Enjoy your RV trips with peace of mind knowing your Equal-i-zer® hitch provides you with both sway control and weight distribution.
Oftentimes, people think sway control and weight distribution are the same thing, but they’re not. Equal-i-zer hitch gives customers both from one hitch, without any add-ons. The big thing about both of these concepts is the increase in safety over a weight-carrying hitch.
Jason Harper and Matt Barnes, a couple of our in-house engineers, took time to explain the importance of both sway control and weight distribution.
Why do I need weight distribution?
When you couple your trailer to your tow vehicle, the added weight causes your tow vehicle to “teeter-totter” over the rear axle. The front of the tow vehicle raises, and the rear sinks. Hazards associated with driving a trailer without weight distribution include loss of steering control, braking difficulties, and hitch dragging.
What does weight distribution in your Equal-i-zer hitch do?
“The weight distribution provided by your Equal-i-zer hitch distributes some of the weight back to the front axle of the tow vehicle,” says Harper. “Distributing this weight does several things. It gives you a better ride and driving visibility, it improves steering ability, it allows you to brake better, and it reduces driving fatigue allowing the driver to be more focused. Proper weight distribution helps you from exceeding tow ratings, which increases the longevity of the tow vehicle.”
Why do I need sway control?
“Trailer sway can be caused by a variety of reasons while you’re making your trip,” says Matt. “It can be caused by high winds, improper loading or while passing big rigs. Not only can sway be caused by different variables, but your trailer has different ways it can sway. This is where the Equal-i-zer hitch comes into play. The hitch provides rotational resistance around the axis of the hitch ball to limit or dampen this type of trailer motion, keeping your trailer behind your tow vehicle.”
What makes the Equal-i-zer hitch the best?
With the Equal-i-zer hitch, you get the best of both weight distribution and sway control. The design and strength of the Equal-i-zer hitch actively work to prevent and control unwanted trailer movements better than any other weight distribution hitch and/or sway control device. There are a few reasons the Equal-i-zer hitch outperforms its competitors in controlling trailer movements.
- It’s a stronger hitch — The Equal-i-zer hitch spring arms are stronger, which provides more stability and dampening for less bumper-sag bouncing.
- Again, it’s a stronger hitch — The strength of the Equal-i-zer creates a downward force on rigid brackets (not free hanging chains, or a horizontal pulling force) which provides more stability and dampening to counteract trailer roll/lean.
- 4-point active sway control — The Equal-i-zer’s 4-point friction sway control resists and dampens trailer wagging or “fish-tailing.” It works whether you’re going in a straight line or if you are on a winding road curving back and forth. It is constantly working to make the trailer follow the tow vehicle without the swinging back and forth relative to the vehicle.
Consult the infographic below for more sway-control and weight-distribution insights:
