NOISE: Equal-i-zer - Page 2

**Platokidd** · 06-17-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazmat91180

Given that, how stiff is your ride, that's almost 400lbs extra.

With the 10k I couldn't get enough lift in the rear or weight back on the front axles.
With the 14k my front fenders are back to stk height. Feel its important to get back to stk weight and height up front and no sag in the rear.
The ride..is firm but nothing drastic. I feel an over all improvement in handling performance and my unit sits nice behind my truck.

hazmat91180 · 06-17-2015, 10:04 PM

thank you for the clarification, that is helpful. I am going to haul it in two weeks again, with a different weight setup (no mother in law bringing everything and the kitchen sink) and will weigh it and see how I feel it rides.

**Platokidd** · 06-17-2015, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazmat91180

thank you for the clarification, that is helpful. I am going to haul it in two weeks again, with a different weight setup (no mother in law bringing everything and the kitchen sink) and will weigh it and see how I feel it rides.

Your gonna need 3 weigh-ins with truck camper no bars /w bars / and truck only. Then you can crunch the numbers and see just how much weight your shifting around.

hazmat91180 · 06-17-2015, 10:13 PM

Not to side track my own thread but will a weigh station have "patience" for me doing all of that?

**Platokidd** · 06-17-2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazmat91180

Not to side track my own thread but will a weigh station have "patience" for me doing all of that?

i had to do the first weigh in and pull off and go inside. Then pull back on and ask for a re-weight , pull off and do it again. The scales here didnt mind , fortunately no one else was using them.

ColoradoRick · 06-18-2015, 01:25 AM

I found my Equal-I-zer manual and found this:

Noise:
Noise is a normal occurance when towing a trailer and using any weight
distribution or sway control hitch.
In some cases the friction on the L-brackets or sockets also generates
noise. This most commonly occurs during slow, tight turns where the tow
vehicle and trailer are in a twist. This noise is normal and should be expected.
It is an indication that there is friction on the L-bracket and sockets.
Most of the noise will usually subside after a few uses as the hitch breaks in.
Trailer and tow vehicle loading may also influence hitch noise.
Lubricating the socket joint may help reduce this noise, and is part of
the required regular maintenance routine. Lubricating the L-bracket joint is
optional. A better solution is a set of official Equal-i-zer brand Sway Bracket
Jackets™. They quiet the ride without the mess of using a lubricant.

I found them for around $35 for a pair on Amazon (didn't have free shipping) so I'm going to buy them. Product Description:
Equal-i-zer Sway Bracket Jacket

The Sway Bracket Jacket was designed to quiet the ride and reduce wear on the L-brackets of your Equal-i-zer® hitch. Injection molded from high density polyethelene plastic (HDPE). Each package contains two (2) Sway Bracket Jacket, one for each L-bracket.

tmhudg · 06-20-2015, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredcamper47

Those jackets do not work with the new style "L" brackets out of the package with the attached pin. Had to trim mine back to the opening to get the pin to clear to work. They will work with the old style "L" brackets that requires you to insert a pin. Eliminates alot of noise.

Bob

They have a new version of the jackets that fit the new L brackets. I had the same problem as you - bought the old style jackets not realizing they were not the right ones. Called Progress and they advised me to trim the edges but also sent me a new set.

The jackets have not really helped the noise for me. I think my noise is coming from the bar sockets. I'll try a bit of grease there next.

wyo700 · 06-20-2015, 11:05 AM

That's just the sound of safety. Really don't worry about it. I can care less what other people think especially when I'm not doing anything wrong. They will get over the 5 minutes of noise and if they can't then oh well.

2012 Sandstorm 203SLC
2013 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7
2014 Honda Pioneer 700-4

aceinspp · 06-20-2015, 01:54 PM

I don't worry about the noise either tells me the systems is working as designed.My TV and TT sit perfectly level when hooked up. I also have the 14,000 LB Equal-I-zer hitch. Lubing defeats the purpose of sway. My trailer is 35 ft V-light Later RJD

hazmat91180 · 06-30-2015, 07:39 AM

Because they were really cheap I tried the jackets. So far, reduced noise I would say 75%. Pretty impressed. I can see where a loss of friction would occur though not having metal on metal.

Travelling 100 miles tomorrow with it and will report back and any sense of sway.

Thanks

youroo · 06-30-2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceinspp

I don't worry about the noise either tells me the systems is working as designed.My TV and TT sit perfectly level when hooked up. I also have the 14,000 LB Equal-I-zer hitch. Lubing defeats the purpose of sway. My trailer is 35 ft V-light Later RJD

Agree with Post # 28/29! (Wind Gusts) have more effect than (Mileage) also!

Youroo!!

vinmaker · 06-30-2015, 08:41 AM

Totally normal. Nothing to worry about.

Vin.

chicagoslick · 06-30-2015, 10:22 AM

It is completely normal for the noise. I use the Equal-i-zer brand High Performance Grease and Sway Bracket Jackets and this does help some, but does not get rid of the noise completely. I lubricate before each trip and make sure everything is tight as you do not want this stuff coming loose as you travel. I just treat this as part of my pre-trip ritual of triple checking everything before hitting the road. Best of luck...

hazmat91180 · 09-04-2015, 03:38 PM

I just wanted to update the group on my experience. I have gotten "over" the noise. The last trip I took however (last weekend) I felt the trailer was all over the place. Perhaps we had maybe 20MPH cross but still I did a 1000 mile trip for my first one and it didn't seem this bad. Got home after two hours of white knuckle driving wondering what had changes with my weights etc....

Go out to find that every single one of the bolts on the hitch was not torqued to spec, in fact, the sway socket bolts were loose by hand. I effectively had no sway (which I should have realized the bars shouldn't be that easy to swing in and out). There is no way the dealer used the proper specs to torque this thing, two of the bolts are supposed to be around the 370 range.

I just update this as a reminder no matter new, old, mechanic, non mechanic, check the bolts every single time. This might have cost me my family had the right circumstances presented themselves.

I have the entire setup re-torqued (properly) and about to take that same drive as last weekend again and we'll see how well she does.