk with dealer tomorrow. I will post on Wednesday when i pick it up.
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10-06-2019, 06:40 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,686
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loum35
Thanks for all the advice. Did not pick yet. Will talk with dealer tomorrow. I will post on Wednesday when i pick it up.
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Just remember of all the things you can skimp on.....the WDH/sway isn't it.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-07-2019, 07:09 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Okanagan, BC
Posts: 916
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I have a 4pt I bought used. The pads make a world of difference for the noise, but it can still make noise in the campground.
The one thing I don't like about the 4pt that (I think) the BO is better at is it is harder to change the bar position for different loads, say with and without water.
__________________
2010 Cougar 30RKS
2015 GMC Sierra Max Trailer
"Drinks for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2"
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10-07-2019, 07:14 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 338
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10-07-2019, 08:27 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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Another Equalizer 4point user here and I highly recommend it. It doesn’t make any noise if it is greased properly.
__________________
Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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10-08-2019, 05:19 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Dandridge TN
Posts: 260
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The chain type snap latches can be very hazardous if you don't take off enough pressure from the WD bars. On some sites it could be at an angle enough to not be able to do this, I have seen it happen. When there is a lot of tension on those chains that snap latch can be like a slingshot when it lets loose. Be sure your feet are clear of the pipe handle that will be shot out of your hands. I have witnessed this so it can happen. I had one and then got the Equal-izer 4 point and like it MUCH better.
Make sure you get one with the proper rated WD bars. I had the dealer sell me one that was not enough for the tongue weight. My trailer is a 10k gvwr with a 1280 tongue weight and they set me up with a 1000/10,000 hitch. After a year of using it and not feeling it was adequate I bought the 1400/14,000 hitch and it is night and day in how well the new stronger hitch performs. Find out the tongue weight and go a couple hundred pounds more on the hitch rating.
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