new owner /need advice Equalizer or Andersen Hitch

[Rossue]

Very helpful review techfan. My 17B has the Pro Series WD with sway control that ETI installed as an option for $350. Works very well. Have rethought the Andersen now for the new trailer....

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by techfan

First, the Andersen IS a WDH, just a different kind.

Absolutely true.

Originally Posted by techfan

I have owned one of the most popular, Equal-I-zer and the Anderson. You might read my review here
https://sites.google.com/site/ouresc...andersen-hitch

Thanks - nice write-up.

From that web page:

We also think that the Equal-i-zer does a slightly better job of weight distribution. The stiff steel bars allow more leverage in moving weight to the front.

The Equal-i-zer and other conventional designs certainly have more leverage, but not due to the stiffness of the bars (the bars in fact are flexible, and they must be flexible): it's just that the bars are two feet long, while the equivalent levers in the Andersen (the brackets on the trailer) are half a foot long. The conventional design has about four times the leverage and thus needs one-quarter of the force on the chains to achieve the same load transfer.

... after a long, hot drive, the Andersen has a lot of resistance on the hitch ball and, at times, that resistance has made backing more of a challenge. It is almost as if the "brake material" lining is hot and grabbing more...

Interesting observation. Tim, your interpretation makes perfect sense. Damping sway means absorbing energy, and that means heat. Friction material used in brakes - and the Andersen hitch - is usually more effective when hot.

[Craigend]

I have the newer model (2013) Outback 2.5 cyl. and would like to tow the Escape 15A. (max. total trailer weight is 2700 lbs. for this Subaru model) Is anyone towing with an Outback ? I think this should work for the smaller Escape. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks. The Andersen hitch looks like a good choice .. what hitch are you using ?

[gbaglo]

ETI lists the "dry hitch weight" for the 15 as 190 lbs and for the 17 it says 250 lbs.
The actual loaded hitch weight on my 17B is 320lbs.
Not sure of the hitch capacity of the Outback, but you need to consider that the actual hitch weight could be more than the Outback can handle.

[gbaglo]

Looks like the 2013 Outback has a tongue weight capacity of 200 lbs.
The Escape 15 has a "dry hitch weight" of 190. Once you add propane, batteries, water, appliances, personal stuff, food, and an iPod, you will be well over the capacity of the Outback.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Looks like the 2013 Outback has a tongue weight capacity of 200 lbs.
The Escape 15 has a "dry hitch weight" of 190. Once you add propane, batteries, water, appliances, personal stuff, food, and an iPod, you will be well over the capacity of the Outback.

I have posted before that I must keep almost a full fresh water tank to keep tongue weight close to 350.

[JimJ]

Our experience is the same as Tim's.