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The Blue Ox is a lot quieter than the Equalizer. I can always hear a trailer with an Equalizer hitch coming through the camp ground . They are both really good hitches, just some people like the quiet while others don't care either way.
Not sure if this applies in this case or not, but the latches for the Blue Ox when mounted sit below the top of the frame. Whereas the Equalizer does sit above. This is more of an issue on travel trailers where the propane tanks sometimes can affect the mounting of the brackets.
Like I said, I am not knocking the Equalizer hitch at all, just pointing out some differences . The Reese dual cam is another great hitch, although I do believe there is a bit more set-up involved, maybe someone who uses one can give you a better idea.
I'm not suggesting a given brand but just saying that in my experience, the clamp-on WDH brackets tend to get loose over time and squirm around on the trailer frame.
Never heard this complaint before. Suspect it's very rare problem.
As for the different hitches, I've never owned any of them. But I've heard the Blue OX is quite heavy, if that's an issue.
The thing that I like about the Reese Straight Line is that it actively works against sway; trying to force the trailer to stay straight; prevent sway before it happens. While other brands work as a damper to sway, I don't believe that they will work to get the trailer back in line as the straight line does.
Once the trailer is out of line, the Reese will try to move it back. Whereas the others will not do that to the best of my knowledge.
I've narrowed my choices down to the Reese Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW or the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Clamp On - Trunnion - 10,000 GTW, 1,000 TW.
I've never even seen a Blue Ox WD hitch, so no comment on that one.
I have towed a 7,000-pound cargo trailer and a 5,000 pound TT with the Reese Strait-Line trunnion bar with dual cam sway control for thousands of miles. Works perfect. Not a bobble from the trailer when passed or meeting 18-wheelers at 70 MPH, or in cross winds, or on bumpy crooked highways.
However, be sure you get the Strait Line. Reese also makes cheaper hitches, and they make one that is similar to an Equalizer in that it uses friction for sway control. Stick with the Strait-Line with dual cam sway control and you'll be golden.
I use the older style Blue Ox which has the adjustable head angle and latches instead of cams. I also have the 1500lb bars. These units can still be had for around $600 and they work fantastic.
I saw the video displayed earlier in this post and I must say I would never buy such a set up. Way to many loose pieces to loose and way more complicated than the Blue Ox. Its like putting together a puzzle. Also, I have seen the Blue Ox and the Reese Straight Line side by side and the Blue Ox is built like a tank when compared to the Reese. Its just a better built, better thought out unit in my mind.
My Blue Ox will pull a 6000lbs TT at 70mph sustained with my 2013 F150. I do not have to unhook when I back up and the hitch rarely makes a sound.
I had problems with my Reese Strait Line system from an RV tech not installing it correctly. It caused my head to grenade! So make sure all angles are correct, that the ball has a shorter shaft as not to contact the bars, and that you leave enough chain links so that the spring bars do not contract the cam bracket.
Saying that above, the Strait Line is the best inexpensive anti sway WDH on the market IMO. Probably the Equalizer being second. Being these hitches are not that expensive and the Equalizer being easy to install opposed to the Strait Line system, there's really no other reason to go with another.
The old Blue Ox Sway pro was an adequate anti sway WDH only having friction in the head but that leads to dog tracking. They redesigned it and now it looks like it has even less anti sway control but it's hard to say either way. It is the easiest to setup by far but that looks like it comes with a price of lower sway control.
The old Blue Ox Sway pro was an adequate anti sway WDH only having friction in the head but that leads to dog tracking. They redesigned it and now it looks like it has even less anti sway control but it's hard to say either way. It is the easiest to setup by far but that looks like it comes with a price of lower sway control.
I find it funny how everyone who says that the Blue Ox doesn't work well, or it looks like it has even less sway control, are people who have never used the Blue Ox and really have no idea what its capabilities are.
At the end of the day, do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Yes I do run the new style Blue Ox and it is a great hitch, easy to hook up, no sway and it stays on when backing up. The other hitches mentioned are great as well, but it just doesn't make sense that someone is making assumptions about a hitch they have never used.
I find it funny how everyone who says that the Blue Ox doesn't work well, or it looks like it has even less sway control, are people who have never used the Blue Ox and really have no idea what its capabilities are.
At the end of the day, do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Yes I do run the new style Blue Ox and it is a great hitch, easy to hook up, no sway and it stays on when backing up. The other hitches mentioned are great as well, but it just doesn't make sense that someone is making assumptions about a hitch they have never used.
I agree. I did the research and based on the availability in Canada, the Blue Ox was the choice and I don't regret it for a second. It holds the trailer straight as an arrow, even being passed by the big double 53' units. Cross winds are non issue now. We have a lot of inland grain terminals here right off the highways. They are like a mountain of concrete that break the wind, but as soon as you pass them the wind broadsides you like a rogue wave. Always used to be white knuckle, but now it's barely noticeable.
On a side note though, the head does weigh as much as a small moped, so be prepared.
11-26-2014, 11:50 AM
. They are both really good hitches, just some people like the quiet while others don't care either way.
. The Reese dual cam is another great hitch, although I do believe there is a bit more set-up involved, maybe someone who uses one can give you a better idea.
