I use an Equailizer hitch system on my 09 Chevy 2500 to pull my Wildwood 27RBEC. Hooking the trailer up this past Friday night to go on a weekend trip and noticed as I dropped the trailer down on top of the ball the ball moved from side to side. I raised the tailer back up (thank god for the electric jack), grabbed a pair of channel locks and was able to turn the ball. I finally found a friend with a BIG impact and a BIG socket (1 7/8") and put the torque to it.
Thank god I was paying attention when I dropped the trailer down as I would have never noticed that the ball was loose.
Lesson learned, check the ball with a pair of pliars or similar device!!
Good catch, and good advice. I think the ball on my system calls for 340 ft/lbs. of torque. I gotta get an extender bar and put my 185 lbs. up the bar 22" to get that kinda torque.
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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
I just bought a new Equalizer and the instructions say you need to torque the ball nut to 450 ft pounds of torque. Luckily I have a mechanic friend with the proper heavy duty tools. With a lock washer and 450 ft pounds of torque I can't believe it would ever get loose, but clearly checking is a good idea.
I had the dealer I bought my equalizer hitch from, put the ball on for me and tourque it. Not something you can dop at home unless you have the 1 7/8 socket and a air impact wrench.
My Equa-i-lizer hitch has a recessed nut on the ball. I had to buy the 40 dollar thin wall socket from them to torque it to spec.
It was a "ball-buster" to do.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
ya i have seen some horror stories! going down I-90/94 the truck infront of us lost the nut and lock washer off his (he was pulling a boat) and we got up beside him and tried to yell at him etc but he just ignored us and actually took off down the interstate doing probably 100 or better! poor trailer was bouncing up and down and i dont know how he didnt loose that boat and trailer!!!
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Full Timing - Salem Villa Estate - 392FLFB - Purchased July 29th 2010
yup. if that reciever bar will only be used with that ball why not torque to spec then give it a couple beads of weld? if you want it off that bad a grinder will undo it. ball will prob be wore out or something anyhow.
__________________ One state/province at a time!
Full Timing - Salem Villa Estate - 392FLFB - Purchased July 29th 2010
One state/province at a time!
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