The Best Weight Distributing Hitch Options for Your Truck or SUV

Stay safe while towing a load

The best weight distribution hitches help to keep the trailer lined up with your truck or SUV, which improves the level of driver control in just about every driving situation. These relatively simple hitch assemblies help to keep the trailer more stable when steering or braking, while also preventing trailer sway at higher speeds.

Really, if you pull a larger trailer with any frequency, there is simply no reason to not have a weight distribution hitch, as they only make the towing experience safer for everyone on the road. The hard part may be picking the right hitch for your applications, so to help out, we have put together a list of the 10 best weight distribution hitch options on sale today.

Lead photo by Mino Surkala/Shutterstock.com

The best weight distribution hitch on the market today is the Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch. This is not the most intricate weight distribution hitch that you can get, but that is one of the reasons why it is our favorite. It offers incredible protection against trailer sway and other unwanted trailer motion without extensive adjustments.

This weight distribution hitch Equal-i-zer features the brand’s 4-point control system while most of the competitors have a 3-point system. This is achieved by the unique ball mount, which has a two-tiered mounting design. That protects against any violent up and down movement by the front of the trailer while the spring bars running from the hitch ball mount to the mounting points on the trailer protects against trailer sway without any additional components. The lack of an additional sway control component makes it much easier to backing up or in tight turning situations, so in just about every way, this unit is more user friendly.

The graduated brackets of the Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control Hitch for the trailer make mounting and adjusting a breeze, while steel construction makes the entire system very durable. Everything needed for installation is included with the kit, but you will need to provide hitch ball. The included shank allows up to three inches of drop or seven inches of rise and this particular model of the Equal-i-zer 4-point has a 12,000-pound towing limit and a 1,200-pound maximum tongue weight rating.

The only downside is the cost, as the best weight distribution hitch is also one of the most expensive on the market, with prices in the $800 range.

If your key concern is mitigating trailer sway, the EAZ LIFT 48059 1,200 lbs Elite Kit is the best weight distribution hitch for you. This hitch setup comes with an adjustable trailer sway control sliding arm that connects to both the tow vehicle and the trailer with an extra set of hitch balls. The sway control arm has a pair of adjustments which allow you to fine tune the amount of movement allowed by the hitch assembly while the rest of the assembly helps to control any side-to-side motion that occurs during the drive.

The EAZ LIFT 48059 1,200 lbs Elite Kit features a pair of bent bars which connect to the adjustable ball mount. Those bars connect to the trailer brackets with a set of chains and a simple latch system with an all-steel construction. The chains also make for easy fitment and adjustment of the trailer-end of the system. This system is easily disconnected when not needed and, unlike some systems, the EAZ LIFT kit isn’t noisy when in action. The adjustable hitch comes with all of the hardware needed, including the hitch ball, while the adjustable shank allows for 2.5 inches of drop and 5.5 inches of rise. Best of all, this kit has a 12,000-pound towing limit and a 1,200-pound maximum tongue weight rating, so it will work with most common car, livestock and equipment trailers.

One of the biggest issues with the best weight distribution hitches is that they are heavy, making them hard to install or remove on your own and harder to stow when not in use. The Andersen Hitches No-Sway Weight Distribution Hitch solves that problem better than any other option, thanks to the chain-based design. Unlike most other hitch assemblies, which have metal bars or tubes which provide the extra support of the trailer weight, this Andersen Hitches unit uses chains and a far more compact hitch ball and mounting design. The chains and smaller ball mount make this kit much lighter than the competitors, but it does so without compromising function.

The chains of the Andersen Hitches No-Sway Weight Distribution Hitch connect to the trailer by means of a set of one-piece brackets that integrate the chain mounts and on the vehicle end, the chains connect to a plate that mounts to the bottom of the unique ball mounting unit. When you don’t need the weight distributing aspect of this system, you just pull the pin from the bottom of the hitch mount on the vehicle and you are left with a normal functioning hitch setup. This hitch setup is available with two different shanks, offering either a 4- or 8-inch drop or rise, so you will want to make sure you buy the right unit. If you drive a high-riding truck or SUV, you will want the 8-inch drop option. This kit offers a 1,400-pound maximum tongue weight and overall towing capacity of 14,000 pounds.

The only real downside is that this kit costs north of $600, so while it offers excellent trailer control and it is easier to handle due to the lightweight construction, it is one of the costlier options on our list.

There are many options when you are shopping for the best weight distribution hitch for your needs, but if you are looking to save money, the Husky 31423 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch is a great choice. This kit retails for a fraction of some of the others on this list. Realistically, if you tow often, it makes sense to spend more on the best hitch on the market, but for those who will only use a weight distribution hitch once in a while, this Husky kit will do the job.

The Husky 31423 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch has a very traditional design, with trailer brackets that clamp down over the frame rails and a swiveling latch assembly, which connects to short chains for easy adjustment. The chains are attached to a set of round spring bars that extend up to the hitch mount, which features a two-tier mounting design on the shank, leading to better control of the trailer during braking and cornering. Also, if you want to accessorize your hitch assembly, you can buy an adjustable Husky sway control arm that will work with this kit.

This inexpensive Husky weight distribution hitch offers up to 2 3/8 inches of drop and 5 5/8 inches of rise, with a maximum tongue weight of 1,200 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds.

If you are a fan of the Husky brand, but you want a weight distribution hitch that offers better sway control than our Best Budget Pick, the 32218 Center Line TS hitch is a great option. It is absolutely nothing like the Husky hitch mentioned above, taking a higher tech approach to controlling trailer sway and diving while braking. It costs more than the Husky 31423, but it is still on the lower end of the price scale for this list.

The Husky 32218 Center Line TS kit begins with a set of trailer brackets that have graduated arms extending down to the spring bars, allowing for quick and easy height adjustment on the trailer side. The spring bars rest in guide brackets at the bottom of the arms and extend up to the vehicle where they mount into a uniquely shaped ball hitch mount. Rather than a flat surface with the ball mounted at a 90-degree angle relative to the mounting surface, the ball of the Husky 32218 kit is on an elevated pedestal. The mounting plate is angled downward, creating a smooth flow from the hitch mount down to the spring bars. There is also a second plate below the spring bar bolt, adding an extra point of contact and better control against trailing diving and swaying.

This kit comes with an all-in-one tool that makes it easy to install or remove the weight distribution hitch, or to make adjustments to the height of the spring bars. The Husky 32218 Center Line TS kit has a maximum tongue weight of 1,200 pounds and can handle a trailer load of up to 12,000 pounds.

If you feel that the best weight distribution hitch for you is a sturdy trunnion style unit, the Fastway e2 is one that you should check out. It is one of the pricier hitches on our list, but it is also one of the heavier duty units, with beefier components from front to rear. This allows for better control during braking and cornering, removing the need for additional sway control components while the heavy duty construction will provide years of service.

The Fastway e2 92-00-1200 Trunnion Weight Distribution Hitch clamps onto the trailer with a set of rigid, graduated brackets that allow you to easily raise or lower the contact point for the trunnion bars. The bars connect to the ball hitch mount with a pair of thick plates that connect to the shank. The top plate serves as the ball mount location while the lower plate provides extra supporting against trailing diving or swaying. When coupled with the sliding trunnion bars, the Fastway e2 prevents violent trailer sway without any additional components or add-ons. More importantly, the compact design doesn’t reduce ground clearance and the lack of chains makes it easy to install or remove in a hurry.

The Fastway e2 92-00-1200 is rated for a tongue weight of 1,200 pounds and a maximum trailer weight of 12,000 pounds.

If you are shopping on a tight budget for the best weight distribution hitches for your needs and adjustable trailer sway control is a key concern, the CURT 17063 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch is likely your best choice. This hitch kit comes with all of the normal features of other weight distribution hitches, but it also comes with a sway control arm with fine tuning adjustments to the amount of side-to-side trailer movement allowed.

While many weight distribution hitches on the market today offer excellent sway control without any additional components that are designed specifically to prevent trailer sway, you might be a driver who really wants that extra protection. Say that you spend lots of time pulling a loaded car trailer through an area with high winds. Having a component that allows you to fine tune the sway control adds safety and peace of mind. The problem is that many hitches which come with sway control components come with a hefty price tag. The CURT 17063 kit includes a sway control arm and all of the other components needed for a price in the mid-$300 range.

The CURT 17063 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch kit uses a traditional clamp-over style mount on the trailer side, with swiveling fasteners for the adjustable chains. The chains connect to spring bars which travel up to the hitch mount, where they are connected to the hitch by means of lubricated pivot points. This allows you to keep the spring bar movement points well lubricated with a pair or normal grease fittings, cutting down on both noise and wear-and-tear. The spring bar pivot points also create a two-point mounting system for the hitch ball, making the entire system stronger and allowing more even weight distribution.

Finally, the sway control arm attaches to the side of the basic assembly with a set of smaller hitch balls – one on the hitch mount and the other on the trailer. All hardware needed for installation and use is included. This CURT hitch has a maximum tongue weight of 1,400 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds.

If you are regularly towing heavy loads that reach 15,000 pounds, the Blue Ox BXW1500 SWAYPRO is likely the best weight distributing hitch for your needs. This is the strongest hitch on our list, with a 1,500-pound maximum tongue weight and the ability to handle a 15,000-pound trailer, keeping it in-line when cruising down the highway or when making a hard stop.

On the trailer side, the Blue Ox BXW1500 SWAYPRO weight distributing hitch has very beefy, heavy duty brackets that clamp onto the trailer frame while a simple pin system allows you to adjust the length and tension on the chains. Those chains connect to a pair of spring bars that curve up into the bottom of the two-tier ball hitch mounting point, with the bushing end of the bars sandwiched between a pair of steel plates. This allows great control against diving under braking, trailer sway in high winds and even jackknifing when making a tight turn.

The only real downside to the Blue Ox BXW1500 SWAYPRO weight distributing hitch is the cost, as this unit is one of the more expensive options on our list. However, it has a higher maximum load capacity than any other hitch discussed here and it does cost less than some hitches that can do less.

If you use your weight distribution hitch on a variety of different vehicles and trailers, and you are concerned about longevity and you would like to keep your costs down, the Reese Pro 49903 Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit with Sway Control is your best option. This kit comes with both a hitch shank and trailer brackets that have graduated adjustment points, so this hitch will work on a wide variety of trailers and making those adjustments from one vehicle to the next is simple. Also, this kit has lubrication points where the spring bars connect to the hitch mount, helping to reduce wear-and-tear and unwanted noise.

The Reese Pro 49903 Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit with Sway Control has graduated brackets that clamp onto the trailer frame, allowing for easy height adjustment of the sliding end of the spring bars. There are no chains, as these bars move in a channel of sorts, preventing sway. Those bars travel up to the hitch mounting area, where they connect in a pivot point which is mounted in two pieces of steel. The upper steel plate holds the hitch ball while the lower provides added support for improved control against trailer dive while braking.

Lubrication points on each side cut down on noise while also preventing excessive wear to the internal moving parts. The shank also offers a graduated adjustment system, so you can make fine tuning adjustments on both ends of this system, which is ideal for anyone who pulls different trailers with different vehicles.

The pricing for the Reese Pro 49903 Round Bar Weight Distribution Kit with Sway Control is right in the middle as far as our list goes, which is impressive for a kit of this level. The maximum tongue weight is 1,000 pounds and the maximum towing capacity is 11,500 pounds.

If you want to spend the least amount of money possible on the best weight distribution hitch for your needs, and your needs include pulling a trailer with a tongue weight below 750 pounds, the Ultra Fab 35-946225 Weight Distribution Hitch is the one for you. However, while it costs less, it is still a solid option if you pull a lighter trailer.

This Ultra Fab distribution hitch kit connects to the trailer with a traditional clamp-over style bracket that contains the swivel style connection for the adjustable chains. Those chains are connected to tapered spring bars which join the hitch mount assembly on the tow vehicle with pivot points that can be lubricated for improved longevity and less noise during operation. The hitch mount bolts to the shank with an array of positions, allowing you to level the hitch at the vehicle as well as at the trailer.

Finally, this Ultra Fab weight distribution hitch can be combined with an adjustable sway control arm, as the ball hitch mount has additional, pre-drilled holes for the sway control ball as well.

Why Do You Need a Weight Distribution Hitch?

The worst case scenario with the traditional single-point connection is when you are driving at speeds and the trailer begins to sway. This can be caused by a sudden gust of wind or another vehicle passing at speed. Once the trailer begins to sway, incorrect attempts to stop the swaying can actually worsen the issue and when the sway becomes severe enough, it can cause the tow vehicle to spin out of control.

All of these problems can be prevented with one of the best weight distribution hitches on the market today.

How a Weight Distribution Hitch Works

The best weight distribution hitch options start with the basic ball-and-coupler hitch connection, but there is also a pair of bars that extend from the front of the trailer to the rear of your truck or SUV. These bars attach to the tow vehicle near the hitch ball, pivoting to allow movement on the front. On the trailer side, the bar is attached to the trailer with a pair of chains or brackets that provide adjustable levels of tension.

With the weight distribution hitch in place, your truck and trailer are connected at three or more points rather than just one, helping to prevent the trailer from diving under braking or from swaying at highway speeds.

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