Weight Distribution Hitches

richriddle · Mar 29, 2017

I need a weight distribution hitch for a car hauler that hauls the tractors and skid steer. The max weight of the heaviest thing it will haul is about 6,000 pounds and the truck is rated to haul 11,300 total. What hitch do you folks recommend? Watching youtube showed some basics, but it didn't really show how you mount the side pieces to the channels of the trailer. My trailer has 6" channel. Thanks.

msb1766 · Mar 29, 2017

I use an Anderson no-sway form my camper, works great. Easier to use than the bar and chain in my opinion.
Weight Distribution Hitch | Andersen Hitches

Steve1300 · Mar 29, 2017

That Anderson setup looks good, but I think the spring bar system is quicker to adjust for those of us who have various weights on the trailer. As long as they both work, no problem. My system came with my truck by Nissan, so I don't remember which brand it is. I still find it amazing that the system actually levels out the rig.

civilian · Mar 29, 2017

Steve1300 said:
That Anderson setup looks good, but I think the spring bar system is quicker to adjust for those of us who have various weights on the trailer. As long as they both work, no problem. My system came with my truck by Nissan, so I don't remember which brand it is. I still find it amazing that the system actually levels out the rig.

So what happens when you unload the tractor from the trailer while the chains still have tension on them? Or with the spring bar setup? Sometimes I load/unload my tractor 5 to 6 times in a days time. Just wondering. Thanks, Jon

fried1765 · Mar 29, 2017

richriddle said:
I need a weight distribution hitch for a car hauler that hauls the tractors and skid steer. The max weight of the heaviest thing it will haul is about 6,000 pounds and the truck is rated to haul 11,300 total. What hitch do you folks recommend? Watching youtube showed some basics, but it didn't really show how you mount the side pieces to the channels of the trailer. My trailer has 6" channel. Thanks.

Take a look at the Equali-z-er brand hitch.
I have had several, and currently am using their 14,000 lb. model.
E-Trailer sells the Equal-i-zer 12,000 lb. model .... # EQ37120ET.
The Anderson is very unique, but the Equal-i-zer is bullet proof!
The chain style units restrict backing with the hitch attached.

richriddle · Mar 30, 2017

Thank you for the recommendations and opinions. The information and reviews on the Andersen and Equal-i-zer models show that both rate very high. It appears as though the Andersen has a clone called the Husky 32218 that sells for about half the price of the Andersen unless I am missing something of significant difference between the two models.

msb1766 · Mar 30, 2017

The difference between the Anderson and the Husky and the other brands that use spring bars, is the Anderson uses the red bushings for the spring.
The sway bar is built into the ball.
I used a round bar weight distribution hitch for a few years with my campers and when I switched to the Anderson It was so much easier to hook up and it
towed so much better, no more bounce, no more adjusting the sway control bar, no more noise.

newbury · Mar 30, 2017

fried1765 said:
Take a look at the Equali-z-er brand hitch.
I have had several, and currently am using their 14,000 lb. model.
E-Trailer sells the Equal-i-zer 12,000 lb. model .... # EQ37120ET.
The Anderson is very unique, but the Equal-i-zer is bullet proof!
The chain style units restrict backing with the hitch attached.

A second vote for the Equali-z-er brand hitch, been running one for about 10,000 miles, 5 years. On a 12K trailer. My prime thing was to get something that fit before I learned to weld but it seems to do well.

fried1765 · Mar 30, 2017

richriddle said:
Thank you for the recommendations and opinions. The information and reviews on the Andersen and Equal-i-zer models show that both rate very high. It appears as though the Andersen has a clone called the Husky 32218 that sells for about half the price of the Andersen unless I am missing something of significant difference between the two models.

The Husky 32218 looks to me, like a Chinese attempt to clone the Equal-i-zer.
The Husky IS made in China, and IS less expensive than the Equal-i-zer.
The Equal-i-zer is made in the USA, and is made of 100% USA steel.
The Equal-i-zer quality is superb!
Having had several Equal-i-zers, I would not even consider buying anything else!

Steve1300 · Mar 30, 2017

civilian said:
So what happens when you unload the tractor from the trailer while the chains still have tension on them? Or with the spring bar setup? Sometimes I load/unload my tractor 5 to 6 times in a days time. Just wondering. Thanks, Jon

I've had no problem loading and unloading with the hitch setup for the load.

I also have had no problem while backing. Am I supposed to?