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Old 03-23-2017, 11:02 PM   #1
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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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Old 03-23-2017, 11:43 PM   #2
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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!
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Old 03-24-2017, 08:07 AM   #3
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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!


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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Old 03-24-2017, 08:21 AM   #4
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When I bought my hitch, the dealer installed it for me. I wanted to make sure it was done right.
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Old 03-24-2017, 08:28 AM   #5
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When I bought my hitch, the dealer installed it for me. I wanted to make sure it was done right.


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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Old 03-24-2017, 08:28 AM   #6
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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!
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Old 03-24-2017, 08:37 AM   #7
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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?
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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Old 03-24-2017, 08:46 AM   #8
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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


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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Old 03-24-2017, 08:55 AM   #9
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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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Old 03-24-2017, 09:01 AM   #10
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Old 03-24-2017, 09:01 AM   #11
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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!!
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.
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Old 03-24-2017, 09:04 AM   #12
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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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Old 03-24-2017, 09:53 AM   #13
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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?
Your local Uhaul will tighten it for you once you have it positioned. Mine does it for free.



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When I bought my hitch, the dealer installed it for me. I wanted to make sure it was done right.
LOL! I have never seen a dealer install a W/D hitch properly, ever.
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Old 03-24-2017, 10:02 AM   #14
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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.


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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Old 03-24-2017, 10:14 AM   #15
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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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Old 03-24-2017, 12:40 PM   #16
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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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Old 03-24-2017, 12:43 PM   #17
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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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Old 03-24-2017, 04:49 PM   #18
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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.

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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Old 03-24-2017, 05:33 PM   #19
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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
Read the manual and have it with you when they are installing. Have your trailer fully loaded when you arrive.
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Old 03-24-2017, 07:32 PM   #20
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Read the manual and have it with you when they are installing. Have your trailer fully loaded when you arrive.
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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