Equilizer L brackets

Dakota EV · 05-12-2011, 08:39 PM

I finaly got time today to recheck the Equalizer Hitch setup on my trailer. After going thourgh the factory initial setup with the 1000 lb bars, I did find that the dealer did not have the frame brackets torqued to specs and also the bolts in the Hitch head where the bars go was not torqued either. I tighten all of these bolts to factory specs. I then measured the TV without the trailer hooked and wrote these measurements down. I then hook the trailer up and setup the equalizer hitch to the initial setup per the factory instructions. I had the following changes to the TV with the Equalizer bar in place. The rear of my TV went down about 1 1/4" and the front of the TV stayed almost the same as before the trailer was hooked up. I have 5 washers in the hitch head and the L-Brackets are in the third hole from the top. I am going to leave it there for now. We will be going camping tomorrow so I will be able to see how the trailer pulls. I may have to do some fine tuning but I am not sure exactly what to try first. I am tempted to put another washer in the hitch head to see what that does but I would welcome any advice as to whether to try to adjust the hitch any better or just leave it where it is. BTW, the setup was with the TV and the Trailer fully loaded ready to pull.

Thanks, Freddie....

sherdep · 05-12-2011, 08:52 PM

Does the trailer look level when setup?
Measure each corner to see if they are the same off the ground or not.

Adding another washer tilts the Hitch head and pushes the bars to a more downward force on the L Brackets.

If the front of your tow vehicle is in the air you will have some loose steering so watch that
I have emailed Equalizer hitch yesterday cause my L pins are wearing and bending - hopefully they will have an answer for me.

M109Rrider · 05-12-2011, 08:59 PM

I can't remember how many washers (8 I think) you can use on the hitch head but I believe the instructions say one bolt hole adjustment on the L brackets is the same as adding/removing 1 washer. I also think it says to adjust with washers before adjusting L brackets but as you know it's much easier to adjust the L brackets at a rest stop than changing the hitch angle. I have adjusted mine during a pit stop by just moving the L brackets then at a later date I would adjust hitch angle and return the L brackets to their original position.

M109Rrider · 05-12-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherdep

Does the trailer look level when setup?
Measure each corner to see if they are the same off the ground or not.

Adding another washer tilts the Hitch head and pushes the bars to a more downward force on the L Brackets.

If the front of your tow vehicle is in the air you will have some loose steering so watch that
I have emailed Equalizer hitch yesterday cause my L pins are wearing and bending - hopefully they will have an answer for me.

I can see how they would bend if they were adjusted too low.

sherdep · 05-12-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M109Rrider

I can see how they would bend if they were adjusted too low.

you are thinking of the L Brackets - those are attached to the trailer frame and are not bent and are fine

the L Pins which are what hold the bars to the L Brackets are bending

I have attached the some of the same pictures I sent Equalizer to see what they say on my situation - The dealer initially setup my Hitch but I had to get a longer drop and re-attach the hitch head to get the trailer level

**Terier** · 05-12-2011, 11:24 PM

Don't have the Equalizer Hitch on my setup but this thread is great - especially the video! I do wish my spring bars had the same setup - looks much easier than mine which are inserted from the bottom up.

M109Rrider · 05-13-2011, 06:17 AM

Ah, I see. It would take pretty dramatic twist or angle to make those things bend like that...LOL!!!

grhodes50 · 05-13-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherdep

you are thinking of the L Brackets - those are attached to the trailer frame and are not bent and are fine

the L Pins which are what hold the bars to the L Brackets are bending

I have attached the some of the same pictures I sent Equalizer to see what they say on my situation - The dealer initially setup my Hitch but I had to get a longer drop and re-attach the hitch head to get the trailer level

Mine do the same. I've had the hitch over two years now and it's not been a problem. I always considered it normal wear and tear.
I do keep a spare set of the L pins. Also an extra set of the pins for the tension bars.

I'm interested in knowing what Equal-i-zer has to say about it, so keep us informed.

Dakota EV · 05-13-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherdep

Does the trailer look level when setup?
Measure each corner to see if they are the same off the ground or not.

Adding another washer tilts the Hitch head and pushes the bars to a more downward force on the L Brackets.

If the front of your tow vehicle is in the air you will have some loose steering so watch that
I have emailed Equalizer hitch yesterday cause my L pins are wearing and bending - hopefully they will have an answer for me.

Yes the trailer looks level.

By adding another washer causing the bars to apply more downward force are we then transferring more weight to the front of the TV or Less weight to the front of the front of the TV?

The front of the TV did not change any only the rear of the TV changed by about an 1 1/4" downward.

I have also seen my "L" pins bend as you showed in your pictures and I have purchased a spare set also. I would like to know what is causing them to bend. I am very careful not to make any real sharp turns and I will take the bars off of the hitch before I try to back it at a sharp angle.

lbrjet · 05-13-2011, 08:14 AM

Adding a washer transfers more weight to the front of the truck and to the trailer axles. The front height of the wheel wells should the same hitched and unhitched, or slightly higher when hitched. If they are the same then don't add a washer.

Are you sure you are experiencing sway, or just normal movement? If the trailer just moves around a little then that is normal.

Also, I do not think that the 1000lb and 1200lb bars are interchangeable on the same hitch head. Measure the diameter of the bars to double check that they are the same width. The bars should fit like a glove inside the sockets.

sherdep · 05-13-2011, 03:03 PM

I have gotten a reply saying he got my pictures and he will get back to me but havent seen a respone as of yet - I will let you know what he says - if I do not hear from him on Monday - he will be getting a phone call instead of an email.

BigRed · 05-13-2011, 03:18 PM

My L-brackets look the same....we've only had our equalizer for 8-months. I have a spare also ! but as i said they look just like yours !! Hmmmm waiting to hear what they say to you !! let us know !!

M109Rrider · 05-13-2011, 03:24 PM

Perhaps I vaguely remember mine being the same way. I can see how twisting the truck/camper, porpoising or driving over something like entering parking lot with a step up could cause the bars to put pressure straight up on the L pins. Think of how you use your tongue jack to lift the bars off the L brackets....really don't need to go up much further before they contact and put pressure on the L pins...ya know?

sherdep · 05-13-2011, 04:45 PM

Ok well I decided to call and didnt give him till Monday since I am taking it out again this weekend.

Here is what he said,
My L Pins are wearing great - they will have three wear marks on them - the L pins are there to keep the bars from sliding to the side and out of the pocket - not so much as up and down since they have alot of pressure keeping them down on the L Brakcets.

He also said he has seen L Pins bent back worse then the one's I have now.

Told me I should paint the Bars so they dont start to rust.

Also made mention about the possibility of the hitch itself is flexing - he said it was common on Chevy / GM but doesnt recall the Dodge's - This past weekend I did lose the cover that is right above the hitch so there is a possibility it is flexing.

He said by the pictures I sent him the front looks a little high so he made a recommendation to add a washer to drop the front of the tow vehicle a little.

He asked me if I was greasing the hitch head - I said yes with the Equalizer special grease - he said it was axle / wheel bearing rated grease if I didnt want to buy there brand - I could use another brand.

I also asked him about the Hitch Head and after adding the washer how to set it up - tighten the large bolts to like 320 lbs and then do the set screw underneath to just tight with a 1/4 turn and then load the trailer on and tighten the set screw again once the bars were in place and it was on the shank.

grhodes50 · 05-13-2011, 07:06 PM

Thanks sherdep.

That's good info. Thanks for contacting Equal-i-zer and sharing what you learned.

sherdep · 05-13-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grhodes50

Thanks sherdep.

That's good info. Thanks for contacting Equal-i-zer and sharing what you learned.

welcome and if what I am learning helps someone else then things are good besides I was asked to post what was said and share the info - I does put my mind at ease now knowing it is normal and it isnt a huge setup issue

backin15 · 05-13-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbrjet

Adding a washer transfers more weight to the front of the truck and to the trailer axles. The front height of the wheel wells should the same hitched and unhitched, or slightly higher when hitched. If they are the same then don't add a washer.

Are you sure you are experiencing sway, or just normal movement? If the trailer just moves around a little then that is normal.

Also, I do not think that the 1000lb and 1200lb bars are interchangeable on the same hitch head. Measure the diameter of the bars to double check that they are the same width. The bars should fit like a glove inside the sockets.

So the bars should fit in the socket with little or no play? Mine have quite a bit of slop and I have been wondering if it is normal. I have had it for 7 years so I can't remember if the slop was there when it was new.

sherdep · 05-13-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backin15

So the bars should fit in the socket with little or no play? Mine have quite a bit of slop and I have been wondering if it is normal. I have had it for 7 years so I can't remember if the slop was there when it was new.

when you put the bar in the square hole there isnt much play at all - the only play you will have is side to side since you have to swing the bars over to the L Brackets.
I am going to be hooking my truck up to my trailer either tonight or tommorow and will let you know a forsure answer on your question but from what I remember there shouldnt be much slop

backin15 · 05-21-2011, 09:23 PM

Mine have quite a bit of slop up and down. I wonder if it is the hitch sockets or the bars that are causing the play?

sherdep · 05-22-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backin15

Mine have quite a bit of slop up and down. I wonder if it is the hitch sockets or the bars that are causing the play?

my bars have play in them too - as long as they are solid when you pop them up onto the L Brackets you will be fine - one thing I would check and make sure if that the bolts that hold the bars are torqued to - I think 45 ft Lbs if I remeber correctly

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