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Steel-on-steel friction works to prevent and correct trailer sway in this unique weight-distribution system. Sway-control brackets ensure that your trailer stays in line with your tow vehicle. Shank sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
| Included w/ EQ90-00-1401 | Required - Sold Separately | Optional Add-Ons |
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Create a more stable ride for your tow vehicle and trailer with a weight-distribution hitch. Adding spring bars to your towing system applies leverage, which transfers the load that is pushing down on the rear of your vehicle to all the axles on both your tow vehicle and your trailer, resulting in an even distribution of weight throughout. The result is a smooth, level ride, as well as the ability to tow the maximum capacity of your hitch.
The tongue weight rating is the most important factor in determining which size weight-distribution system you should use. If the bars of the system you choose are rated too high for your setup, they will create a rigid ride, which can result in a bouncing trailer. If, on the other hand, the bars are not rated high enough, the system will be unable to properly distribute the weight, rendering it virtually useless.
To determine the proper weight rating for a weight-distribution system, you must first determine your trailer's tongue weight. Then add to that the weight of the cargo behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle. These two measurements make up the tongue weight rating for a weight-distribution system.
Head Tilt Adjustment
The Equal-i-zer weight-distribution system uses the traditional washer-style adjustment method to achieve the perfect tilt. Controlling the head tilt helps you to fine-tune the leverage on your entire system, making it easier to install and hook up the spring bars. To adjust the tilt, simply slide washers onto the spacer rivet and insert the rivet into the head assembly. To increase the angle, add a washer. To reduce the angle, remove a washer. Most setups take four to six washers to achieve the proper height. Once you get the desired tilt, insert the shank bolts to secure the head to the shank (sold separately) and then tighten it in place.
Construction of Spring Arms
The Equal-i-zer spring bars are not made of traditional spring steel. Rather, they are constructed of a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel. Chromoly steel has a high tensile strength for extreme durability. It also features excellent dexterity, which allows it to give as required and then return softly back to its original form. This pliability is important in minimizing trailer bounce while still ensuring that the weight of your rig is adequately distributed.
Fixed Sway-Control Brackets
The unique sway-control brackets of the Equal-i-zer are easy to install and simple to use. They clamp onto your trailer frame and conveniently adjust to a position anywhere between 27 inches and 32 inches back from the coupler. These brackets provide the attachment points for the weight-distribution spring bars. To position the spring bars during hookup, simply use the included snap-up lever to lift each bar into place on the L-shaped brackets. Then secure the bars in place with the included L-pins and clips.
The Equal-i-zer weight-distribution system works to stop trailer sway before it begins. This is achieved through the rotational friction that is present in the weight-distribution hitch itself. Within the system head, the downward pressure that is placed on the hitch ball by the trailer is combatted by the upward pressure exerted by the spring bars that are mounted in the sockets. This upward force is placed on the spring bars on either side of the system, creating the rotational friction that, essentially, forces your trailer in line. This type of friction is responsible for two points - one on either side of the trailer - of the 4-Point Sway Control. To ensure that enough tension is present, make certain that the socket bolts in the head assembly are torqued to at least 45 foot-pounds.
The other two points of sway control are created by the steel-on-steel friction that occurs when the spring bars slide within the L-brackets that are mounted on the trailer tongue. Most traditional weight-distribution systems have spring bars that are suspended by chains. Although this ensures that the system is not so rigid as to create bounce in the trailer, it also allows a good deal of side-to-side play in the system. Letting the spring bars hang freely minimizes the rotational friction described earlier. It also eliminates your system's ability to create the type of direct friction that has been shown to be so effective in limiting trailer sway.
This direct friction that is applied to the spring bars in the Equal-i-zer system helps to stop sway once it has begun. The concept is similar to the way in which an add-on friction-sway-control device functions. When each spring bar moves forward or backward, or side to side, it rubs along the bracket, creating friction. The resistance created by this action limits the movement of the spring bar, thus preventing further side-to-side movement of the trailer.
Most add-on units feature some sort of friction material similar to that used in automotive brakes. But the Equal-i-zer uses direct steel-on-steel contact to create resistance. This is the same sort of friction that is used with locomotives that pull loaded railcars weighing tons. No additional materials are needed. The steel will outlast any of those other materials, providing an extremely durable, functional sway-control system.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hello, neighbors and friends, Steve here with etrailer.com. Today, we're talking weight distribution and specifically our Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Four-Points Sway Control without a shank and it's rated at 14,000 pounds and 1,400 pounds tongue weight. So folks, why weight distribution Well, pretty simply, weight distribution will take uneven distributed weight whenever you're squatting down when you're hooked up and it's gonna push everything back level and it's gonna give you better stability, better control, keep your headlights pointed in a safe direction, and it's just gonna be a lot safer ride for both you and the towed vehicle, trailer, camper, whatever. Now, this particular unit has a built-in four-point control system, so you got the bars, you got the brackets, and then whenever you get a ball, that's sold separately, that ball would be your fourth point of sway control. Now, this unit does not use any kind of lift brackets, chains, that kind of stuff, you simply have the L-brackets that go on the side of the trailer frame. They need to be from the center of the ball back between 27 and 32 inches long or back rather.
This guy here, take the clip out, you would have the bar, put the bar in, use the spring bar tool, put in the hole and push up and over the bar into place on that L-bracket. Once you get that L-bracket in place, take the retainer pin, fold it down, and now that square spring bar is in here. Yes, there's movements, designed that way. This powder coat finish in time will probably wear down along with the bottom of your spring bars in that spot. That's perfectly normal.
You want a steel on steel friction point anyways, that's the way it's designed, but just note that everything has been powder coated and dipped and gives you a nice, durable, corrosion-resistant finish. Now, I'm gonna go zoom in here over the head unit. So again, there's no shank included. You have to purchase that separately. And quite frankly, depending on the height of your hitch off the ground, that's gonna determine what kind of a drop or rise you need.
We've got shanks that maybe have a couple inches all the way up to 12 to 15 inches of drop and rise. So just kinda look at your options, what you need, and then pick up the one correctly. So these bolts are just loosely in here. They would come out, your shank would get bolted in place. This guy here, you can see it can pivot forward and back.
That's so that this head unit can pivot. Now, you do have this stack of washers and little head. I'm gonna call it a head bolt. There's no threads or nothing on it. This guy literally- (head bolt clanks) Whoop. This guy literally slides in here with the washers on it and it just gets snugly in place when the shank is behind it, and then you tighten the bolt down, it holds it in at the right angle, it needs to be, and gives you the right angle. Now, the spring bars, they slide into these square retainer boxes and then it's just a standard retainer clip and pin. The pin's through there. I just took one of the clips off to show you better. You can also see that retainer clip back there through that back pin. So again, folks, you wanna pick out a shank that matches the height you need. You can measure that. There's instructions that come with this. Measure everything, make sure you're setting it up correctly when you set it up. A very nice system here, again, rated up to 14,000 pounds max. So determine which size you need of weight distribution. You need to get the weight of your trailer or camper or whatever you're towing. Make sure that the max weight of that is inside the range of this unit. So, and you also at the same time don't wanna go way overboard 'cause remember, it's getting its weight rating from the spring bars themselves. So they make different bars and different strength ratings, so if your trailers maybe only max out of 5,000 pounds, this unit's gonna be way overkill for you. You need to step down to a smaller unit, maybe a 6K or something like that, depending on your personal needs. Well, folks, that will wrap it up for our look at this Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution system. Again, no shank included, no ball included. The ball needs to be an inch and a quarter thick on the diameter, and it can be no longer on the shank of 2 3/8 inches to fit inside that head unit. I'm Steven, thanks for your time. Thanks for watching and stay safe out there while you're towing.
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (777 Customer Reviews)
Steel-on-steel friction works to prevent and correct trailer sway in this unique weight-distribution system. Sway-control brackets ensure that your trailer stays in line with your tow vehicle. Shank sold separately.We buy quite a bit of weight distribution products and trailer balls from ETrailer and I have to give them 5-Stars for the way they are doing business. I always get a return call if my Rep is busy and they follow-up with the emailed invoice, tracking and answer any questions I have. My Rep is Melissa and in the day and age of worsening customer service from most companies I deal with she is a real light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like each of my orders are top priority and that makes calling them back for another order, easy as can be.
The photo below shows the Equalizer Weight Distribution hitch we got from ETrailer behind one of the Trailer Toads we manufacture.
Etrailer.com is the AMAZON of trailer stuff. Simple effective navigation on the website and easy crossover application guides for the products. Almost everytime I order from these guys I get the order confirmation immediately and then I get the process and shipped notification with the tracking numbers just an hour or two later. AMAZING.
Etrailer beat all prices on this Equalizer 4 way weight distribution - sway control. Great service was at no charge.
Excellent product...particularly impressed with etrailer customer service and followup.
Well made, heavy duty, easy to assemble, and install. Only one issue, the sockets that the sway bars go into are virtually immovable. I had to loosen the bolts and beat on them with a rubber mallet to get them to move (they are supposed to move freely). I contacted the manufacturer directly via their customer service, and was informed that there is a 4 trip break-in period and that “eventually” the sockets will move easier. This disclaimer should be noted in the advertisement for this hitch.
First 400 mile tow today, 50% of that way loaded. Performed flawlessly, although I don't think I have it set up 100% yet. Finding a perfectly level spot in MA is an exercise in futility. I did the best I could with the trailer level in my shop on concrete, but the truck hanging out and nose down and to the left a bit. I think I need more tension. Rides real stiff compared to the Reese SC system I was forced to retire early due to parts being NLA (lost a torsion bar on a recent tow - don't know if it broke, or just slipped out - either way, I'm DONE with Reese!). As of right now, the bars feel like they have unequal tension, too. When unloaded, the left bar sits tight to the L-bracket, while the right bar is easily lifted by hand. Could be that my receiver is worn out - she's got some miles on her. Don't think anything is bent anywhere, but who knows. Anyway, these parts are HEAVY, strong, American metal - I have no doubt this thing will outlast that Reese system I had. Now to put in some work to try and get the ride quality back like the old system.
I'm sure it's a good hitch. However the description as well as etrailer chat support told me the hitch ball would come installed and torqued on the shank but that is not true. Now I have to find and pay someone to torque this ball to 450ft lbs or I have to buy more tools.
E trailer had the product and was very quick on the delivery to my home. This 1600 lb Equal-I-zer hitch is well made and I expect it will perform well with towing our 36’ travel trailer. Setting it up was straight forward and I look to taking it out on the road.
The 14k Equalizer has been fantastic for our needs. Our tow vehicle is a 2014 Lincoln Navigator L 4x4 and our travel trailer is 33ft long with a scaled weight around 7500lbs. The payload for our Navigator is 900lbs and tow capacity is 8500lbs. Front gross axle weight restriction (GAWR) is 3700lbs and the rear GAWR is 4250lbs. Scale weight of the Navigator with the whole family in it and a full tank of gas had the front axle at 3420lb and rear axle at 3560lbs. 4250-3560=690lbs of actual payload with the family loaded. Our issue that led us to the 14k Equalizer lies in the Navigator’s independent rear suspension (IRS).
We originally started towing with an Equalizer 10k hitch, but despite my best attempts, I couldn’t get enough weight off the rear axle to get it under the rear GAWR of 4250lbs. Despite maxing out the head angle washers, the best I could get the rear axle to was 4480lbs while keeping the tongue weight (per tongue scale) at 700lbs.
Many reviews say “too much WDH hitch will give you a poor ride due to the spring bars being too heavy duty” and “the weight of a WDH doesn’t factor into your payload calculations”. Let me be the one to tell you after MANY passes over the CAT scales that the weight of your WDH absolutely does factor into your payload weight. As for the spring bars, from what I could gather, an IRS suspension vehicle will squat more than a leaf sprung vehicle, which results in a need for MORE weight distribution than you would expect for a given load.
The Equalizer 14k maxed out at 8 head angle washers gets my load balanced to 3240lbs front axle and 4200lbs rear axle with the trailer axles at 6880lbs. I’m just skidding under the rear axle max by 50lbs and flirting with the 10% total trailer tongue weight, but it works. The 14k Equalizer has served my family and I for a year at this point towing from North Alabama to Washington DC and back anywhere between 70-80mph smooth as silk and zero sway. It has also taken a trip from North Alabama to Tampa and back all the same, smooth and stable. When I first got the unit, I disassembled it, sanded the contact surfaces free of paint, greased the contact points with moly lube and reassembled it. The unit still holds all torque specs each time I check it and operates smoothly and quietly.
All that said, we love and recommend an Equalizer to anyone who needs a WDH for towing. If you have an IRS, you NEED to oversize your WDH far more than you would expect.
I have Torque T333 and the dealer said the 10K hitch would work fine. Which it did for a time. It actually broke most the way off the receiver. When I contacted Equal-i-zer they told me I needed the 14K hitch. I didn't think towing could be much better, but I was wrong. The higher capacity hitch smoothed out the ride even more!
This is the second equalizer hitch I’ve owned, the first was for a smaller camper. Both have performed flawlessly. I think the most important thing is to size the hitch properly for the load, then follow the directions during installation and you won’t have problems. Always torque ball to prevent catastrophic loss of trailer. This happened to me with a uhaul years ago and I can tell you it becomes a handful in a hurry.
Thanks for providing a quality product.
I rate this product "good" to alert potential users to an issue I face during installation of this Equal-i-zer hitch.
As I purchased this hitch, a 2 and 15/16" ball with a 1.25" shank stud and its nut were included. That nut requires a special 1 and 7/8" thin walled socket that slips down into a cavity where the shank stud protrudes and the nut screws on. The instructions state that socket is available at Equal-i-zer dealers. Such a socket WAS NOT AVAILABLE at any automotive parts store, car dealership, nor agricultural supply hardware I contacted in the small California town I was in. The nearest Equalizer dealer to me was over 100 miles distant, and I had planned to leave the day I began installation of the hitch. The instructions also state that a shim can be used if a 2 and 15/16" ball with a 1" shank stud and nut are used. That is the ball I already had on my truck and I was fortunate to find a properly sized shim at an agricultural supply hardware that I cut to length and used in my installation. I still needed a large socket and extension to tighten the nut because the nut was deeply recessed in the cavity. The box end wrench I normally used on the nut was of no avail; however, an automotive repair shop had such a socket and loaned it to me to complete the installation of the hitch. IF you are going to undertake the installation of this hitch yourself, then be aware of the need for either the special Equal-i-zer specified socket for the ball included, OR a 1.25" to 1" shim and a deep well socket for the smaller 1" shank stud and nut such as I used. Contact customer service at Equal-i-zer if you have questions in this regard BEFORE you purchase.
Having alerted you to the installation issue I faced, I now rate the product itself as EXCELLENT in performing the job it is intended to do when towing. Once I had the hitch installed, the instructions for making adjustments so it will perform as intended are clear. Along with the hitch I purchased a Sherline trailer tongue scale and that is an accessory I highly recommend.
I was towing a 2-axle car trailer loaded with a vehicle for a total tow load of 5500 lbs.
Using the tongue scale I adjusted my load so 10% was on the tongue. I was towing cross-country from California to Michigan with a 2010 Tacoma 4 x 4 rated with a 6500 lb towing capacity. I towed at 55-60 mph and had one incident that required immediate, heavy braking and the truck and trailer stopped perfectly, as if the trailer had no been there. So keep in mind, my rating of GOOD was to draw your attention to the installation issue I faced. The PEFORMANCE of the hitch was EXCELLENT.
I received this hitch a few short days after placing my order and as soon as it arrived I unpackaged it to admire the contents. Everything was intact and ready to assemble, just as expected. I also ordered the special thin walled socket, which I am glad I did since my mechanic friend that did my torquing didn't have a socket that would work for this hitch ball. I know it is expensive but I wanted everything done right.
I installed the hitch and set it up following the directions in the manual, and everything turned out perfectly. I think from start to finish it took the wife and I less than an hour and a half. Easy, and according to my measurements and a visual everything looked perfect. None of this is rocket science, and the installation is truly easy.
Well, time to try it out, and what great timing, we left Saturday morning in a 40 MPH headwind for 20 miles, and then another 25 miles with the wind quartering at us on a busy highway. This hitch worked flawlessly! I was tickled with the whole ordeal, and today coming back with no wind at all it wasn't much different than the day we had the wind. You know what wind means, right? WINDY IN ND. Yep, we get our share. This hitch served us very well, and I am extremely pleased with my purchase and the ease of installation and set up. I would order it again in a heartbeat.
My tow vehicle:
2018 GMC Sierra 1500 with max trailer tow package. 6.2 L with 8 speed transmission.
My travel trailer:
2016 Jayco Octane SL, weighs in loaded at 6100 lbs with a hitch weight of 910 lbs.
What can I say...the first time my wife pulled our trailer there was a wreck ahead of us. The tractor trailer next to us was smoking his tires while my wife had to lock up the brakes and our trailer stayed straight behind us.
This unit has made towing a breeze and my wife has no problems getting behind the wheel.
The shank is very well built, so it will hold some weight. I got the extended shank to haul with tailgate down and it works. however, the seat bars are very difficult to get on and off even with the supplied tool. It seems to tighten up after traveling. I've adjusted it 3 times now.
Just received and put together my Equalizer hitch but not set up or used with our new travel trailer yet. The quality of the parts are amazing. I have used other weight equalizing hitches and have 5th wheel hitch systems. This system is heavy duty and a pleasure to put together. Etrailer did a great job on the website describing, illustrating and proving support to make my decision so easy. Thanks Etrailer. Going to pick up new travel trailer today with new hitch system.
I have been using this EQ hitch towing my Bullet crossfire travel trailer with my F-150 for over a year now and it handles great. Tows smooth and without jerking or a rough ride. It took a few times to properly balance it and adjust it properly but what a major improvement from towing without it. I recommend this EQ hitch very much!!
Solid hitch, it should last longer then my RV. Started with recommended settings and only needed one more adjustment. Now with everything loaded and scaled I'm sitting level and have zero sway on the HWY.
i’m not sure what to say, this hitch is pretty much the hitch by which all other hitches are measured. Everybody knows if you want a great hitch. This is the one. It lives up to its reputation. The service at etrailer is fantastic, and their agents are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Excellent quality and straight forward installation. Only issue was obtaining the required torque with standard equipment. It’s heavy but does the job.
I towed my camper over 250 miles with the equalizer hitch. Set up and install was very easy. Very little to no sway at all with passing semi trucks.
Contacted Kate at for assistance with getting an weight distribution hitch. She was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.
Ordered the Equal-I-zer weight dist hitch as a reaplacement for original W/D anti-sway hitch trailer dealer sold me (was getting quite a bit of sway). Relatively easy to install, instructions were very easy to follow, getting a torque wrench (430 ft-lbs) for the ball had been my only concern. Weight distribution was right the first time, truck and trailer sit nice and level. The trailer tracked very well and there was no sway when being passed by large tractor-trailers. Less noise than I expected after reading reviews when researching hitches. Very happy with the hitch and the GREAT service from etrailer. Highly recommend.
Fantastic piece of gear. Super heavy-duty. Made my truck and trailer ride so much smoother, brought the back end of my 3/4 ton truck back up to level, and completely eliminated the the swaying I would get from time to time with my dump trailer. Instruction manual that came with the kit was very detailed and well-written. One minor complaint: it would be nice if the ball came mounted to the hitch assembly because most of us don’t have a torque wrench that goes to 430 feet pounds. Beyond that, an excellent investment.
We've had a long and sordid history with distribution hitches. The failures are always in the same two places: at the hitch where the bars "click in" to the spring pins or at the brackets where the chains hang from. Don't use a chain-style distribution hitch for heavy duty use. This design alleviates both those issues and has been holding up great.
A little noisy but it works awesome and makes towing so much more comfortable. I have a custom trailer that is a little too tongue heavy. This hitch helped me get things leveled out and stable. The etrailer people were very helpful with recommendations for ways to mount the brackets on my trailer frame. No regrets here.
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