Loud creaking and groaning when turning

[Bearcat55]

I have a brand new equalizer e2 wdh and whenever I'm driving slowly through a campground and making turns, the creaking noise is horrible. Anything I can do to eliminate this or minimize it at least. Also, should I lubricate the hitch ball or any other pieces of the hitch setup ? Thanks for you help!!

[OldCoot]

Would only lube the hitch ball. The rest of the noise is normal and everyone understands what it is if you are worried about disturbing anyone. If you come into a cg late at night, you might consider loosening the hitch bars for the short distance inside the cg.

[backin15]

Try a pair of these: Sway Bracket Jacket (pair) : Equal-i-zer Hitch Store
They help a lot!

[Happy Vibe]

As far a lubricating if you have the round bars the manual says to lubricate the end of the bars that go into the hitch head

[feerobk]

I have the same hitch and was having the same trouble I greased the sockets for the weight bars in the hitch head took care of the noise.

[tony4pyro]

Are you supposed to grease any parts of an Equalizer hitch? I thought the whole premise of this hitch was the steel on steel friction. My Equalizer hitch could also wake the dead when I am turning in the campground, but I am hesitant to grease any part of it, for fear that I may compromise its functionality. Am I correct in thinking this?

[troyt]

Originally Posted by tony4pyro

Are you supposed to grease any parts of an Equalizer hitch? I thought the whole premise of this hitch was the steel on steel friction. My Equalizer hitch could also wake the dead when I am turning in the campground, but I am hesitant to grease any part of it, for fear that I may compromise its functionality. Am I correct in thinking this?

According to Equal-i-zer: Utilizing lubrication on the Equal-i-zer L-Bracket, in the form of the Sway Bracket Jacket or any grease type lubricant, will likely lessen or decrease your sway control by a small degree. Steel on steel is the highest level of friction, steel on lubricated steel second, and steel on plastic third (but also the cleanest). The hitch head can be lubricated, as per the instructions, with no detriment to sway control.

I agree though. Very noisy.

[tony4pyro]

This weekend was our second time out with our new travel trailer and Equalizer hitch. Both times I have noticed that the creaking and groaning while making slow turns is really, really loud. I am worried about lubricating any part of the hitch, because I do not want to take away the friction that makes the sway control work. I guess I just need some verification from fellow forum members that this loud creaking and groaning is normal, and that nothing can or should be done to prevent it. Please reaffirm for me, and if there is something I can do to reduce the noise, let me know. It just seems like it is slightly worse than when I first brought the new trailer home, but that could be in my head. I just do not notice other people's hitches making as much noise as mine does. Am I nuts?

[BlakeB]

Very normal... Mine does the same. If you have an actual Equal-I-zer hitch then it is 4 point sway and those four points are metal on metal friction (creates the anti-sway).

In short...if it creaks and groans you know its workin!

[feerobk]

I greased the parts of the hitch head only not the L-brackets light grease on ball and shaft in the receiver and sockets were the bars go into the head and no more noise.

[bikendan]

check out the Equalizer website. they have suggestions there, including bracket jackets to help with the noise.

but as was said, this is pretty normal for most WDHs.

[Whiteknight]

I grease the hitch ball and the friction surfaces were the bar sockets pivot (light coat), thats all. I haven't noticed any loud noises from mine. I think I am correct from what my manual says on page 23:

Step 9 - Regular Maintenance:
The friction surfaces of the head and sockets should be kept clean and well lubricated with a good quality lubricant. They should be lubricated before each trip. Check for damage or abnormal wear at the beginning of each towing day and replace if necessary. Use a rag to clean dirt and road grit from all friction surfaces regularly.
All nuts and bolts should be checked before each towing day and re-tightened or replaced if necessary.

[1l243]

I may be mis-understanding your question but I add grease where the sway bars go into the head. If your running friction anti sway bars, they make a lot of noise normally. You can loosen them till you get out of the campground and also when backing up..


If you grease where the bars go into the head you will be much more quiet. In fact I don't get any noise at all. Before I added grease it cracked and groaned. I also added anti sway bars. They really make noise. All you can do with them is loosen them when leaving the campground or driving through town and when backing up for sure..

[Old car]

tony4pyro, first time I heard that noise on my Equalizer I thought I was pulling the undercarriage out from under the truck and/or trailer. I was told by a dealer (whom I did not buy from) that if you hear noise, the system is working. I was told about Bracket Jacket also but have not tried them.

[Vern]

Our Equalizer 4 with sway control proudly announces our arrivals and departures (at every turn), but a little less so if I've got it lubed properly. I agree it is normal. Smile and wave, knowing it probably sounds worse to you than to those who are staring at you.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Bearcat55

I have a brand new equalizer e2 wdh and whenever I'm driving slowly through a campground and making turns, the creaking noise is horrible. Anything I can do to eliminate this or minimize it at least. Also, should I lubricate the hitch ball or any other pieces of the hitch setup ? Thanks for you help!!

When I towed with the Equal-i-zer hitch I used their lithium grease to lube the sockets. The plastic "jackets" are also worth the investment.

The Parts Store - EQUALIZER LUBE GREASE

Sway Bracket Jackets for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - Qty 2 Equal-i-zer Accessories and Parts EQ95-01-5150

[tony4pyro]

I had to come back and tell everyone that I did go ahead and grease the area of the hitch where the sway bars pivot on the hitch head, and the noise is completely gone! I did not notice any difference in sway control, and I am far less embarrassed driving through the campgrounds now. Whew! Too bad I waited so long to try this simple remedy.

[OldCoot]

Old rule of thumb: If it swivels or turns, grease it. If it slides, don't grease it.