Best Weight Distribution Hitch and Brake Controller for a 2026 Toyota 4Runner Towing a Geo Pro 15FBS  

Would you recommend the 4 inch or 6 inch shank for the 4-runner at stock height? You reference the 6 inch but my concern is that may be too long for the 4-runner?

Hello Mark, I was asked to give you my two cents on the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System # EQ37060ET because last spring I bought it from etrailer. I tow an R-POD 191 with a Ford F-150. After towing with the Equal-i-zer for more than twelve months and driving around the country in all types of weather from no wind to 60 mile an hour headwinds, crosswinds and severe thunderstorms I can say the Equal-i-zer performs as designed by the Provo, Utah company. But, it is the most loud and annoying hitch I’ve ever used in towing over the 45 years of trailering. I’ve had people look at me almost every time I pull into a public place because of the shrieking the bars make from the metal on metal contact. I have gone as far as lubricating them every time I stop to no difference. I went to their Provo, UT factory last year and met with two of their engineers to get my hitch installed correctly. They were really nice and helpful guys, but the weight distribution bars themselves are difficult to get installed by raising and lowering the front of the trailer and then using the supplied pry bar to get them in place. The chain distribution systems while not perfectly or perfectly quiet are way less noisy and much easier to install each time. If I were searching for a trailer weight distribution system for one of my two daughters I would steer clear of Equal-i-zer. After a 6,000 mile trip in May 2026 from New Mexico to Wisconsin to Idaho I have permanently removed the Equal-i-zer hitch from my R-POD. I will be replacing it with a standard weight distribution hitch with the friction anti-sway control bar. I wasn’t asked about the REDARC Brake controller, but it is top notch. I have it on two of my vehicles and it works flawlessly. You can’t go wrong using their brake controller. REDARC is an Australian company which I started using many of their products when I lived and traveled around Australia for two years pulling what they call a caravan behind a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3.0 Liter diesel. The Outback can be challenging to drive in the best weather. The brake controller is designed to be plug and play. You can manually adjust it, but the controller senses your vehicles braking needs as they change. I hope your daughter has fun and safe travels with her upcoming adventures. Respectfully, Will S.

Mark, I’m currently using the equalizer weight distribution hitch with a camper trailer that weighs roughly 4500 lbs loaded. The tow vehicle I’m using is a Chevy Suburban. I bought this because when I load bikes on the trailer, I’m somewhat tail heavy so I needed something to provide stability. I’m super happy with the equalizer hitch. I have not noticed excessive noise while making turns as some have noted. I do not recommend lubricating the tension bars as this defeats the purpose of the friction sway control. Keep in mind that if you get this for your daughter, it will complicate her towing experience in the following ways: 1. The drawbar and ball hitch are solid steel and super heavy (mine is roughly 80 lbs). 2. Setting up the amount of tension is controlled by adjusting the angle of the hitch with washers. This takes some time and care. Once it’s done, you shouldn’t need to change it. 3. Connecting the tension bars requires level surface and adds a degree of complexity during hookup. 4. Your turn radius may affected which makes backing into tight spaces more difficult. I would only recommend this hitch if there is a clear need for it. For most towing applications, as long as you setup the drawbar properly so the trailer is level, and you ensure the tongue weight is 10-15% of the trailer weight, there should be no need for it.