Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control with Lightweight Shank, Head and Trailer Ball

Question:

Hello, my question is about weight dist. hitches with sway control. I currently have an Equalizer 4-point WDH rated 600/6000. It works great but the shank, ball, and ball housing weight 58 lbs which is too heavy for me to lift since Ive had lower back surgery. Our TV is an 03 Toyota Sequoia rated 650 TW/ 6200 Tow capacity. We pull a Jayco Jay Feather x17z GVWR 3500 with 450 lb TW. 2inch ball, 4 3/8 trailer bracket width, 8inch . Can you recommend another WDH that is lighter for me to hook up. Thanks

asked by: Nelson C

Expert Reply:

Due to the enormous amount of leverage that the spring bars exert on the receiver hitch on the vehicle, the weight distributing shank, ball and weight distribution head the ball attaches to are as heavy as they are out of necessity, to a large degree.

The Reese Steadi-Flex, part # RP66558, which is similar to the Equal-I-zer uses a shank, weight distribution head and trailer ball that have a combined weight of about 41 lbs. The # RP66558 has a 600 lb tongue weight/6,000 lb GTW capacity, so it would have a similar weight rating to the weight distributing hitch you're currently using. If 17 lb difference in weight would make a difference for your sore back, that's what I'd recommend.

The weight of those components used by the Blue Ox Sway Pro system you referenced would be over 50 lbs, similar to what you have now.

expert reply by: Mike L