Equalizer Hitch

The Equalizer Hitch has its roots back in in 1945 when the company was formed by Ed Hedgepeth, then called "Mobile Manufacturing." (Red circle numbers above are explained below.)


Ed started producing hitches, tow dollies, and - you wouldn't have believed it unless you saw a picture of one - an on top of the sedan "Family Sleeper." (See below!)

Since then, the "Equal-i-zer" Sway Control hitch has become a standard for not only sway control but for weight distribution hitches.

Even this movie star gave the Equalizer hitch a glowing review after using one for thousands of miles:

Back in September of 2005, famed actor Matthew McConaughey drove across the U.S. on a tour to promote the movie "Sahara." On this 8600 mile grassroots road-trip, McConaughey towed his trailer - which had a "Sahara" billboard wrapped around it - with an original Equal-i-zer® Sway Control Hitch.

When asked how the Equal-i-zer® performed, McConaughey said (below quote as reprinted from the equalizerhitch.com site):

“Doin’ 70 around a turn on the highway in Alabama passin’ an 18 wheeler. Draft and big corn row bumps in the highway, my trailer started doing the two-step... Without the Equal-i-zer’s help, I would have probably ended up lookin at my trailer through the windshield instead of the rear view.” - Matthew McConaughey

How does it work and what makes the Equalizer hitch so special?

The patented 4-Point Sway Control - four positive friction areas that constantly work in unison to dampen trailer sway. It has proven better than add-on friction bars and cam-type systems, which are used with the conventional, chain-style weight distribution hitches.

Rotational friction is designed to dampen or completely prevent side-to-side sway before it has a chance to start. It is activated by downward pressure from the trailer tongue - this causes an upward pressure on the spring arms, which pass the pressure to the sway control brackets to distribute trailer tongue weight.

The rigidity of the sway control brackets allow the dual rotational friction sway control to safely and effectively hold the trailer in line behind the tow vehicle and combat sway before it starts.

The following diagram and explanation below - both copied from the manufacturer's website - equalizerhitch.com - does a good job of explaining just how the equalizer hitch works.

The Equalizer Hitch is also an excellent weight distribution hitch - probably the best available.  The red circled numbers are a little hard to read, but they correspond to the numbered explanations below the image... 

1. Sway Control Brackets:

Rigid trailer attachments work with friction sway control to combat trailer sway. Brackets are height adjustable to control the amount of weight distribution tension on the spring arms.

2. Spring Arms:

The spring arms serve two purposes. When raised onto the sway control brackets they transfer trailer tongue weight evenly to the tow vehicle. They also work with the friction sway control to reduce trailer sway.

3. Downward Pressure:

Downward pressure from trailer tongue increases friction sway control. Trailer hitch ball mounts here.

4. Upward Pressure:

Sway control brackets distribute weight by maintaining upward pressure on spring arms. The amount of pressure on the spring arms is a factor of trailer tongue weight and vehicle suspension. The friction sway control utilizes this pressure to control trailer sway.

5. Friction sway control:

Friction is enhanced by downward pressure from trailer tongue and upward pressure on spring arms. These opposing pressures come together to create an unequaled sway control system.