Dogarms
California
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Joined: 11/10/2001
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campnhuntmn wrote:Renee,
Equalizer advertise four points of sway control, but two of those points are the trunion pivots and though might tite fitting they are not going to do much in the way of sway control. The two rear points will do all the work (better then a pair friction units).
Small point, but it is the other way around. Most of the friction comes from the contact between the upper surface of the trunnion sockets and the under surface of the hitch head. With a heavy tongue there is a tremendous amount of friction at this point. The spring bars’ contact with the “L” brackets contribute considerably less.
TC
'03 GMC ExCab, SB, Duramax, Allison, 4x4, Husky mudflaps, Procaps, Bilsteins, Leer shell, BedRug, Oilguard Bypass,
Caterpillar fuel filter, ISSPRO EV Pyro and Boost guages, Titan V, Equal-i-zer EQ1400, Arctic Fox 30U
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campnhuntmn
Minnesota
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Dogarms,
IMO, the amount of rotational movement that would occur during a "sway" at the trunion is pretty small. The lateral movement of the bar in the L-bracket would be more. It is my guess that when loaded up and pulling down the road, that the "breakfree" friction at the bar ends has more impact then the rotational resistance in the trunions. I've help hook up both types, but not owned either.
Both are far better then the older friction type. Neither are as good as a Pullright or Hensley, but neither have the cost. I made my choice because I felt that overcoming the cam would give marginally more sway resistance.
Just my opinion, developed by this mechanical designer looking at the mechanics of both systems and interlaced with more opinions gathered here.
Chuck
'06 Palomino Thoroughbred T-26BHSL (loaded 5500#)
'05 Jeep Grand Cherokee - 5.7L Hemi (rated 7200#)
Reese HP Dual-cam hitch, Prodigy BC, McKesh Mirrors
Kipor 3000Ti (2600watt) Generator
Dual 6V Trojan T105 batteries, PD9160 converter w/Charge Wizard
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Ron Gratz
full time RVer
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Here is the "official" version of how the Equal-i-zer 4-point sway control works.
It refers to the arm on the bracket as a secondary control, "Second, the forward and back friction of the hitch arm on the bracket serves as a secondary sway control system."
It seems to me that I recall reading about teflon pads which can be placed between the bar and the bracket to reduce noise. I'm wondering how any usable amount of friction force can be generated with the pads in place.
Ron
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Taz Devil
SW Florida (Cape Coral)
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Renee,
After using the single and dual friction set-up on a couple of my trailers, I decided to upgrade to the Reese dual cam system (the older version). It works great and really cuts down on the sway. My DW really noticed the difference on our last trip to Ft Walton Beach. She doesn't mind driving now. Only you know what will make you happy. This is really a good place to get inputs and opinions and advise. Good Luck.
Kevin & Celeste
(Both Retired Air Force) 
2 Dogs (Cocoa & Spice Girl)
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab SB 4x4/5.9L HO CTD/3.73
Prodigy Brake Unit
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rhondavid
Birmingham, Al
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Joined: 07/01/2003
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Very happy with my Dual Cam. We are 31.5 Ft from hitch to bumper and it handles the lenght just fine. We are approx 6500 #'s loaded so less than others that have posted but regardless, DC stops sway.
David,Wife,4 kids,SIL,1 grandchild
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 7.3 PSD w/3.73 rear end
Jayco Kiwi Too 30T bunkhouse w/triple bunks
Prodigy Controller
Reese Dual Cam HP
Michelin LTX M/S
2001 F150 SuperCrew
Topsail Hill Cult Member
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Earl Rice
St. Louis
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Joined: 09/15/2005
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Renee,
I'm glad this post is up so I could read the replies, I was very curious myself. I just bought a Reese high performance Dual Cam set-up after some sway issues when Semi's pass me on the highway. I plan on installing it this weekend for a trip next weekend. I've heard a lot of good things about the dual cam. I looked at Hensley, but I'm not willing to pay $3000 just yet for that set up.
Earl
2008 Dodge 2500 MegaCab 4X4
Cummins 6.7 Powered 6 spd
Reese Dual Cam
2006 Springdale 296BHG 33' OAL
DW, 2 boys 16 11
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Dogarms
California
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campnhuntmn wrote:Dogarms,
IMO, the amount of rotational movement that would occur during a "sway" at the trunion is pretty small. The lateral movement of the bar in the L-bracket would be more. It is my guess that when loaded up and pulling down the road, that the "breakfree" friction at the bar ends has more impact then the rotational resistance in the trunions. I've help hook up both types, but not owned either.
Both are far better then the older friction type. Neither are as good as a Pullright or Hensley, but neither have the cost. I made my choice because I felt that overcoming the cam would give marginally more sway resistance.
Just my opinion, developed by this mechanical designer looking at the mechanics of both systems and interlaced with more opinions gathered here.
Chuck
Chuck, I understand what you are saying, but there is very little displacement of the spring bar from its static resting position on the "L" bracket. Even when the angle of the TV to the TT is in excess of 45 degrees, for example the bar is only slightly moved from its resting position on the bracket. This would suggest that it isn't contributing a lot to the effort. The availability of delrin (or something) inserts for the brackets, which would further reduce friction, also suggests that that the bracket/bar interface provides a relatively small portion of the resistance. In contrast, the trunnion socket/hitch head undersurface interface has much more surface area in play and more movement.
I hope you don't mind the reply. I'm not really arguing, but enjoy discussing how things work.
TC
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 07/13/2005
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I appreciate everyone's reply. After a lot of research we decided to get the Hensley then our dealer, who wants to work with us suggested trying the Reese Dual Cam HP first, he'll give us $300 credit on the friction sway and WD unit he installed in exchange for the Reese. He suggested we try it and if we are satisfied with it, good. If not, then he'll take it back and sell it for us as a packaged deal for someone else and then we can get the Hensley if needed. We feel it's a win win situation so we're willing. I'd like to know how Earl's installation and pull feels after he tries out his Reese. Of course our unit and TV will be different than his even the locatino of his kitchen, water tanks, etc. This all makes a big difference. We've read so much and talked to the manager of the service department at Komfort in Oregon and Hensley's are not the only solution but can be based on the TV or TT stability with respect to weight, loading, wheelbase of TV, etc. Someone could make a lot of money specializing in setting up TV's in this area. If I were in Ontario, Canada though I'd look up the expert listed on this site there.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 SD CC DRW 6.7L Diesel Lariat, Hensley BD3 with Ford Under-Bed Adaptor
Dave & Renee plus (Champ & Molly in spirit), Missy, Maggie, and now Paris!
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Ron Gratz
full time RVer
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ReneeG
Was Komfort able to explain to you why a 28' trailer connected to an F250 should have terrible sway? If you end up having to buy a Hensley to "fix" this problem, I think that is only a WIN for Komfort and not for you.
Ron
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bettered
UpCountry SC
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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I would agree completely with Ron. On the other hand, while your dealer has made you this special deal, try it for a while, then order the Hensley and try it also. You have 60 days to send the Hensley back for a full refund. Or you can take the other one back. Then you'll know which one makes sense for you, and your risk is almost nothing - no matter which you you ultimately go.
Since you had already "decided" on the Hensley, cost must be somewhat of an issue for you, but ultimately you have to decide to what extent "cost" is the prevailing issue.
BetterEd
DW + 2 grandkids + Mini Schnauzer
2005 Chev 3500 Crew D/A 6.6L LLY, 6 x 6 DRW, 3.73
Tru-Flow + Banks, 2005 Flagstaff 831FKSS
Hensley + Prodigy
"Genius may have its limitations...." E. Hubbard 1856 - 1915
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