Sure, your pickup truck has a sufficient tow rating for that travel trailer you have your sights on, but is that all you should be concerned about?
A weight distribution hitch with sway control is not always a requirement, but there are few better ways of protecting that brand new (to you) Silverado 1500, and your (future) cozy camper. The additional stability could mean the difference between a long white-knuckled trip and the family camping vacation of a lifetime.
A weight distribution hitch is essentially a contraption that reduces the weight being applied to the tongue of the tow vehicle through the power of leverage. This is desirable to level the trailer and truck, and required when nearing or exceeding (not recommended) the truck’s rated tongue capacity.
Sway control is typically a device added to a weight distribution system that uses friction to increase the amount of force required for the trailer to pivot around the attachment point. This helps to prevent lane wandering and control sway back and forth (hence the name). It can be especially helpful in high winds and when navigating mountainous roads.
So what is the best weight distribution hitch? Which brands take the top spots in reviews? I’ll highlight the top 8 picks offered now and compare their features, capacity, durability, and benefits.
Table of Contents
Top Weight Distribution Hitch with Sway Control in 2024
1. EAZ Lift 48058: Best Elite Trailer Equalizer Hitch
Promoted as “elite” weight transferring & sway prevention kit, the hitch is characterized by the standard weight rating that is typical for the industry. Meanwhile, 10,000-lbs total and 1000-pound tongue carry capacity are sufficient for the versatile applications, basic towing preferences, and requirements.
The assembly comes with the typical-diameter (2-5/16-inch) hitch ball, a perfect anti sway appliance with U-bolts, as well as the chains beneficially pre-installed. That’s why, the sway prevention set is easy to mount and pretty flexible, providing a 6-inch height setting.
Interesting information
The weight distribution system is produced by the famous Camco Manufacturing, Inc. that is an experienced company, producing various automotive accessories, including towing products since 1966. It’s a US-based producer, with the headquarter in North Carolina. Having got 5 manufacturing facilities in the USA and one in China, the company is proud of its top-quality products, superior service, and competitive pricing.
Thus, the hitch is really durable. The shank is made of the strongest steel. It has 4 holes, so no drilling is required anymore. The weight distribution hitch is hefty and heavy-weight. Meanwhile, it may require some adjustments, as only the basic parts, including the sway ball, but not the hardware, are made of steel. The bolts, washers, and nuts are a bit flimsy, as usual, so you may use them or buy and utilize the most reliable ones.
The sway prevention hitch is covered by a 5-year warranty, that is quite moderate for the industry. It works quietly and pretty forcibly, being virtually the best equalizer hitch, meeting the basic towing needs and requirements.
- adjustable;
- no-drill installation;
- quiet;
- made of steel.
- some flimsy parts or hardware are included.
Conclusion
2. Blue Ox BXW1500: Best High-Capacity Sway Control Hitch
Towing your caravan quite often, especially in winter, on icy and snowy roads, when the weather is harsh and windy. Select the really reliable, heavy-duty hitch with the perfect sway prevention feature. It is capable to support the loaded trailers with weight up to 15,000 lbs, up to 1500 lbs tongues, without any noise or discomfort.
The weight leveling kit is proudly produced in the USA (in Pender, NE state), in a factory with a longtime experience that started working since the early 1980s as Automatic Equipment Co. This prominent producer stands out by the top quality and sophisticated, open design hauling products. Consisting of spring bars, latches, brackets and pre-adjusted, easy-to-use heads, they are geometrically optimized, well-built.
Features and Specifications
Any additional adjustments are not necessary. The heads are open, providing easy access to the ball to tighten it. The torsion bars are beneficially made of top-grade steel, being able to flex and rotate 90 degrees. They are self-locking, including no extra pins or clips, able to back up, requiring no stops to fix the chains.
Thus, being virtually the best weight distribution and impactful sway control hitch, the device is intuitive to setup. Very good instructional videos can be watched on the manufacturer’s website. Additionally, the system enables the best possible usability, driving stability and handling improvement.
It completely eliminates sway, even in strong winds, providing amazingly smooth, safe, quiet rides. Generally, I guess, it’s the best self-adjusting weight distribution hitch with reliable sway control, high-capacity, long-lasting and noiseless.
The sway prevention system keeps the caravan perfectly centered. It fits minivans and pickups up to ¾ tons rating, like F150 or Chevy 2500 HD.
- fast to setup, hook and disconnect;
- noiseless;
- lifetime warranty;
- all-weather no-sway results;
- inter-changeable torsion bars.
- you can get grease from the hitch while putting it on;
- the U-bolts may wear out during heavy use and require replacement.
Conclusion
3. Andersen Mfg 3350: Best Universal Anti Sway Hitch
A lightweight, but high-capacity weight transferring appliance is beneficial while you are striving for the unparalleled safety on the road. Consisting of the metallic-finished chain, a ball, and the lifting brackets, it’s self-adjustable, requiring no technical stops.
Andersen Hitches is a US-based, family-owned company that has 50+ years of faultless experience. Having got an innovative and spacious fabrication complex in Idaho Falls, the brand is famous for its top-quality products and unique technologies.
Thus, the weight distribution hitch is revolutionary in terms of technologies and materials. The kit is sway eliminating, anti-bounce, providing really smooth and noiseless trailer’s towing. It’s based on motion-dampening mechanism, including the patented springs, made of urethane.
Useful information
The installation and handling are amazingly easy due to the light assembly’s weight. The complete setup may take no more than half an hour. The sway eliminating set includes the standard, 2-5/16 ball that moves with the coupler, requiring no grease. The brackets and essential hardware are enclosed.
The hitch fits the 5-6-inch frame caravan’s brackets, rising and setting the bars. A clear and complete fitment guide is provided on the manufacturer’s website. The system provides 4-inch drop/rise, following the situation on the road. Finally, to remove it, just pull the pin out.
- lightweight;
- simple, innovative design;
- quiet;
- intuitive to install and remove;
- anti-bounce.
- it can make an unpleasant sound when turning a tight corner;
- the plastic insert and bushings may require replacement in some years.
Conclusion
4. Reese 66559: Best Trunnion, RV Weight Distribution Hitch
Featuring not the highest loading capacity in the towing industry, the hitch stands out by innovative design and really robust shank. It completely eliminated sway, standing out by the impactful pads on the equalizers. The leveling system is efficient on the highways even when a strong crosswind blows, providing smooth, well-controlled and soft rode.
The sway control kit prevents wagging and pitching, being virtually quiet during the hauling. It improves the truck’s brake control and handling, evenly apportioning the load forces.
Useful accessories
The weight distribution appliance features the thick, 30-inch spring bars, the lifting brackets, a steady-flex trunnion head, being powder-coated, sleek and long-lasting. Even the hardware is solid and reliable that is not common for the sets of automobile parts and accessories. Lifetime warranty speaks for the system’s durability.
Standing out by significant weight that makes about 93 pounds, the sway control assembly is hefty. All your family members or several friends would come together to carry it to the garage. The distribution hitch is produced under Reese brand by the famous Horizon Global Corporation that started operation in 1952 in North America (Plymouth, MI) that is recognized as the premium towing systems’ manufacturer. So, I think, this weight apportioning kit is produced in the USA, being reliable and top-quality. I highlight it among the best sway control systems thanks to its usability and durability.
The weight distribution device accurately fits 2” receivers and (according to the producer’s website) 5”-7” frames when it does about top-mount couplers. Bottom-mount ones work also on the 4” frames perfectly well. The hitch is fast to install, easy to connect and uncouple. The installation video and the guide are freely accessible, helping with the mounting perfectly well.
However, the top-quality, highly-efficient hitch also has some drawbacks. The hitch ball isn’t sent with the parcel. The part is to fit the sway prevention system, being 1-1/4-inch in diameter. Additionally, the powder coating is thick and available inside the threads. It might eliminate corrosion completely, but inserting the bolts isn’t the easiest actually, requiring applying some physical strength and a suitable torque wrench (3/4”-drive or 1/2”-drive).
- durable;
- thick powder coat;
- easy to connect;
- no-drill, intuitive installation.
- the hitch ball is offered at additional cost.
Conclusion
5. Pro Series 49903: Best Welded Weight Distribution Trailer Hitch
Looking for a forcible weight distribution accessory, pay your attention to this high-performance kit. It is efficient even when you experience side winds on the highway, passing a lot of other vehicles when the traffic is high. Coming with the adjustable spring components, the weight carrying hitch is perfectly flexible, a bit heavy-weight, but quite practical and reliable.
The weight transferring set is ready-to-mount, pre-installed, including a hitch and a sway balls, the essential hardware. The torsion devices and rounded, welded, made of top-grade, solid steel. An instructional video is available and it can help you significantly with the setup. The user manual is a bit complicated, unfortunately.
Additional information
So, the hitch is intuitive to collect and mount, easy to setup and use. The mounting commonly takes up to an hour. Just turn the washers and the rivet on the head, changing the tilt, according to the available trailer’s particularities. The shank’s height is also adjustable with the bolts easily.
Meanwhile, the weight distribution hitch is seemingly made in China, being delivered with a Reese label on it. I would say, it’s top-quality, well-designed and user-friendly, but it still may require frequent lubricating, for example, using a grease gun. The hitch can make some noise, especially by turning or backup.
- adjustable hitch’s head and bars;
- made of thick steel;
- 10-year manufacturer’s warranty;
- flexible.
- a bit noisy without lubrication;
- heavy-weight.
Conclusion
6. Curt Manufacturing 17007: Best Load Leveling Hitch
Going camping or visiting some attractions for a couple of days, don’t forget about a hitch to eliminate any bumps or sway. The weight distribution assembly by Curt is really amazing, allowing smooth towing, as the weight is distributed evenly to all pickup truck’s and caravan’s axes.
The hitch is really well-designed, high-capacity and reliable. It’s not too heavy in terms of the weight, but able to handle up to 14,000 lbs. of weight totally. The sway prevention assembly includes 2” * 2” hitch heads, round bars, attachment tabs, an adjustable shank, the hardware. Additionally, it’s beneficially covered by limited lifetime manufacturer warranty (one-year on the finish and parts).
The bars are beneficially produced from steel, forged, powder-coated, to ensure the premium corrosion resistance, durability, and anti-scratch protection. It’s easy to setup and disconnect, as it requires only removing of the pin and clip.
More information
However, the hitch ball is absent in the parcel, and it’s necessary to buy a 2-5/16-inch one separately, preferably made by Curt Manufacturing, obtaining the best compatibility. A receiver lock can be bought optionally to protect the pin from being removed, making the hitch theft-proof.
As to the installation, it’s quite intuitive. But the manual is not completely clear for the beginners or the drivers, going to deal with towing for the first time. I would suggest putting the bottom adjustment bolt in at about 3 quarters and using 5 washers. The parts require some lubrication. Adjustment is pretty simple, taking only a couple of minutes and it can be performed on the road.
- simple-to-adjust;
- corrosion-resistant and durable;
- precise leveling abilities;
- heavy-duty heads included.
- a 2-5/16 ball is to be purchased additionally.
Conclusion
7. Camco Chem 48733: Best Trailer Weight Distribution System
Being definitely manufactured by the famous Camco Manufacturing, Inc. Company, the sway control set is top-quality and highly recommended to all travelers. Being designed for leveling tongues that weight up to 1000 pounds, it’s highly adaptive and user-friendly.
The hitch includes no chains, but it lets the trailer turn easily, performing flawlessly. The Recurve R6 sway control kit’s design is innovative, providing the premium ground clearance. It automatically disengages on tough corners or on the icy roads when you don’t need it. This way, it makes maneuvering much smoother than the similar weight distribution hitches allow.
Interesting benefits
The hitch looks subtle and sleek due to the black finish; it’s really massive and heavy-duty. The installation is not complicated or time-consuming. Only the instructions are a bit long and not too clear. The bar mounts are a bit flimsy, twisting excessively. Additionally, the lanyard pins are easy to lose. In this case, the manufacturer sends the replacement ones very fast.
- innovative design;
- highly efficient on the corners;
- heavy-weight;
- heavy-duty.
- common mounts and pins issues.
Conclusion
8. Equal-i-zer 90-00-1200: Reliable Sway Control Hitch
Going to the Lake or having a comping trip, feel confident about it. The hitch by Equal-i-zer keeps your family and trailer safe. It comes with advanced towing technology. Sway control is beneficial, as it eliminates uncontrolled dips and bumps on the road. It’s high-performance, giving no chance to your camper to sway.
75 years of dedication, make the company leading and reliable. Ed Hedgepeth founded it in 1945 in Utah. Initially, it worked as Mobile Manufacturing. Then moved from one city to another (Salt Lake City –Lindon – Provo). Nowadays, it gets special (reader’s choice) awards every year. It’s a reliable proof of the products’ quality and usability.
Having the hitch installed, you can drive safely. Any quick maneuver doesn’t cause lane wandering. Gusty winds don’t keep you from driving. 4-point hitch is unrivaled. It ensures the highest level of resistance to sway. It distributes the caravan’s weight to all axes. The accessory improves braking and steering.
Features and Benefits
The hitch consists of the strongest, high-grade American steel. It includes a pair of 12-inches long shanks and a head. Control brackets and 36”-long spring bars are its essential parts. Find a couple, two, three rivets, washers and installation hardware inside the parcel. Installation is intuitive. But the ball is not available. You’ll have to buy it additionally.
- reliable;
- heavy-duty;
- easy-to-use;
- intuitive to install;
- durable.
- no ball included;
- might make some noise while turning.
Conclusion
Get more information by reading the recall forum users.
Buyer’s Guide
Is a weight leveling and distribution system an unnecessary gadget, recommended by obtrusive sellers or an essential towing accessory? Let’s check it.
When Do You Require a Weight Distribution Hitch?
When you buy a caravan to go camping or sightseeing, you could mention that it’s quite large and heavy. Your pickup truck is definitely powerful and impressive, but its weight is significantly less (50%, at least) than the camper trailer’s tonnage. So, a towing device is commonly required by the vehicles’ manufacturers. It’s necessary to ensure all road users’ safety.
What Does a Weight Distribution Hitch Actually Do?
The set levels the caravan, transferring the weight to all axes, making the tongue be perfectly leveled. The advanced weight distribution kits stand out by the built-in sway reducing features. They provide the necessary towing safety, preventing lane wandering, making driving soft and quiet, improving the tow vehicle braking and steering.
Thus, selecting the best weight distribution and anti-sway hitch to haul the camper, consider:
- the necessary capacity;
- the kit’s ease of setting up and adjusting;
- the type of the torsion bar;
- the finish;
- availability of the basic parts.
The principal ratings, indicative of the weight distribution hitch’s performance are GTW and TW.
Gross (total) caravan’s weight or GTW shows the tonnage of the completely loaded trailer that is being towed.
TW (tongue caravan’s weight) designates the tongue mass, including the weight of the stuff delivered behind the rear tow vehicle’s axle, for example, in the pickup truck’s bed.
Tongue weight commonly makes from 9% to 11% (or up to 15%) of the trailer’s tonnage. Thus, before selecting the suitable system that performs weight carrying and distributing functions, it’s recommended to measure the loads delivered in the cargo area and inside the trailer. This way, you avoid raising or lowering the front truck’s end. The suitable-capacity weight distribution hitch provides level, well-controlled, smooth travel. The rating is to be indicated in your truck’s and the caravan’s owner manuals, and should never be exceeded.
Spring Bar Types For Weights
The weight distribution system commonly comes with one of 2 spring bar types, such as:
- round (intuitive to setup, providing better clearance);
- trunnion (standing out by higher load capacity).
The anti-sway option is essential to improve control and braking. Eliminating any risk of the trailer falling on harsh corners or bumps with the nearest vehicles due to abrupt wind or the trailer radius overbalance.
Carbide or black powder finish is preferable as it ensures great, sleek appearance and premium durability, making the hitch corrosion-resistant and high-performance.
All the weight distribution assemblies I recommend you are user-friendly and intuitive to setup. The installation takes up to half an hour, requiring only common tools and basic skills.
Finally, the pre-assembled kits that have all the essential parts included are preferable. Otherwise, compare the total weight distribution hitches’ costs, adding the optional components’ prices.
How to Properly Set Up the Delivered Weight Distribution Hitch?
The kit installed to the receiver commonly includes:
- a class 3,4 or 5 hitches (it should have a weight rating label attached);
- a shank;
- a head set;
- 2 bars with chains or without them;
- 2 lift brackets.
A hitch ball may be included or recommended to buy separately.
Thus, mounting the properly fitting weight distribution kit:
- level the caravan’s tongue, paralleling it with the parking field;
- mount the shank initially, then the hitch’s head and the ball;
- add the torsion bars.
- tighten the available bolts, connecting the weight distribution assembly.
How to Adjust the Pre-Installed Weight Distribution Hitch?
Level the tongue jack by tightening the ball or the brackets, either by lifting the chains and hooking them.
How to Prevent Bounces, Bumps, and Sway?
Being able to adjust a sway control bar (by connecting its end to your truck’s suspension). Level both the caravan and the light truck and ensure the complete driving and towing safety. Above all, check the wagon’s weight. Using the scale of any kind. Subsequently, distribute the cargo weight correspondingly. All tires are to be equally inflated. Additionally, try to avoid abrupt winds.
Where to Buy a Hand-picked Weight Distribution Hitch?
How to buy a weight distributor and lifting device with the highest rating? First, you can visit the local auto parts store. Secondly, visit the nearest dealer of the manufacturer. And also to glance to the seller of the trailer or service center. The weight distribution set can be installed and adjusted there. But the prices on online shops or platforms like Amazon are more affordable. The information provided is complete and detailed.
Is a weight leveling and distribution system yet another unnecessary gadget or is it an essential towing accessory? The answer is, of course: it depends. The single largest factor happens to be the weight being applied on the rear of the vehicle, and how that relates to the vehicle’s actual load capacity.
What Happens When Weight is Added to the Back of Your Pickup Truck?
Weight added to the truck bed at, or in front of the rear axle adds load to the front and rear axles that’s proportional to the distance it’s placed from the center of the two axles. Pickup trucks are designed to compensate for added load on the rear axle by being front-heavy (we discuss this in more detail in our Adding Weight to Your Truck Bed Buyer’s Guide).
Adding weight behind the rear axle also adds load to the rear axle, but in contrast, reduces the load on the front axle. This is fine…until it’s taken too far.
As you add weight to the tongue of your truck, you will notice that the rear end of the truck begins to “squat” – this is the suspension compressing under the load. When it gets to a certain point, you may notice the front of the vehicle begin to rise. As this happens, the ride and the handling dynamics of the truck change significantly.
When Do You Require a Weight Distribution Hitch?
Technically, a weight distribution hitch is required when you’re towing a trailer and the tongue weight is nearing or exceeds that of your truck’s rated capacity. That said, you may not know the actual numbers, or your situation may just be more complex.
What’s the simplest way to tell, visually? Hook up your trailer and look at your rig from the side. The truck should be sitting level, or with the rear slightly lower than the front, and the trailer should be sitting level. If the front of the truck is lifted significantly from its typical ride height, or if the truck and trailer form a “V,” you definitely need a weight distribution system (or you need to reevaluate your trailer).
The safest bet is to plan on using a weight distribution hitch if you’re towing a trailer or camper that is anywhere near your truck’s tow rating. It won’t hurt, and it can help ensure the safety of yourself and all those on the road around you.
What Does a Weight Distribution Hitch Actually Do?
A weight distribution hitch (or system) mechanically shifts some load from a truck’s rear axles to the front axles, and helps lift the front of the trailer being towed. For the mechanically inclined reader, the system is introducing a torque preload (in the vertical plane) at the hitch joint.
Properly distributing the load applied to the truck’s axles and leveling the whole rig greatly improves handling and helps prevent trailer sway or fishtailing, which can be catastrophic.
An anti-sway feature (might be built-in to the system you choose, or can be added) further dampens sway or lane wandering that can occur on the highway due to towing a large trailer or camper. This is accomplished by adding resistance to the left and right movement of the hitch joint (horizontal plane). This adds stability and increases driver comfort for long hauls on the highway, but likely must be removed for maneuvering in tight spaces.
What should you look for when selecting the best weight distribution and anti-sway hitch to haul your camper or other heavy trailer?
A few things to consider:
- The required tow capacity;
- the kit’s ease of setting up and adjusting;
- the type of torsion bar;
- availability of replacement parts.
Two of the most important numbers to understand are GTW and TW.
Gross Trailer Weight or GTW represents the weight of the completely loaded trailer that is being towed.
Tongue weight or TW specifies the portion of the weight applied at the point of attachment (hitch). When a trailer is loaded properly, the tongue weight is typically between 9% and 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW).
Before selecting a weight distribution system, it’s recommended that you determine your truck’s towing capacity and tongue weight rating, as well as the gross trailer weight and tongue weight of the trailer you wish to tow. These numbers will quickly narrow your product selection.
Spring Bar Types
The weight distribution system commonly comes with one of 2 spring bar types: round, and trunnion.
Round spring bars tend to be used in systems with lower weight ratings, are a bit more difficult to install, but are less expensive.
Trunnion bars typically have a higher weight rating, are easier to install, and provide more ground clearance.
Anti-Sway Option
Many weight distribution systems have the option to add, or come with an anti-sway system. An anti-sway option is a great addition to improve stability and comfort for long hauls.
All the weight distribution assemblies I recommend here are user-friendly and intuitive to set up. Installation can take up to half an hour and requires only common tools and basic skills.
Finally, the pre-assembled kits that have all the essential parts included are preferable. Otherwise, compare the total weight distribution hitches’ costs, adding the optional components’ prices.
How to Properly Set Up the Delivered Weight Distribution Hitch?
The kit installed to the receiver commonly includes:
- a class 3,4 or 5 hitch (it should have a weight rating label attached);
- a shank;
- a head set;
- 2 spring bars, with or without chains;
- 2 lift brackets;
- a hitch ball may be included.
Mounting your new weight distribution kit:
- use the jack foot to level or lift the tongue of the trailer slightly beyond level;
- mount the shank initially, then the hitch’s head and the ball;
- add the torsion bars;
- tighten the available bolts, connecting the weight distribution assembly;
- slowly lower the jack foot until all of the trailer’s weight is on the truck;
- step back and check your rig from the side – if it is sufficiently level, you’re ready to roll;
Where Can You Buy a Weight Distribution Hitch?
First, you can visit the local auto parts store. Second, you can visit the nearest dealer or manufacturer. Many trailer and camper dealers also sell systems, and they will likely even do the install and adjustment. But the prices on online shops or platforms like Amazon are typically more affordable, and have the advantage of numerous public reviews.
Get more information
Final Verdict
In my opinion, BXW 1500 by Blue Ox is a great weight distribution hitch with sway control due to its extremely high loading capacity and durability. The anti-sway system 3350 from Andersen is lightweight, but it is equipped with some flimsy, plastic parts. The hitch kit 66559 by Reese is one of my favorite accessories as it helps to eliminate any pitching or wagging even in crosswinds.
Great video explainer on how this works and how to set it up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGd7NSX9w_M
