Weight distribution hitch--I think I'm ready to make a leap

[Beentheredonethat]

OK, so with all of the feedback in here, research, and talking to the best RV guy, I think I’m getting clearer.

It would be better if I towed my four horse stock trailer with my Surburban with a WDH so the back of the Burb doesn’t drop. I really have no issues with sway control.

RV guy says all of the hitches are pretty solid. I watched the videos a bunch of times and think I can actually do this on my own, making SO help me. I see the big issues is getting bolts undone.

Amazon is an easy way to go because I can get it within 3 to 5 days. Some are about the same as other sites, some are way more expensive.

These are about the same on Amazon, and I have my own ball:
https://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48059-Weight-Distributing-Adjustable/dp/B00I0EMAIS/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1470883431&sr=1-7

https://www.amazon.com/17301-Weight-Distribution-Trunnion-Tongue/dp/B001EOWRGG/ref=sr_1_70?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1470883493&sr=1-70

This one has a ball:
https://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48069-Elite-Weight-Distributing/dp/B00GBQ3YXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1470883381&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Eaz-Lift-48058-Elite-Weight-Distributing/dp/B005SB6S3Y/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1470884004&sr=1-4&keywords=anderson+weight+distribution+hitch

Any suggestions? Feedback? Everyone had been really helpful, so thank you in advance.

[hosspuller]

The amazon links don’t work for me.

Are you concerned about the nut on your existing hitch ball ? If it’s just that one big nut, take it to a garage. They’ll use an impact wrench to whip it off in a flash.

[Beentheredonethat]

Weird! They didn’t work for me, either. I fixed it.

Yes, I am concerned about the nut!. But, I had t a not so fun time borrowing a truck to tow to a show last weekend and had to play switcharoo with my hitch, so saw that it just takes some good pipe wrenches to get it done.

[King_s_Ransom]

I have the EAZ-Lift 1,200 lbs with sway control AND the Curt hitch – one for our RV and the other for the horse trailer.

They are both good, go with the 1,200 lbs (I think the Curt you linked to is only 800).

The sway control is very nice to have if you get any wind over 10 to 15 mph. It makes a huge difference for us.

I suggest you pay for professional installation, it’s not as easy as you might think and if you don’t get them set up properly you will get sway and porpoising and think you are going to lose your trailer. I bought my hitches on Amazon and paid a local trailer shop to install them, after watching the videos and checking the forums and looking at it myself I figured it was over my head.

Also, our EAZ Lift was not properly installed the first time — just a few adjustments that needed to be made. Those adjustments made all the difference in the world. I think I would say I prefer the EAZ Lift over the Curt, but they are both good hitches.

[IPEsq]

Another vote for professional install.

[Beentheredonethat]

Thanks, King’s Ransom. Knowing someone’s experience is helpful.

I have never had ANY issues with sway even in wind. I wonder if it’s because it’s a stock trailer? I just want to make my Burb a little more even.

[Jim_in_PA]

I’d put a new ball on that WDH … they are not expensive in the scope of things. And that leaves your existing ball mount and ball available for utility, such as quickly repositioning your trailer when it’s parked, etc., without having to deal with the full WDH hookup dance.

And yea…get a pro install on that WDH. You’ll likely want to use an RV outfit for that as most horse trailer dealers don’t really “know” WDH; the RV crowd uses them almost universally.

[King_s_Ransom]

If you get the sway bar set up, you can easily decide whether to use it or not on a day by day basis. The set up is permanent, but you attach and use the bar only when you need to – it’s very easy to take off and put back on.

For the few dollars more, I would get it. You may not be getting sway, or you may not realize it. I have followed plenty of haulers whose trailers were swaying all over the highway and they seemed oblivious. The FIRST thing to do if your trailer starts to sway is slow down, and it just surprises the heck out of me when I see people going 75 mph with a full load behind and it’s all over the road.

I have a 3h slant with a dressing room here in Kansas, the land of windfarms – so my opinion may be swayed (ha ha!).

[Jarpur]

We had professional installation done at a RV place.

[Beentheredonethat]

I have to just update this. I was supposed to get the hitch on Monday, but a VERY valient UPS guy delivered it yesterday. Not a big guy, and he got the whole thing to the porch. It had to be 100 lbs! I went out and gave him great kudos.

VERY impressed with the quality. Because of my trailer/truck situation, I’ll install it on my own and then go to the RV person if I need to. We had to hit Harbor Freight last night because I don’t have good pipe wrenches to switch balls–it came with one too big for my trailer, and HF had balls, so I got one of each size JUST to be sure!

It came with the sway bar, so I’ll set everything up for that.

King’s–Perhaps I never have sway because I never go over 60 mph! I really can’t with a '78 Burb!

Oh man. Seriously. With all of the new, big pipe wrenches and everything else, we cannot get the new ball off the new hitch and replace it. I’ve been all over the internet to find ideas, and nada. This is the brand new ball on the brand new hitch.

[hosspuller]

put the new ball hitch into the receiver of the burb to at least hold one end of the nut. You can lift more than you can press down (most people) so turn the hitch so the wrench on the nut is lifting to unscrew it. Looking at the nut from the end of the threads…lefty loosey, righty tighty…

If this still doesn’t work for you… get some help. Don’t hurt yourself.

[Beentheredonethat]

hoss, we were thinking the same way. We put he hitch on the trailer and me and SO (who is 6’4") and out giant pipe wrenches could NOT get it off! I went over to my mechanics, and they sort of smirked and said I needed to be stronger. Same routine, they could not get it off. They finally got it off by adding a six foot piece of metal pipe to the end of one wrench and getting leverage! Science!

It’s all on and looking great!

Thanks for everyone’s help and advice. The EAZ was easy to put on, and it is made of really solid, good materials.

[Jim_in_PA]

The long pipe trick for lever action is something to remember…I’ve used it any number of times for tractor maintenance and other things. 'Glad you got things setup! The final part of your adventure is to make sure that the tension bars are adjusted correctly for your trailer’s tongue weight, etc.