Andersen or equalizer?

[bailiej757]

Just ordered a 17B and would like to know your opinion on if a Andersen hitch is worth the extra cost. Going to be towing with a 2008 RAV4 V6 with the trailer package. Thanks

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by bailiej757

Just ordered a 17B and would like to know your opinion on if a Andersen hitch is worth the extra cost. Going to be towing with a 2008 RAV4 V6 with the trailer package. Thanks

First question is do you need weight distribution. If you tow with a front wheel drive V6, the answer is generally yes, but not always.

Second question is how does each of the wdh's available perform. You will get alot of opinions but again, generally, the conventional "bar" type wdh's do a great job of weight distribution and an adequate job of sway control. The Andersen does a great job of sway control and an adequate job of weight distribution.

The Andersen can't distribute all the weight needed to get 100% distribution when towing a very heavy trailer, but this is irrelevant in the case of an Escape, since they're very light.

Lots of forum members are happy with both of them. "Is it worth it" is too hard for me to quantify. If it were me, I'd get the Andersen, but that is purely subjective. I like things that work in an unconventional way - or at least LOOK like they do

[kvermeulen]

Originally Posted by bailiej757

Just ordered a 17B and would like to know your opinion on if a Andersen hitch is worth the extra cost. Going to be towing with a 2008 RAV4 V6 with the trailer package. Thanks

I would go equalizer with reece cam locks.

but then i dont know much about the anderson.

i do know the cam locks really work for sway control.

Ken

[dfandrews]

Here's what you are comparing:
-The Anderson


-the current equalizer (not the brand, just the type) hitch
ETI's hitch, as of the e-mail I received this morning:


Our Equalizer hitch is a Reese Pro Series 600 and comes with a 2” ball.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

First question is do you need weight distribution. If you tow with a front wheel drive V6, the answer is generally yes, but not always.

Second question is how does each of the wdh's available perform. You will get alot of opinions but again, generally, the conventional "bar" type wdh's do a great job of weight distribution and an adequate job of sway control. The Andersen does a great job of sway control and an adequate job of weight distribution.

The Andersen can't distribute all the weight needed to get 100% distribution when towing a very heavy trailer, but this is irrelevant in the case of an Escape, since they're very light.

Lots of forum members are happy with both of them. "Is it worth it" is too hard for me to quantify. If it were me, I'd get the Andersen, but that is purely subjective. I like things that work in an unconventional way - or at least LOOK like they do

Judging from the few times I've towed my 17B without the WDH connected, YOU DO need a WDH for the combination of the RAV4 & the Escape trailer.

As to which, I'd look for someone who has used both. I have the Equalizer type, and have been pleased with it (with no additional sway control). It is a bit of a pain to connect & disconnect, but you get used to it.

[gbaglo]

You will want the WDH to restore the vehicle to level and for a comfortable and secure ride.
I have the Pro from ETI and it works well. It is heavier than Anderson ( apparently ). I'm not willing to spend an extra $200 for Anderson for ( to me ) no perceptible advantage.
I don't have sway bars. I just load the trailer properly ( 320 ish tongue weight ).

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

-the current equalizer (not the brand, just the type) hitch
ETI's hitch, as of the e-mail I received this morning:
Our Equalizer hitch is a Reese Pro Series 600 and comes with a 2” ball.

Excellent point: Equal-i-zer® is a trademark; the general type of hitch which includes both the Reese Pro Series 600 and the Andersen No-Sway (and the Equal-i-zer®) is a weight-distributing hitch.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by bailiej757

... if a Andersen hitch is worth the extra cost.

Do you mean the extra cost of the Andersen hitch over the Reese hitch sold by ETI, or do you mean the extra cost of the Andersen hitch compared to not using any kind of weight-distribution system?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

You will want the WDH to restore the vehicle to level ...

There is no need for any kind of WDH to get either the tug or the trailer level. The trailer can be leveled by adjusting the ball height, and the tug can be leveled with help springs (such as air bags).
I'm not questioning those RAV4 owners who have assessed a WDH as required, or that use of a WDH helps level the tug - it's just that leveling doesn't require WDH.

[gbaglo]

So, what's the advantage of spending money on some other method of leveling the vehicle?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

So, what's the advantage of spending money on some other method of leveling the vehicle?

Obviously if you decide you need WDH, then you don't need to add air bags or similar. If another owner decides the only reason they need WDH is leveling, then they have other options.

Even if using WDH, there are other advantages to adding air bags - primarily that less WD force could be used, reducing effort to hook up and strain on both trailer and tug structures. The bags also help the vehicle handle cargo loads when not towing. The change in suspension behaviour when towing may also be desirable, but that could go either way. None of these are likely big enough factors to make someone decide to add air bags, but the combination of air bags (or full air suspension) with WDH is somewhat common - I've seen many references to it in various forums.

[gbaglo]

As I recall, Derek ( over on FGRV ) installed air bags on his RAV4, towing a Parkliner.
Then, he bought WDH.
Then, he bought a truck.

[OneOleMan]

At first I was going with the Reese Pro then decided on the Andersen because I wanted sway control too. This is my first WDH so I have nothing to compare to; I can say coming down from Chilliwack the truck rode smooth as silk and there was no noise. My 4Runner is an AWD 4X4 so the front wheels are always doing some of the work.

[dave macrae]

I have used both , get the anderson.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

There is no need for any kind of WDH to get either the tug or the trailer level. The trailer can be leveled by adjusting the ball height, and the tug can be leveled with help springs (such as air bags).

Correct, and it addresses a common misconception. Leveling is not weight distribution, although proper weight distribution may "help" with leveling. The WDH's purpose is to redistribute weight from the back to the front axle of your tow.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Leveling is not weight distribution, although proper weight distribution may "help" with leveling. The WDH's purpose is to redistribute weight from the back to the front axle of your tow.

True, but the effect of moving weight from the rear of the tow to the front ( and to the trailer ) is to level the tow vehicle. All an air bag does is prevent the rear from dropping.

Now to inflict my WDH pix on you again.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

True, but the effect of moving weight from the rear of the tow to the front ( and to the trailer ) is to level the tow vehicle. All an air bag does is prevent the rear from dropping.

Now to inflict my WDH pix on you again.

And once again Glenn, we don't disagree. You can "inflict" pictures on me anytime....

[techfan]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Here's what you are comparing:
-The Anderson


-the current equalizer (not the brand, just the type) hitch
ETI's hitch, as of the e-mail I received this morning:


Our Equalizer hitch is a Reese Pro Series 600 and comes with a 2” ball.

Let me speak for the brand, Equal-i-zer. Not only is this a WDH but it IS a anti-sway device. I have also used both the Andersen (note the "e" not the "o") as there may, indeed, be an Anderson leveler out there. We have driven almost an equal number of miles on both. Our preference is for the Equal-i-zer for a number of reasons. You can read our review here:
https://sites.google.com/site/ouresc...andersen-hitch

As to weight distribution, my research indicates that most manufacturers who produce unibody vehicles with either front or awd suggest weight distribution. (There are some exceptions.) These vehicles tend to be lighter and because the primary drive is in the front, they want firm contact with the road for traction and steering. Trucks don't generally have this problem.

Because of these differences it is important to read up on the manufacturer's recommendations for towing on the specific vehicle you are looking at. Go to their website and download the car manual and look at the towing section. Happy reading!

[rbryan4]

Good info Tim. Thanks.

[steve dunham]

I tow with a 1/2 ton truck with air bags ,Curt WDH and a Curt anti sway bar.. I am not concerned about the minor cost to improve my towing experience . I have been witness to people driving down an interstate at 40 mph with their backend dragging ,trying to maintain control of their vehicle and decided that I will not follow their example. In the scheme of things $500 for a WDH is nothing when compared to a $35K Escape