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Old 10-07-2015, 03:16 PM   #1
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New to TT need help

I have a couple of ?? relating to equalizer hook ups. I have a 2014 Surveyor 220rbs

!. I hooked up yesterday to practice backing up and parking the TT and when driving the equalizer hitch was making loud noises like it was under stress. any ideas what would cause that.

2. should or should I not put grease on the hitch ball?


thank you
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Old 10-07-2015, 03:22 PM   #2
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My experience with any WD hitch is when turning they will groan and pop. Grease on the ball is not a bad idea even though I am a regular offender of not doing it.


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Old 10-07-2015, 03:22 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by 1oleman View Post
I have a couple of ?? relating to equalizer hook ups. I have a 2014 Surveyor 220rbs

!. I hooked up yesterday to practice backing up and parking the TT and when driving the equalizer hitch was making loud noises like it was under stress. any ideas what would cause that.

2. should or should I not put grease on the hitch ball?


thank you

Grease on the ball would be okay but usually the noise is caused by the friction from the sway control. Some noise is usual and inherent with the design.


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Old 10-07-2015, 03:39 PM   #4
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Thanks for the replies, I hope someday I can back it up with no problems
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Old 10-07-2015, 03:39 PM   #5
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Grease on the ball is good makes it set easier on the receiver. The friction is what makes the wdh perform as it should to make resistance to sway. Noise is just part of having one. Ya live with it no big deal. Later RJD
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Old 10-07-2015, 04:01 PM   #6
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The creaks and groans are caused by the friction points, the noises sound terrible but thats just the WDH doing its job.
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Old 10-07-2015, 04:10 PM   #7
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I was looking at another site on this forum when I came across this. What are the all 4 contacts that are mentioned???

I use the reese lube, it’s no more expensive than anything else. I lube the ball and all 4 contact points of my equalizer hitch. Makes for a much quieter and smoother turning rig.
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Old 10-07-2015, 04:11 PM   #8
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We had the same experience with moans and groans so we greased the bars which helped, but very messy when handling them. They make sleaves for the friction points which seems to help without reducing the sway control.
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Old 10-08-2015, 12:17 PM   #9
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I have an Equal-I-zer hitch and had the same issues with noise. You can buy a piece that goes over the WD brackets that will eliminate most of the noise - think that they call them "sleeves". I got a set, but haven't used them. Instead, I put some white lithium grease on the hitch ball along with some on the L-shaped brackets. That eliminated most of the noise except when making really tight turns. One thing to be SURE of, keep the adjustment bolts on the receiver tight or it will significantly reduce your sway control.
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Old 10-08-2015, 01:13 PM   #10
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I have an Equal-I-zer hitch and had the same issues with noise. You can buy a piece that goes over the WD brackets that will eliminate most of the noise - think that they call them "sleeves". I got a set, but haven't used them. Instead, I put some white lithium grease on the hitch ball along with some on the L-shaped brackets. That eliminated most of the noise except when making really tight turns. One thing to be SURE of, keep the adjustment bolts on the receiver tight or it will significantly reduce your sway control.
They're called "Bracket Jackets"
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Old 10-08-2015, 01:29 PM   #11
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If all you are going to do is back up into the space........ I believe it will not do any harm to remove the bars. I have seen some folks recommend you take out the bars when backing or turning sharply. Just do not forget they are not there.
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Old 10-08-2015, 02:10 PM   #12
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Equilizer can be backed up with bars attached. I backed up 1/4 mile with no problem.
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Old 10-08-2015, 02:15 PM   #13
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What Deuce and S.Saints said. We call our hitch "Moana Lisa."
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Old 10-08-2015, 02:42 PM   #14
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Bikendan - Thanks. It's been a while since I bought them and couldn't remember what they were called.
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Old 10-08-2015, 02:44 PM   #15
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My thoughts would be that any type of grease or lubricants on the sway control contact points would eliminate or reduce the sway control. It would be like putting grease or lubricant on your rotors or brake pads.
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Old 10-08-2015, 02:53 PM   #16
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I haven't had any issues with it. I can tell when I try to take the WD bars off and don't have it jacked up enough, there's plenty of friction! There may be a little loss of sway control with the lithium grease on there, but it's not much and all you have to do is torque the bolts a little more if you want it more aggressive.
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Old 10-08-2015, 03:13 PM   #17
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My thoughts would be that any type of grease or lubricants on the sway control contact points would eliminate or reduce the sway control. It would be like putting grease or lubricant on your rotors or brake pads.
True that!

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Old 10-08-2015, 03:16 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by kluza2786 View Post
I have an Equal-I-zer hitch and had the same issues with noise. You can buy a piece that goes over the WD brackets that will eliminate most of the noise - think that they call them "sleeves". I got a set, but haven't used them. Instead, I put some white lithium grease on the hitch ball along with some on the L-shaped brackets. That eliminated most of the noise except when making really tight turns. One thing to be SURE of, keep the adjustment bolts on the receiver tight or it will significantly reduce your sway control.
Any grease on the L bracket (or the use of the Bracket Jacket) will dramatically decrease the noise, but also lessen the sway prevention of the equalizer hitch.

This "note" is right on the Equalizer website: "Utilizing lubrication on the Equalizer L-bracket, in the form of the sway Bracket Jacket or any grease type lubricant, may lessen or decrease your sway control by a small degree."

I lube the ball and the rotational points on the hitch, but thats all.
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Old 10-08-2015, 04:16 PM   #19
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I grease, and use the bracket jackets. When leaving my driveway, which requires two very tight turns, every thing is nice and quiet. However, by the time I've reached the camp site 1-6 hrs later, the embarrassing noise has returned. I have not noticed any reduction of sway control after lubing though.
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Old 10-08-2015, 06:34 PM   #20
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I've been rv'ing for 11 years and I've been using quadrupled wax paper on the ball,,,,it's a lot less messy and does pretty much the same thing. Lost Vermonters....that's funny about your living in Indiana, but would rather be in Vermont. I myself always comment on the fact that I was born in Vermont....so I state...."Head in Texas and heart in Vermont."
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