Recommended Weight Distribution Hitch for Outdoors RV Timber Ridge 28BKS

Updated 08/02/2023 | Published 08/01/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems

(323)

$76.84

B&W Continuum Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control for 2" Hitch - 16K GTW, 1.6K TW

(130)

$1299.00

Question:

Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems or the Reese: I have and older Curt Chain WD hitch. Because of how the hitch arms fit into the head I really have a hard time picturing how this Friction Sway unit will fit in. Will it fit in? Its kind of crowded at the head of this hitch already. I am also considering changing hitches Weigh Safe, BandW or Equalizer because of getting bigger heavier trailer or keeping the old chain hitch and adding the friction sway control arm. Thoughts on best way to go? Yes, spent too much $ on the new RV to go out an buy a BandW hitch without heart burn. Oh, and I like the looks of the Anderson Hitch, ez, light, but does not appear to do sway control. What about the Anderson, plus this sway arm vs. the Weigh Safe, BandW or Equalizer? Looking for a light sturdy, effective, ez to use hitch. Im getting too old to fight a heavy hitch. Trailer will be an Outdoors RV 28 BKS, 33, 7,500 lbs empty and hitch wt. of 875 behind a 2500 Ram. Thanks

asked by: Doug K

Helpful Expert Reply:

As long as you have the hole to install the 1-1/4" ball for the Curt # 17200 on your head it will fit. This portion of the weight distribution hitch head sticks out to the side on the top. The friction control sits up above the spring bars which can be seen in the picture below.

I don't know what system you have exactly, but if you went to a heavier trailer you probably need a new one. A WDH should be selected based on the tongue weight of your loaded setup. This includes anything behind the rear axle of your Ram 2500.

Since we don't have that information we can work off of your trailer weight. Tongue weight is typically 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight. Outdoors RV lists the 28BKS with a maximum trailer weight of 9,995 lbs so with that you would top out at 1,166 lbs of tongue weight. I recommend measuring with a scale like the # e99044 just to be sure.

Out of all of the brands you mentioned I would recommend Equal-i-zer. They are widely considered to be the best and weight distribution is their only business. For a system that fits your tongue weight you can use the # EQ37120ET. This has a tongue weight range of 800-1,200 lbs so you're covered fully loaded and empty. This is at the higher end for price but when it comes to a WDH you typically get what you pay for.

You mentioned quite a few other brands so I'll cover them briefly. The Curt you have now is a budget friendly option, but something like the Equal-i-zer will put it to shame. People use it, the friction sway bar does an ok job, but it sounds like you're looking for more than it has to offer.

The B&W # BW78FR is fancy but in my opinion it is hardly necessary and a newer system without a lot of real world experience to back its claims. Reese has a wide range of options and some are great and some are just so so. A Reese hitch like the Pro Round Bar is more in line with the Curt, while the Strait-Line like # RP66084 will be more comparable to the performance of the Equal-i-zer.

Weight Safe I can't really comment on. We don't carry it and I don't have any experience with it. The Andersen is junk. I have this because it came free with a travel trailer. I absolutely do not like it and the performance is subpar. You may think it is light because of the chains, but the shank with the head weighs a lot so the lack of bars isn't making a real difference.

So as for light, all of the options are carrying about the same weight. The shank and head is pretty similar on everything and much of the weight is going to be in that part of the WDH. The Equal-i-zer will definitely be effective and once you have it set up it is easy to use. It also comes with a snap-up lever to help install the bars.

I have attached a helpful article on measuring tongue weight, along with some review and installation videos below for your reference.