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03-23-2017, 11:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Newbie is back with equalizer ques
So I'm thinking of starting with 6 since my tounge weight is high. Do the bars usually stay with 2 holes on top and 2 on bottom or is that just a drastic move to achieve perfection? Seems straightforward but I can see how I could get lost in the adjustments.
Have to buy a socket and wrench and should be all set as I have everything else I need to make a go at it? How tight does everything need to be for a small test tow? Manual says they don't have to be tight but how tight is not tight. I tend to torque the crap out of everything so a torque wrench had to be purchased to keep me from stripping or breaking bolts.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
This project is so close I can smell it lol
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03-23-2017, 11:43 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 44
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The equalizer website has all the proper torque specs. I believe the ball is 450 ft/lbs. The bolts holding the head to the shank are 325 to 350 ft/lbs. I don't remember the other bolts. I only remember the two I gave you because I just redid my setup. Good luck!
__________________
2016 Vibe 245BHS
2011 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Vortec 6.0L
Equalizer WDH w/ 4-point Sway Control
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03-24-2017, 08:07 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaTraveler
The equalizer website has all the proper torque specs. I believe the ball is 450 ft/lbs. The bolts holding the head to the shank are 325 to 350 ft/lbs. I don't remember the other bolts. I only remember the two I gave you because I just redid my setup. Good luck!
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So I have a torque wrench that goes to 250 so I guess I'll eye ball it. Is that what most folks do?
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03-24-2017, 08:21 AM
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#4
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Insert witty title here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 4,023
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When I bought my hitch, the dealer installed it for me. I wanted to make sure it was done right.
__________________
2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
Husky WDH with Sway Control
2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6L V8 Duramax
Forever in my memory. Forever in my heart.
Laurie J. Wood 3/22/67 - 8/23/19
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03-24-2017, 08:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timfromma
When I bought my hitch, the dealer installed it for me. I wanted to make sure it was done right.
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I really want to do it myself to learn this thing. If someone does it for me, I won't learn it as well. Trial and error is the best teacher.
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03-24-2017, 08:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 677
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to do it properly, you need to find someone with one of these.
https://store.snapon.com/US-Torque-I...e-P891632.aspx
Luckily, my wife's uncle works on Firetrucks so I got to borrow it.....We called it the B-F-W!
__________________
2016 Grey Wolf 26DBH following a 2014 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman
Life is good...Live it!
Nights Camped - (2014) - 16 in 6 trips (2015) - 20 in 6 trips
(2016) - 21 in 7 trips
(2017) - 12 in 3 and going seasonal for at least the rest of the year!
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03-24-2017, 08:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mj0528
So I have a torque wrench that goes to 250 so I guess I'll eye ball it. Is that what most folks do?
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If you place(orient) the hitch in the receiver of your TV so that in order to tighten it, you would apply a downward force, it will simplify things. Using the proper socket and at least 1/2 in breaker bar, and maybe a pipe(cheater) slid over it, make a mark on your lever 2 ft from the center of the socket. Carefully stand at the mark (don't fall!) with one foot on the bar. If you weigh 200 lbs you are applying 400 lb. ft. of torque. If you only need 350 lb ft... loose 25 lbs!
Did the same procedure with the ball torque... only I used a really large crescent wrench on the flats of the ball and stuffed a large screwdriver between the nut and the hitch "knuckle". Once the lockwasher is compressed it isn't going anywhere at that torque
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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03-24-2017, 08:46 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeff64
If you place(orient) the hitch in the receiver of your TV so that in order to tighten it, you would apply a downward force, it will simplify things. Using the proper socket and at least 1/2 in breaker bar, and maybe a pipe(cheater) slid over it, make a mark on your lever 2 ft from the center of the socket. Carefully stand at the mark (don't fall!) with one foot on the bar. If you weigh 200 lbs you are applying 400 lb. ft. of torque. If you only need 350 lb ft... loose 25 lbs!
Did the same procedure with the ball torque... only I used a really large crescent wrench on the flats of the ball and stuffed a large screwdriver between the nut and the hitch "knuckle". Once the lockwasher is compressed it isn't going anywhere at that torque
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Ok, right on. I'm shopping for a torque wrench as well. I went this far, I won't let one wrench stop me now.
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03-24-2017, 08:55 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Well, looks like a 1/2 torque wrench doesn't go up that high and a 3/4 is insanely expensive so I'll use the truck above. Thanks Jeff64!!
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03-24-2017, 09:01 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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@mj0528
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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03-24-2017, 09:01 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 677
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mj0528
Well, looks like a 1/2 torque wrench doesn't go up that high and a 3/4 is insanely expensive so I'll use the truck above. Thanks Jeff64!!
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Northern Tool has them for around $300.....Like I said, I was fortunate enough to know someone to borrow it from. 350lb/ft of torque is a lot more than one thinks.....That B-F-W is 40" long and as a 200lb fella, it still took a real good pull to get that wrench to snap.
__________________
2016 Grey Wolf 26DBH following a 2014 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman
Life is good...Live it!
Nights Camped - (2014) - 16 in 6 trips (2015) - 20 in 6 trips
(2016) - 21 in 7 trips
(2017) - 12 in 3 and going seasonal for at least the rest of the year!
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03-24-2017, 09:04 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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I'll probably get a 3/4 torque wrench from harbor fright that goes to 300 and then use a breaker bar for a little more torque. I weigh 190 almost 200 so it'll be close.
Those are insane amounts of torque. I own a 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch torque wrench so why not add one more to the collection
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03-24-2017, 09:53 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mj0528
So I have a torque wrench that goes to 250 so I guess I'll eye ball it. Is that what most folks do?
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Your local Uhaul will tighten it for you once you have it positioned. Mine does it for free.
Quote:
Originally Posted by timfromma
When I bought my hitch, the dealer installed it for me. I wanted to make sure it was done right.
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LOL! I have never seen a dealer install a W/D hitch properly, ever.
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03-24-2017, 10:02 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by madmaxmutt
Your local Uhaul will tighten it for you once you have it positioned. Mine does it for free.
LOL! I have never seen a dealer install a W/D hitch properly, ever.
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Ok, once I get the weight done if I don't feel good about it, I'll go have them yank on it.
Appreciate the help and responses guys! May your weekend be full of safe pulling!
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03-24-2017, 10:14 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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Forgot about my stepdad, he's got a torque wrench at his John Deere house! I'll be able to dial that bad boy in perfectly! All while learning this thing completely since I'm sure I'll be putting it together and taking it apart a few times!
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03-24-2017, 12:40 PM
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#16
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,229
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Torque (in ft.-lbs.) = Force (or weight, in lbs.) x distance (in feet).
Determine the torque required. Use method that jeff64 posted and figure out at what distance you need to stand on the extender bar to achieve the needed torque. Use this technique for the ball (430 ft-lbs) and the shank bolts (320 ft-lbs).
All the other torque settings can be achieved with a regular 1/2" torque wrench since they only go to around 75 ft-lbs.
I never trust the dealer to set it up. Even if they did set it up right when you pick up the trailer, it needs to be adjusted once you have your 1000# + worth of stuff loaded in it.
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2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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03-24-2017, 12:43 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 281
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I now have a 3/4 torque wrench that goes to 600 lbs. all sockets are purchased. Those big sockets and wrenches are super pricey.
Just picked up the WH rod and flushing wand. Propane is filled. Think we are ready! Calling to make reservations for tomorrow.
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03-24-2017, 04:49 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mj0528
I really want to do it myself to learn this thing. If someone does it for me, I won't learn it as well. Trial and error is the best teacher.
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I am going to have dealer install mine also, But I am going to be there so I can watch and learn and ask questions
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03-24-2017, 05:33 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hoogy
I am going to have dealer install mine also, But I am going to be there so I can watch and learn and ask questions
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Read the manual and have it with you when they are installing. Have your trailer fully loaded when you arrive.
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03-24-2017, 07:32 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by madmaxmutt
Read the manual and have it with you when they are installing. Have your trailer fully loaded when you arrive.
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I am a newbie also. so I want the trailer loaded so they can hook up to what I will be pulling . Correct?
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