The Complete Buyers Guide To Caravan Weight Distribution Hitches

If the back of your tow vehicle sags when you hitch up, your headlights point at the treetops, or the rig feels light and skittish through the front end, a weight distribution hitch is what fixes it. A WDH spreads your caravan’s tow ball weight back across the tow vehicle’s front axle and the van’s axles instead of dumping it all on the rear, which restores your steering, braking and ride height. This guide covers when you actually need one, what to look for, and the best weight distribution hitches in Australia for 2026.

What A WDH Does (And When You Need One)

A weight distribution hitch uses spring bars under tension to take the download pressing on your tow ball and spread it forward onto the tow vehicle’s front axle and back onto the van’s axles. The result is a level rig: the vehicle sits back down on its front wheels, so your steering bites, your headlights aim where they should, your brakes work properly and the whole combination feels planted instead of tail-heavy.

You need one if your van is heavy on the tow ball and your rig sits nose-up or tail-down once hitched, or feels vague and wandery to steer. Most caravans put 8 to 10% of their loaded weight on the ball, which on a 2.5-tonne van is 200 to 250kg pressing straight down on the back of your car. That’s enough to upset most tow vehicles.

You may not need one if your van’s tow ball weight is comfortably within your vehicle’s limits and the rig already tows level and stable. Don’t fit a WDH just because everyone else has one. And to be clear about what it can’t do: a WDH redistributes weight, it does not raise your legal towing capacity or your tow ball download limit. You still have to be within every rating.

What To Look For When Buying

Getting the right WDH is mostly about matching it correctly to your rig. Here’s what matters.

The Best Weight Distribution Hitches For 2026

Prices vary with the kit rating and whether you buy the shank separately, so treat these as a guide and match the kit to your ball weight.

1

Best Overall

~$450–800

Hayman Reese Weight Distribution System

The Australian gold standard

Hayman Reese has been making weight distribution systems in Australia for over 70 years, and it’s the default choice for good reason. The range runs by ball weight, so you pick the kit that brackets your loaded van: the 600lb (135–275kg) is far and away the most popular, with the 800lb (275–365kg) and 1200lb (up to 545kg) for heavier rigs. The cast head has an integrated friction sway tab and works with Hayman Reese’s Dual Cam sway control if you want more. Round and trunnion bar options give clearance for off-road chassis, DO35 and McHitch posts are available, and the whole lot is backed by a lifetime warranty with parts available almost everywhere.

Ball Weight

135–545kg (by kit)

Bars

Round or trunnion

Sway

Friction tab + Dual Cam option

Warranty

Lifetime

✔ Pros

• Australian made and engineered for our conditions
• Full range to match any ball weight
• DO35 and McHitch posts available
• Lifetime warranty, parts everywhere

✗ Cons

• Add-on sway control costs extra
• Choosing the right kit and shank takes some measuring

Our verdict: The safe, sensible choice for almost everyone. Match it to your ball weight and you can’t go wrong.

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2

Best Value

~$350–550

Eaz-Lift Recurve R3

Integrated, adjustable sway control for less

Eaz-Lift is a long-established American brand widely available here, and the Recurve R3 is the value pick because it builds adjustable sway control straight into the hitch. A simple clamp lets you dial in how much sway resistance you want, so you don’t need a separate friction unit. It uses round bars suited to top-mounted couplings and 6″ draw bars, levels the rig the same as any quality WDH, and comes in at a noticeably lower price than the premium options. A solid choice if you want weight distribution and sway in one without the top-tier spend.

Type

Round bar

Sway

Integrated, adjustable

Best Suits

Top-mount couplings

Origin

US import

✔ Pros

• Built-in adjustable sway control
• Cheaper than premium rivals
• Simple to dial in
• Widely stocked

✗ Cons

• Less local support than Hayman Reese
• Round bars suit top-mount A-frames best

Our verdict: The smart buy if you want weight distribution and sway control in one affordable kit.

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3

Best Integrated Sway

~$550–800

Fastway e2

Weight distribution and sway in one unit

The Fastway e2 bakes two points of sway control into the hitch itself, using the bars and brackets to resist sway rather than relying on a bolt-on friction bar. It comes in round or trunnion bar versions to suit different A-frames, sets up without separate sway hardware, and has a strong following among travellers who want a clean, all-in-one system. It sits between the Eaz-Lift and the premium four-point options on both price and performance.

Type

Round or trunnion

Sway

Integrated, 2-point

Setup

No separate sway bar

Origin

US import

✔ Pros

• Sway control built in, no add-ons
• Round or trunnion bar options
• Clean, all-in-one setup
• Well regarded by long-haul travellers

✗ Cons

• Dearer than the Eaz-Lift
• Less local parts support than Hayman Reese

Our verdict: A tidy all-in-one if you want integrated sway and the budget stretches past the Eaz-Lift.

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Also Worth A Look

For the strongest sway control money can buy, the Equal-i-zer uses a four-point system built into the hitch and is a premium favourite for heavy or sway-prone rigs, though you’ll pay for it. At the other end, the Andersen No-Sway is a lightweight chain-tension system that’s far easier to hook up and quieter than spring bars, popular with anyone who finds a traditional WDH a pain to connect, though it’s a premium price for the convenience. Both are worth a look if the big three above don’t quite fit your needs.

Quick Comparison

The Verdict

For most big lappers with a heavy-nosed on-road tourer, buy a Hayman Reese Weight Distribution System matched to your loaded tow ball weight. It’s Australian made, backed for life, supported everywhere, and it just works. If you’d rather have weight distribution and sway control in one and save some money, the Eaz-Lift Recurve R3 is the value pick, with the Fastway e2 a step up for an integrated all-in-one.

Whatever you choose, the rules are the same: match the kit to your ball weight, set it up properly so the rig sits level, and remember a WDH doesn’t raise any of your weight limits. If you head off the blacktop with an articulating coupling, disconnect the spring bars first, and always check your vehicle and van both allow a WDH before you fit one. Sway control is a related but separate topic, so if that’s your main worry, read on.