All About the Blue Ox Weight Distribution Hitch
Buyer’s Guide, Comparison and Advice
The Blue Ox brand is known for its durable goods that operate well under pressure. It also covers a variety of markets from agriculture and commercial to national defense and the automotive aftermarket.
If you want a quiet and safe journey, the SwayPro range from Blue Ox is the perfect weight distribution hitch on the market. Blue Ox weight distribution hitches have a safe design and an easy-to-use application.
This article focuses on weight distribution hitches and how Blue Ox provides various towing solutions. Continue reading for a review of the various Blue Ox weight distribution hitch models.
Blue Ox Weight Distribution Hitch Reviews
In 1926, Rollie McQuistan founded Blue Ox. At that time, it was known as Automatic Curry & Dipping Machine. Today, it is a leading manufacturer of hitching, braking, towing, and steering products with quality workmanship at the forefront. They do everything they can to ensure customer satisfaction.
Top 4 Blue Ox hitches
# 1. Blue Ox BXW1000 SwayPro Weight Distribution Hitch
This weight distribution hitch will inhibit your trailer from swaying. It relies on tension to keep the spring rods tight, and brackets keep the trailer in line with the vehicle towing it.
It uses weight distribution and integrated pendulum protection for the trailer. It was carefully designed by a computer and has been optimized to offer the best quality of safety and weight distribution for the trailer without any additional adjustments.
Sway protection has been incorporated into the coupling head and is constructed in such a way that you can easily access and tighten the coupling ball as needed. The stabilizer bar is designed so that the load on one can be higher than the other, and the hitch will still keep the trailer centered and in line with the vehicle in the case of a trailer swing.
Pros:
- It helps you avoid fishtailing by keeping everything in line.
- Actively works without making any noise.
- The hitch’s spring bars are self-locking, making it simple to connect.
- Provides excellent backup.
Cons:
- It takes time to work.
- Quite Expensive.
# 2. Blue Ox BXW1500 SWAYPRO Weight Distributing Hitch
This weight distribution hitch will inhibit your trailer from swaying. It relies on tension to keep the spring rods tight, and brackets keep the trailer in line with the vehicle towing it.
It uses weight distribution and integrated pendulum protection for the trailer. It was carefully designed by a computer and has been optimized to offer the best quality of safety and weight distribution for the trailer without any additional adjustments.
Sway protection has been incorporated into the coupling head and is constructed in such a way that you can easily access and tighten the coupling ball as needed. The stabilizer bar is designed so that the load on one can be higher than the other, and the hitch will still keep the trailer centered and in line with the vehicle in the case of a trailer swing.
The built-in antiroll bars in the Blue Ox BX 1000 are much safer than traditional anti-roll bars and can decrease trailer sway. However, they do not ensure the trailer remains in line with the towing vehicle.
The Blue Ox BXW 1000 Weight Distribution Hitch uses spring bars to stop swaying before it starts and keep the trailer in line by pushing it inward.
The hitch head and caliper lock are automatically included. This hitch will suit your needs if you have a trailer with a coupler already attached to the top of the frame and doesn’t have a tongue or equipment lock cross member.
Pros:
- It helps you avoid fishtailing by keeping everything in line.
- Actively works without making any noise.
- The hitch’s spring bars are self-locking, making it simple to connect.
- Provides excellent backup.
Cons:
- It takes time to work.
- Quite Expensive.
# 3. Blue Ox BXW2000 SWAYPRO Weight Distributing Hitch
The BXW2000 swaypro hitch is a remarkable hitch that distributes tongue weight evenly.
Blue Ox offers six different weight bars, ranging in size from 350 pounds to 2000 pounds. A hitch ball tightening option is also included, and an open head design for easier access. Therefore, when a large load is placed in one of the sidebars, the BXW2000 ensures that the trailer pivots. It also prevents unnecessary swaying and allows for timely balance. Its open head design ensures that consumers would not require any more manual adjustments.
Pros:
- There are six distinct weight bar options available.
- Sway control eliminates any unwelcome trailer movement.
- Heavy-duty, powder-coated steel stinger comes with a lifetime warranty.
- There’s no need to fine-tune the hitch head because it’s already adjusted.
- Spring steel structure provides a softer, comfortable ride
Cons:
- It has a 2.52.5 shank, which isn’t suited for trucks.
# 4. Blue Ox BXW1350 TrackPro Weight Distributing Hitch
One of the most impressive features of the BXW1350 TrackPro is its optimal backup without disconnections. It includes spring bars manufactured of spring steels. As a result, this product will always have a high yield strength. Furthermore, your trailers will stay on track during the journey.
The BXW1350 has built-in soft ride technology that ensures a smooth ride in any circumstance. So, if you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, choose Blue Ox TrackPro.
The BXW1350 is a useful weight distribution kit with a tongue capacity of up to 1300 lbs. Furthermore, you will not require any sway control and will be able to complete your weight distribution work without difficulty.
Pros:
- Makes the procedure of weight distribution simple.
- It fits perfectly without causing any issues.
- The built-in soft-riding technology ensures a comfortable ride.
- You won’t need an extra sway control, and you’ll be able to back up without disconnecting.
Cons:
- A little pricey
Is it Necessary to Use a Weight Distribution Hitch?
While it’s true that standard hitch receivers are acceptable for most towing applications, it’s not necessarily safe when heavier loads (over 5,000 pounds) are involved. This is a situation where you will want to use a weight-distribution hitch.
If you consult the owner’s manual of your trailer, you’ll find that it’s necessary to use a weight-distribution hitch for loads exceeding a gross trailer weight of 5,000 pounds. The gross trailer weight, or GTW, is the total weight of your fully-loaded trailer.
Most weight distribution hitches have sway control, which means there’s little to no sway, the vehicle and trailer are more level, steering and stopping are improved, and there’s less play in the vehicle.
Controlling Sway with Weight Distribution Hitch
When a trailer moves laterally, it creates sway, resulting in high rotational force levels between the trailer and the vehicle.
A weight distribution hitch with integrated stabilizers creates rotational friction between the spring arm on the hitch and the mounting bracket on the trailer’s frame. You can adjust the force of the sway bars with the dampening handle, which reduces sway
Is it Dangerous for a Trailer to be Unlevel?
You may be wondering if it’s all that dangerous to drive a vehicle with an unlevel trailer. The short answer is yes, it is dangerous. However, let’s take a closer look at everything that could go wrong.
Not only does a squatting/unlevel trailer or vehicle look terrible, but it also puts you and everyone around you in danger. If there’s too much weight on the hitch ball, the trailer applies excessive force to the rear of the vehicle when turning or slowing down, which shoves the vehicle all over the place.
If you have a dual axle trailer, it can put too much strain on one axle, which can end up breaking the axle. Finally, it can also put too much weight on one set of tires, which means you could end up with a blowout.
When the back of your vehicle is sagging, the front end is pointing up, which means it’s harder to see at night because the lights are pointing higher than they are supposed to, and braking distances are increased. As a result, you end up having to make quick stops to avoid an accident.
So, yes- an unlevel trailer is dangerous, and there’s no reason for it. Don’t put yourself under that stress. Don’t put yourself and others in danger. Avoid these situations by investing in a weight-distribution hitch with sway control.
How to Install a Weight Distribution Hitch
When it comes to weight distribution hitch installation, most of them follow certain industry procedures. Still, you may find that some hitches are easier to install than others. Below are the standard steps for the proper installation of a weight-distribution hitch.
Measure Height of Trailer and Towing Vehicle
Be sure that the trailer and the vehicle are on flat, level ground to measure the distance from the bottom of the vehicle and trailer to the ground. You’ll want to find the distance between the coupler and the ground and then measure the distance between the ground and the rear bumper, as well as the distance between the ground and the front bumper.
Attach Shank and Hitch Head
Now, you’re going to take the shank of the hitch and insert it into the receiver tube on the vehicle. You’ll want to ensure that it’s fully inserted and then secure it with a hitch pin and clip.
After securing the shank in the tube, you’ll want to position the head assembly over it, making sure that the head is raised, making the top of the ball 1 to 3 inches above the coupler.
Finally, mount the components using one bolt at the bottom to secure them- but don’t tighten the bolt with a nut.
Adjust the Head
Before doing this, check the instructions to find out if the head is pre-torqued. If so, you can skip over this step altogether.
If it has not been pre-torqued, you’ll want to pivot the head down and then place two washers on the rod and insert the rod along with the two washers in the lower hole of the head.
Now, rotate the head into the mounting position of the shank. You will know you did it right if the components are slightly tilted or straight.
Place the other bolt in the top of the hitch head and fasten with nuts and washers to secure.
Spring Bar Installation/Trailer Coupling
Take the spring bars and attach and mount them to the hitch head. Keep in mind that some hitches come with the spring bars already attached. After securing the spring bars, raise the trailer and couple the trailer to the ball on the back of the tow vehicle.
Raise the Trailer Jack
With the trailer jack, lift the coupling point on the trailer to meet the trailer ball on the back of the tow vehicle. Your coupler needs to be 3” above the recommended position.
Attach Spring Bar Chains
With the help of the chains- included in most packages- place the frame brackets on the trailer’s frame. Then, use the bolts in your kit to securely attach the brackets to the frame.
Attach the chains to the brackets, ensuring that both sides have the appropriate distance for proper vertical spacing. Use the lift handle to pry the brackets and secure the chains in their locked positions.
Fine-Tune the Hitch
At this point, the weight distribution hitch is installed- but you may need to do some fine-tuning. You can adjust the hitch by measuring the distance between the ground and the front and rear bumpers like you did when you were getting started.
The new distance should be approximately 1.5” less than the original measurement. If there is a more drastic difference, you can adjust the hitch head tilt if there’s a drastic difference between the two measurements.
Caring For Your Weight Distribution Hitch
Maintenance for your weight distribution hitch will depend on what it is made out of. For example, you may need to clean it frequently to maintain the structural integrity of the steel components. This requires using a soft sponge to apply warm soap and water to get the dirt and buildup off.
Some detergents are acceptable to use but avoid harsh chemicals as this can deteriorate the steel.
Additionally, be sure that you read through the instruction manual that came with your weight distribution hitch kit. If you did not receive an instruction manual with your hitch, you could look online for educational videos and manuals regarding the maintenance of your specific hitch.
Finally, you might want to cover the hitch with a sheet or tarp when you’re not using it, which will keep debris from falling into the frame. While it may not seem like a big deal, these tiny fragments potentially become hazardous, causing issues with the durability and performance of the hitch.
Conclusion
While a standard hitch is perfectly acceptable for towing loads under 5,000 pounds, when you exceed that, you will need a weight-distribution hitch. This will help keep your tow vehicle, and trailer level lined up. Blue Ox weight distribution hitches are an excellent option. They are easy to install, and most come standard with the sway pro feature to prevent the trailer from swaying.