By: Amber S.

Read time: 10 minutes

Updated: Oct 31, 2022

Best Weight Distribution Hitches for a Buttery Smooth Ride

(According to Science)

Best of the Best

ProPride 3P

Smoothest Ride Under $1k

Blue Ox SwayPro

The OG/Most Trusted Brand

Equal-i-zer

Best Budget Option

CURT TruTrack

When it comes to safe trailer towing, weight distribution is one of the most important tools in your arsenal, but you already knew that.

What you don't know (and what we set about finding out) is what the BEST weight distribution hitches are. Let's face it—there are a lot of options out there, and you probably don’t have the time or cash to test each one. And as we all learned from our fifth grade science fairs, every solid conclusion must be supported by thorough testing. So that's why we spent the time and cash to do the testing for you!

Specifically, one of our resident experts, Ellen, made it her month-long mission to test our most popular weight distribution systems to see how they all stack up. Is the $3k ProPride worth its cost? Which hitch will provide the sway-less, buttery smooth ride of your dreams? And most importantly, which hitch is right for YOU? Read on to learn about Ellen's findings and which of our top weight distribution hitches science says will suit you best.

Best of the Best: ProPride 3P
Smoothest Ride Under $1k: Blue Ox SwayPro
The OG/Most Trusted Brand: Equal-i-zer
Best Budget Option: CURT TruTrack

Do I Need a Weight Distribution Hitch?
Do Weight Distribution Hitches Help with Sway?
How Do I Choose a Weight Distribution Hitch?

The Experiment

First, the requisite scientific disclaimer - the findings below are ultimately subjective and based on driving with our truck, our trailer, and our road conditions at our campus in Wentzville, Missouri. We did keep everything as consistent as possible between the systems (for science!), but someone with a different setup or different conditions (ex: extremely high winds) might have a different experience.

Truck/Trailer: 2017 Chevy Silverado 2500 + Travel Trailer

Weight Distribution Hitches:

Tester - Ellen M.

Product Expert

Installer - Shane H.

Product Expert

We took multiple factors into account in our ratings, including:

Sway (how much did the hitch limit or prevent sway?)
Smoothness (how much did the hitch limit chucking and bouncing?)
Ease of setup
Price (and value for price)
Noise during use
Versatility with other trailers

Best Weight Distribution System Reviews

ProPride 3P:

Best of the Best

Key Features: 800 - 1,300-lb tongue weight range; allows backing up; electric brake compatible

For you if: If you've used other weight distribution/sway control hitches, but they haven't solved your problem; if cost isn't a factor; if you drive in high winds or experience severe sway

Not for you if: You're looking for weight distribution on a budget, or you don't experience severe sway (What's "severe?" Think 30 mph winds in the Great Plains, or semi-truck crosswinds nearly sending you into the next lane)

You might have heard of the ProPride 3P's predecessor, the Hensley Hitch. Well, the 3P is the third generation of Jim Hensley's technology. It's sort of the king of sway control (with a $3k+ price tag to match).

Is it any surprise that the premium ProPride hitch offered a smoother ride than any other sway control hitch we tested? If it didn't, we'd be worried. So if you're looking for the absolute best sway control out there, or if other hitches have failed to solve your sway problems, this beast is your answer.

That said, we'd never claim that absolutely everyone towing a trailer needs this thing. It's great at what it does, but for the majority of towers out there, it's overkill. You can get an almost-just-as-smooth ride for a lot less, and for many, that price jump won't be justified.

In our case, our testing was somewhat limited since we couldn't deliberately recreate dangerous towing situations, extreme winds, severe trailer sway, etc. The ProPride definitely smoothed out our ride, but we weren't experiencing severe issues to begin with, so the difference wasn't as pronounced as it might have been in other circumstances. This is an extreme solution to extreme sway problems. In an area with high winds or in a situation where you're hauling sensitive loads (you can read Warren's story about hauling horses here), the investment in this premium weight distribution hitch makes sense. Otherwise, you'll likely be quite happy with the Blue Ox SwayPro or Equal-i-zer (more on those below).

Blue Ox SwayPro

Smoothest Ride Under $1k

Key Features: 200 - 1,900-lb tongue weight range; allows backing up; electric & surge brake compatible

For you if: You're looking for a smooth, quiet system that's easy to set up AND comes at a great value; if you plan on hauling a different trailer at some point and your TW will change

Not for you if: Other weight distribution systems haven't worked for you, you might want to check out the ProPride 3P above for the ultimate sway control

The Blue Ox SwayPro impressed our team with its even temperament on the road. It did a great job of holding everything together without being too bouncy or too rigid. Plus, it was super easy to set up, and unlike the Equal-i-zer, you don't have to stack washers to adjust the head, so that's a time-saver out of the box. Towing with the SwayPro was also very quiet. Plus, the spring bars are interchangeable if you need a higher or lower weight capacity, which makes this the most versatile system on this list. (Also, it's made in the USA!)

For all these reasons, the SwayPro earned the top spot on Ellen's list as the one she'd recommend for the majority towers out there.

So when would you NOT want the SwayPro? If you've tried other weight distribution hitches and they haven't fixed your problem, this one isn't more likely to do the trick (you're better off with the ProPride 3P). However, the ride quality difference between the SwayPro and ProPride wasn't THAT great under "normal" conditions (non-extreme winds, a not-massive trailer, etc.)—at least, not enough to justify the higher cost for us. So if you've got a major problem, the SwayPro might not cut it. But for most towers, the SwayPro will deliver an excellent ride at a worthy bang-for-buck value.

Equal-i-zer

The OG/Most Trusted Brand

Key Features: 100 - 1,300-lb tongue weight range; allows backing up; electric & surge brake compatible

For you if: You want solid sway control from the most highly trusted brand in the weight distribution game

Not for you if: You're looking for an easy setup with no adjustment needed, you'll want to look at the SwayPro above

The Equal-i-zer is a trusted name in the weight distribution industry for good reason—it was the first system out there and still holds up as one of the best systems available. Similar to the Blue Ox SwayPro, the Equal-i-zer offers a nice balance between rigid and bouncy.

Our installer Shane owns this system on his own trailer and prefers it because of how well it supports the trailer's weight compared to other systems. The 4-point sway control does a great job creating a smooth, level, stable ride. All in all, it's unlikely you'll be unhappy with an Equal-i-zer. It's a solid, well-made product at a fair price.

So where did it fall short? We knocked off a few points for noisiness on turns and the inconvenient setup process. The hitch has largely been unchanged over the years, which means that while other systems like the SwayPro have adopted more convenient setup methods, the Equal-i-zer still relies on the tedious process of adding/removing washers to adjust it the first time you use it—which, we'll be honest, is a bit annoying. You only have to set it up once, however, so this may or may not be a big deal to you. The bars themselves are also not interchangeable, so if you get a different trailer with a different tongue weight, you'll need to replace the head assembly and bars for this system (conversely, the SwayPro does allow you to change out the bars only).

CURT TruTrack

Best Budget Choice

Key Features: Up to 900-lb tongue weight range; allows backing up; electric & surge brake compatible

For you if: You want a weight distribution hitch and want to stay under around $500

Not for you if: You don't mind spending a bit more for better sway control, or if your TW is more than 900 lbs

The CURT TruTrack is an excellent budget option for those who have a sway/ride quality problem, but not necessarily one so severe it that needs an $800+ solution. During testing, there was some rigidity and chucking, but it was decidedly better than having nothing on our trailer at all. There are no washers needed to adjust the head assembly, so that's a plus in the convenience department (although the pivot point on the head is still a tad tricky to adjust).

However, like with the Equal-i-zer, the spring bars are not interchangeable if you get a new trailer with a different tongue weight. This system does provide 2-point sway control, which is better than friction bar systems or having no sway control at all, but it's definitely less effective at preventing sway than the 4-point systems like the Equal-i-zer and SwayPro. You can feel the difference between nothing and the TruTrack, but you can also feel the difference between the 2-point and 4-point systems.

Common Questions about Weight Distribution Hitches:

Do I Need a Weight Distribution Hitch?

Generally speaking, weight distribution hitches are a good idea if you experience trailer sway, tow vehicle sag, or difficulty steering or stopping, or if your trailer weighs at least half the weight of your vehicle. (Learn more about when to go with a weight distribution hitch in our article, 5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches.)

Do Weight Distribution Hitches Help with Sway?

You can find weight distribution hitches with or without sway control. Some actively prevent sway before it starts, while others simply work to control and minimize sway. Each of our top picks on this list offer some degree of sway control. We break down the different types of sway control in our article, What is the Best Sway Control Hitch for Me?

How Do I Choose a Weight Distribution Hitch?

Choosing the right weight distribution hitch is a matter of determining your trailer tongue weight and selecting a hitch in the proper range. We recommend that your tongue weight fall in the middle of your weight distribution hitch's range.

For instance, if your tongue weight is 800 lbs, your ideal weight distribution hitch will have a tongue weight range between 600 and 1,000 lbs. For additional help choosing a system, check out our article 2 Steps for Finding the Right Weight Distribution Hitch Size.

About Amber S.

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

Related Products

Shop Spring Bars

Shop Chain Hangers

Shop Head Assemblies

Test conducted by: Ellen M.

Edited by: Amber S.

Updated: 10/31/22

Jim

7/12/2023

Need to do your research on Blue Ox. The parts may be assembled here in the US, but they are outsourced and the quality of that is evident over any significant period of use. You will not be able to legally find any "Made in the USA" on their product packaging or literature. On the other hand you will find that with Equal-i-zer Hitch as they proudly use top grade US domestic steel and US manufacturing with their hitches. This is evident with the quality and performance, plus you'll see it proudly labeled on the product.

Mike L.

8/2/2023

@Jim According to Blue Ox, the SwayPro is fully manufactured in the US, I've just confirmed this via a phone call to Blue Ox. This being said, I agree with your preference for the Equal-i-zer product.

Tony

7/7/2023

The Equal-i-zer hitch won't make any noise around turns if it is properly lubricated. You need to apply some grease on the upper and lower surfaces of the sockets - it is discussed in the instructions. It's easy to do and you won't have any noise if you do that. Another thing that helps prevent noise is to use the pads for the L brackets. https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Equal-i-zer/EQ95-01-5150.html Our Equal-i-zer hitch doesn't make any noise . . . .

Peter M.

7/7/2023

I have the Blue Ox Sway Pro, and have been very pleased with it. Last fall I had my Right trailer tire blew out at interstate speeds (65?). I felt absolutely no trailer sway. Just heard the noise followed by the bumpiness as I slowed and pulled over.

Mike L.

7/28/2023

@PeterM Wow, what a great testimonial! We're glad you're happy with your SwayPro!

Howard

7/7/2023

I’m retired from 47 years in the hitch business . Equalizer would get my vote these days . Still made in the U.S. It really bothers me to see the “major” brands go to China -just ain’t right !

Mike L.

7/28/2023

@Howard I'd wholeheartedly agree with you!

Dan M.

7/7/2023

Would also like to see the Curt Tru-Track 4-point sway control tested. You only included the 2-point.

Mike L.

7/28/2023

@DanM There was an error in our description of the TruTrack. The trunnion bar system that's shown is a 4-point system. Curt also offers a round bar TruTrack system that's a 2-point. We'll have that fixed ASAP. We apologize for the confusion!

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