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Old 01-18-2012, 11:41 PM   #1
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Fair price for Equilizer & install

What's the thinking on having a dealer install a new Equilizer for my TT and truck? The Salem 292fkds has a dry weight of 7672# and a hitch weight (tongue weight?) of 1125#. I'm thinking I should buy a 10,000# model, but that's only good for 1,000# tongue weight, so maybe a 12,000# hitch would be better? The dealer is quoting me a price of $852 for a 10k model and $872 for the 12k one, installed. Does that seem right or a little high? Thoughts, please. Thanks!
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Old 01-19-2012, 02:58 AM   #2
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I sized my EQ based on the tow capabilities of my TV in case I upgrade in the future. Dealer sold the hitch and special shank for my vehicle at cost, just under $750. (EQ-4, 14,000/1400)
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Old 01-19-2012, 03:55 AM   #3
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i think both prices are ridiculous!
you can get the Equalizer with free shipping for around $450.
it's not that hard to install but i got the dealer i bought my HTT from, to install for free.
certainly not worth $400 to install. that's 4hrs. of shop time.
other than needing a thin-walled socket to tighten the ball, any somewhat handy person can install it, by following the manufacturer's videos and instructions.
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Old 01-19-2012, 07:39 AM   #4
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My dealer quoted me $495 for the 2 point equal-i-zer installed and $695 for the 4 point equal-i-zer installed. I thought both prices were high. a trained technician should be able to install in 30 minutes to 1 hour max. RV Wholesalers sells the 4 point for $445 meaning my dealer was trying to get $250 for upto 1 hour of Labor. I would try to negotiate $500-$550 as a "fair" price for an installed 4 point equal-i-zer with less than $500 being a great deal for you, and $550+ being a profit center for the dealer.
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Old 01-19-2012, 07:51 AM   #5
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$500 is what mine cost one year back, installed. Not much to install though....it's more adjustment than anything else.
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Old 01-19-2012, 07:52 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taranwanderer View Post
What's the thinking on having a dealer install a new Equilizer for my TT and truck? The Salem 292fkds has a dry weight of 7672# and a hitch weight (tongue weight?) of 1125#. I'm thinking I should buy a 10,000# model, but that's only good for 1,000# tongue weight, so maybe a 12,000# hitch would be better? The dealer is quoting me a price of $852 for a 10k model and $872 for the 12k one, installed. Does that seem right or a little high? Thoughts, please. Thanks!
The attached shows the prices from www.equalizerhitch.com. Any install fees would have to be added.
Attached Files
File Type: docx Equalizer.docx (1,009.8 KB, 44 views)
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Old 01-19-2012, 08:25 AM   #7
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You can buy my 2 year old 1000/10000 4 point for $250 if you're anywhere near Toledo Ohio. The only thing to install are the brackets for the torsion bars.
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Old 01-19-2012, 08:27 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Taranwanderer View Post
What's the thinking on having a dealer install a new Equilizer for my TT and truck? The Salem 292fkds has a dry weight of 7672# and a hitch weight (tongue weight?) of 1125#. I'm thinking I should buy a 10,000# model, but that's only good for 1,000# tongue weight, so maybe a 12,000# hitch would be better? The dealer is quoting me a price of $852 for a 10k model and $872 for the 12k one, installed. Does that seem right or a little high? Thoughts, please. Thanks!
You need the 12,000/1,200 lb bars.

The prices are inflated because of the setup. As Dan mentioned, you can get it for about $450 from RV Wholesalers. Check their site. You will also need to buy a thin-walled socket for $90 or so unless someone on this forum is selling one. The 350lb torque might be a problem. My torque wrench doesn't go that high so find a neighborhood mechanic who has the tool and will torque it for $10.

I encourage anyone to set it up themselves. Only way to know your hitch and to know if was done right. It seems that many people who complain about their setups seem to have it installed at their dealers IMHO.
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Old 01-19-2012, 09:39 AM   #9
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I am NO hitch expert, but I have been researching manufacturers as I am in the market for a new hitch. I read that you can have too much hitch which will cause your trailer to bounce. If that is true, you do not want to get too far over your weighted needs.
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Old 01-19-2012, 11:37 AM   #10
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Everybody seems to forget the installer is bringing his own tools to the table. Maybe it only takes an hour. Do you have the couple hundred of dollars worth of tools needed. If a tool breaks on the install should that be added to your bill? Do you have the equipment to get the vehicle off the floor to safely work on it?
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Old 01-19-2012, 11:50 AM   #11
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Equalizer from Amazon

I just received my 4 PT unit from Amazon. $ 485., no tax, no shipping. Dealer said he would install for $95. I'll be watching and helping!
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Old 01-19-2012, 03:10 PM   #12
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Everybody seems to forget the installer is bringing his own tools to the table. Maybe it only takes an hour. Do you have the couple hundred of dollars worth of tools needed. If a tool breaks on the install should that be added to your bill? Do you have the equipment to get the vehicle off the floor to safely work on it?
True that you will need a special tool to do it yourself (with Equal-i-zer). But there is no need to lift your vehicle.
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Old 01-19-2012, 03:40 PM   #13
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the only "special" tool needed is a thin-walled socket to tighten the trailer ball's nut inside the hitch head.
many have stopped at a shop and paid them $10 to tighten it for them.
other than that, no special tools or shop equipment is needed.

why would you need to lift the vehicle to install a WDH?
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Old 01-19-2012, 05:11 PM   #14
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myself, I don't like lying on ground. I know everyone has a torque wrench that goes to 450lb. Who bothers torquing nuts, right? . All holes predrilled, I guess so. How many have a 1-1/8" - 1-1/2" wrench for ball nut.
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Old 01-19-2012, 05:42 PM   #15
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Jim,
With all due respect, I understand that some (maybe most) people will want to pay their dealers a reasonable fee <$100. I do not consider fees of $400 reasonable. I must be missing something in your post.

For those who want to install ...

I've installed two Equal-i-zer hitches and did not need to lie down on the ground.

There is no drilling into the frame with this hitch. You might be thinking of the Reese Dual Cam.

As mentioned, the one tool that can be a problem even with a mechanic is a 1 7/8" thin-walled socket. Its $63 at RVW.

You will need a torque wrench that goes up to 75 lbs for most bolts and you will need to find a place that can torque the ball to 430 and the shank bolts to 320. But, my friendly neighborhood mechanic can do the 430 lbs for the hitch ball and the 320 for the shank bolts. I can always go back and buy him a beer and he is happy to re-torque as needed.
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Old 01-19-2012, 05:58 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Jim,
With all due respect, I understand that some (maybe most) people will want to pay their dealers a reasonable fee <$100. I do not consider fees of $400 reasonable. I must be missing something in your post.

For those who want to install ...

I've installed two Equal-i-zer hitches and did not need to lie down on the ground.

There is no drilling into the frame with this hitch. You might be thinking of the Reese Dual Cam.

As mentioned, the one tool that can be a problem even with a mechanic is a 1 7/8" thin-walled socket. Its $63 at RVW.

You will need a torque wrench that goes up to 75 lbs for most bolts and you will need to find a place that can torque the ball to 430 and the shank bolts to 320. But, my friendly neighborhood mechanic can do the 430 lbs for the hitch ball and the 320 for the shank bolts. I can always go back and buy him a beer and he is happy to re-torque as needed.
I sure would hate to maintain a building, heat, electric, insurance, and workmans comp. on a 6 pack of beer,. We are talking about instaling recever on truck also.
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Old 01-19-2012, 09:00 PM   #17
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I sure would hate to maintain a building, heat, electric, insurance, and workmans comp. on a 6 pack of beer,. We are talking about instaling recever on truck also.
Receiver? Honestly?
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Old 01-19-2012, 09:14 PM   #18
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Quote:
We are talking about instaling recever on truck also.
jim44646, we've been talking about installing a WDH, not a receiver.
there's no need to be "lying on ground" to install a WDH.
where did anyone mention a receiver.
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Old 01-19-2012, 11:16 PM   #19
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I keep a tool box with us when we take the camper out. It's got the stuff needed for any hitch adjustment during the trip. A good set of 1/2 sockets, a short and long torque wrench, deep well sockets for hitch bolts, lug nuts and hot water heater anode, extra pins/clips/retainers for Equal-i-zer hitch and one extra bracket for weight bars.

Basically, I packed for roadside breakdown that I've seen others deal with on these forums.

And when I do my hitch adjustments, I'll pull the hitch out of the receiver and rotate it 1/4 or 1/2 turn to get to the bolts easier.
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Old 01-22-2012, 12:50 AM   #20
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Go ahead and buy a good say 150 ftlb torque wrench too. It wont do you any good on the ball or shank bolts, but it will be useful with the frame bracket and friction (eq. 4 point) bolts as well as checking wheel lugs. The smaller nuts on an eq 4 point hitch will tend to loosen quicker since the parts they attach are repeatedly pulled back and forth. You should check the torque at the spring arm receiver bolts as well as the trailer frame bracket bolts on each trip.
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