Equalizer Brackets

trudinator · 05-10-2012, 07:45 AM

My DH noticed that the L brackets on our Equalizer are bending. We have an appointment next Wednesday to get them replaced by our dealer. He told us we could pick them up and put them on ourselves, but I think I want to leave this to the dealer. Any ideas on why they bent? Is the hitch not set up properly? Bad materials, etc.?

TURBS · 05-10-2012, 07:49 AM

To tight of turn hooked up?

**Herk7769** · 05-10-2012, 08:03 AM

Hard to tell from that photo, but IMHO it looks like the bracket might not have been installed properly.

There should be no space between the frame clamp and the frame and no space above or below the frame. There is a warning about this in the installation manual (page 14). The clamp bolts must be evenly torqued, top and bottom to avoid movement (like rocking) as pressure is put against the sides of the bracket when turning (figure 7c).

The clamp also looks upside down; now that I look at it (figure 8).

trudinator · 05-10-2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Hard to tell from that photo, but IMHO it looks like the bracket might not have been installed properly.

There should be no space between the frame clamp and the frame and no space above or below the frame. There is a warning about this in the installation manual (page 14). The clamp bolts must be evenly torqued, top and bottom to avoid movement (like rocking) as pressure is put against the sides of the bracket when turning (figure 7c).

The clamp also looks upside down; now that I look at it (figure 8).

Egads! Really???? I'm going to have my DH read this manual cover to cover before our trip to the dealer. If it turns out it was installed incorrectly, they are going to get an earful. We depend on, and trust them, to do this correctly. After all, THEY are the supposed "experts." This is our first TT, and I'm disappointed and dismayed that they would get something wrong on such an important component.

OldCoot · 05-10-2012, 08:57 AM

Even the cover picture on the instructions show that your bracket is upside down. I would print out the manual and take it with you and show the dealer the picture and point it out on your trailer.

Triguy · 05-10-2012, 09:24 AM

Is it the outside link plate or the the L bracket that is bent in Trudinator's picture? I can't tell in the picture posted above.

Here's a pic of a clearly bent outside link plate ...

baldy · 05-10-2012, 09:46 AM

Mine are different. Thicker.

gbpacker · 05-10-2012, 10:09 AM

Thought I had an answer to your question after reviewing my Onwer's Manual. Only thing I could find was that Progress Mfg. made a design change.

Mine is designed so that the outside link plate has a boxed enclosure through which the L-bracket passes through and is held in place with a 5/8" setscrew. This allows the L-bracket to move back and forth slightly.

After 10K of use we did notice that the inner and outer brackets were bent and could not clamp properly. We had the inner and outer brackets tack welded to the frame, and no more movement.

Finally, your L-bracket is installed in the proper position. Don't know way it is bent.

Triguy · 05-10-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbpacker

Thought I had an answer to your question after reviewing my Onwer's Manual. Only thing I could find was that Progress Mfg. made a design change.

Mine is designed so that the outside link plate has a boxed enclosure through which the L-bracket passes through and is held in place with a 5/8" setscrew. This allows the L-bracket to move back and forth slightly.

I believe that design change was 2009 or 2010.

trudinator · 05-10-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triguy

Is it the outside link plate or the the L bracket that is bent in Trudinator's picture? I can't tell in the picture posted above.

Here's a pic of a clearly bent outside link plate ...

From this picture, you can see the outside link plate is bending, just like your photo.

Triguy · 05-10-2012, 10:22 AM

Got it. So its not the L-Bracket.

The only thing I can think of is that the dealer installed incorrectly causing it to bend. As mentioned above, when the Link Pates are installed there should be no gaps between the A frame and the upper or lower bolts that hold the link plates onto the camper frame.

Also, If the link plates are tightened too much they will bow. I finger tightened mine when installing to ensure a good fit to the fame and then torqued to 60 ft-lbs (splitting the difference between the recommended 50-70ft-lbs).

Its possible that they overtightened. 50-70ft-lbs isn't hard to reach.

Triguy · 05-10-2012, 10:29 AM

By the way, doesn't your trailer have an A-style coupler?

If so, your link plates should be installed like the picture below. That might also be a problem that needs to be discussed with the dealer.

Of course, yours is currently correct if you have a B-style coupler.

bob213 · 05-10-2012, 10:59 AM

Progress Mfg. is known for their great customer service. Call them before you go back to the dealer (1-800-478-5578). You might even email them a picture and ask them to take a look. That way you will have "facts", not opinions, before you confront the dealer.

**Herk7769** · 05-10-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triguy

By the way, doesn't your trailer have an A-style coupler?

If so, your link plates should be installed like the picture below. That might also be a problem that needs to be discussed with the dealer.

Of course, yours is currently correct if you have a B-style coupler.

Yes, that is my point. The single hole in the clamp must rest on top of the frame; the frame height adjustment holes go on the bottom.

**Herk7769** · 05-10-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob213

Progress Mfg. is known for their great customer service. Call them before you go back to the dealer (1-800-478-5578). You might even email them a picture and ask them to take a look. That way you will have "facts", not opinions, before you confront the dealer.

Could not agree more. This one is worth the phone call/email because the dealer will be buying you some hitch parts.

jaxfl · 05-10-2012, 11:09 AM

2 things I see.

1 - the bolts connecting the L bracket are between the frame plate and the trame, making my #2 comment.

2 - with the bolts were they are it would cause a pivot point and the downward pressure on the L braket could cause the bending.

I don't think the frame brakets are long enough for the frame on your TT. This means improper installation.

**Herk7769** · 05-10-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxfl

This means improper installation.

This is my opinion as well based on the installation manual. The L-Brackets are supposed to "hang" from the top of the frame and thereby be supported by the frame sides. With the clamps upside down, the L-bracket can exert bending force on the clamp.

Using the last bolt hole on the clamp is not the problem; where the L-Bracket is attached to the clamp is...

sellis1053 · 05-11-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triguy

By the way, doesn't your trailer have an A-style coupler?

If so, your link plates should be installed like the picture below. That might also be a problem that needs to be discussed with the dealer.

Of course, yours is currently correct if you have a B-style coupler.

Just out of curiosity, do you know why the difference in assembly based on what style coupler? I'm having a problem getting enough weight distribution (front too high). I can't remember what type of coupler I have, but it's installed as if I have style B. I was going to raise the L bracket up a hole but couldn't. If the assembly was flipped, I would have leeway to do that.

**Herk7769** · 05-11-2012, 06:04 PM

According to the manual, if you have a "B" type coupler (couple low on the frame) or a "V" nose trailer, in order to keep the arms level with the frame member, you need to invert the frame clamps. It is an unusual coupler installation; and I forgot that arrangement is correct in certain situations.

Trudinator, a photo of the coupler would help clear this up.

sellis1053 · 05-11-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

According to the manual, if you have a "B" type coupler (couple low on the frame) or a "V" nose trailer, in order to keep the arms level with the frame member, you need to invert the frame clamps. It is an unusual coupler installation; and I forgot that arrangement is correct in certain situations.

Trudinator, a photo of the coupler would help clear this up.

Thanks,

If that's the only reason, do you see any problem with trying it to give me the ability to raise my L brackets?

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