Table of Contents
How Does The EAZ Lift Recurve Work?
The EAZ Lift Recurve system is produced by Camco, one of the leading manufacturers of trailer hitches. Camco makes three Recurve systems, the R3, and the R6. The R3 has sway control adjustable by turning an allen head bolt. The R6 system has adaptive sway control that automatically shuts on and off in response to trailer sway.
Overview
The Recurve system differs from most weight distribution systems because it uses top-loading spring bars that connect from the side of the hitch unit to the side of the trailer tongue frame. Camco claims that this setup provides the best ground clearance (we would expect that since the arms are not positioned below the frame but over it - thank you, Captain Obvious). Camco also insists that the R3 weight distribution hitch does a better job of controlling sway and it or eliminates noise (which is a common complaint among owners of anti-sway hitches). While we agree that the streamlined design makes for an attractive hitch on the back of the tow vehicle, the proof is not in how the hitch looks but in how it performs (more on that later).
The Recurve R3 comes in various weight levels from 400 - 1,500 lbs tongue weight. The kit comes with a 2 5/16” hitch ball included. The Recurve hitch is made from steel alloy and has a black powder coat finish to prevent corrosion or weatherization.
Hitch Head
The hitch head weighs nearly 90 lbs, which is not unheard of for these kinds of ball mounts. The hitch unit fits into any 2” receiver tube, has an adjustable shank, and has a moveable hitch ball height. The entire ball mount rotates side to side and up and down, which is an added benefit to help keep the trailer level with the truck no matter what kind of terrain you are traversing.
Spring Arms
As mentioned earlier, the spring bars are curved (like other systems you may have seen), but instead of mounting into a small receiver tube under the hitch head, they are inverted to the top. The top loading spring bars have a groove in them so that you simply insert them into the holder (parallel to the truck bumper or 90 degrees to the hitch), press down until the arm locks into place, and then turn the bar in the right direction toward the trailer tongue. (Let me share some good advice - I always like to do a tug test and pull up on the bar several times to ensure it is securely locked).
The bars are tapered toward the other end (next to the trailer frame) with a bolt situated through the spring arm. The bolt fits between two mounting brackets (called saddle brackets) bolted into place on the side of the tongue’s frame. The spring arms rest in a saddle bracket and then are held into place with a lynchpin with a tethered cotter-style locking mechanism. (We loved the idea that the cotter pins were tethered to the bracket so they cannot be misplaced).
Mounting Brackets
The brackets on the side of the trailer tongue’s frame are high-strength steel plates. The brackets mount on either side of the frame with bolts, and armrests in a secondary bracket is bolted to the outside brace. The brackets are wide enough to provide a solid surface contact and hold everything in place, but they are not as large as the braces that other systems, like Blue Ox, use. The bar stays in place because the lynchpin holds the bolt that extends down from the end of the spring arm. (There have been no reports of any failure of this latching system if you are concerned about stability).
Sway Control
Sway control happens from the hitch head and can be adjusted by an allen wrench set screw. The advantage of this manual anti-sway system is that the owner tunes as much sway control as they wish. However, you may have to manually adjust the setting if you begin to tow and still feel the trailer swaying.
One of the issues with this type of weight distribution hitch is that you have to loosen the trailer sway control screw before you make any sharp turns in reverse. (If you have ever tried to back your trailer into a campsite and had to navigate a turn, you know our pain. Most owners just go ahead and remove the bars before backing into the campsite - this is our biggest complaint about the system).
Installation
The installation process is not complicated and can be done with minimal effort. The biggest concern we have is that it is easy for owners not to adequately lock the recurve bars into place. If a bar becomes loose, it can cause severe damage to the entire system. (In fairness, the same thing can happen in almost any wd hitch). For an excellent installation tutorial, see this youtube video.
How Good Is the Recurve R3 At Handling Sway Control?
Most online reviewers who have used the hitch on their travel trailer claim it does an excellent job controlling sway issues. The bars sit well on the side of the tongue frame, and the internal sway control adapts well to help minimize the effects of windy conditions or passing tractor-trailers.
The Recurve R3 has a 4.5 rating on Amazon and is listed as #31 in the towing hitch balls category. (For a direct link to the Amazon site, please click on EAZ Lift Recurve R3).
Many manufacturers will tell you that some noise is normal). But the pleasant surprise with the Recurve is that we didn’t hear any noise at all. Many other online reviews have commented on how quiet the hitch is, and in our books, that’s a big plus).
In addition, the EAZ-Lift comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Are There Any Issues With the Recurve R3?
Other than the two issues already mentioned (potential unlocking of spring arms and releasing sway control before reversing), the only other issue that has come up is the condition of the package when shipped. Amazon and Home Depot online sites have negative reviews concerning damaged goods or beat-up boxes. Even though the reviews indicated that Camco fixed the problem, the company should find another shipping carrier.
Where Is The EAZ-Lift Made?
Camco is one of the leading manufacturers of trailer hitches and accessories and is based out of Greensboro, NC. The company began in 1966 with an antifreeze product and has morphed into a large RV company with multiple companies like Camping Essentials, Rhino, Crooked Creek, FasTen, and more. They have facilities from North Carolina to Indiana to China and Viet Nam.
The company does have excellent customer service and is responsive to customers’ concerns. In addition, they provide a youtube video detailing installation on their website.
What Does the EAZ Lift System Cost?
The R3 weight distribution will cost you around $400 -$450, which puts this hitch on the budget-friendly side of weight-distributing systems. (The Recurve R6 with automatic sway control is almost triple at $1100).
