Just Installed my Equalizer WDH

[kittlecat]

I purchased an Equalizer WDH just over a year ago but because of foot surgery, have not actually taken my TT out since fall of 2016 as I could not tow the TT last summer or fall while I was recovering. But that has changed. I am leaving Saturday for our annual group camping trip and am very excited!

One of our group members came over yesterday and swapped out my old chain link WDH with the Equalizer system I purchased. The last couple of times towing were white knuckle so I am nervous this time, but am choosing to have faith that the Equalizer will work as well as many people on this forum have said it does. I will know soon enough. I'm going to take the TV and TT out for a trial run on Wednesday and see how things go. I am hopeful all the positive feedback I have seen on the forum about the Equalizer will be true for me as well.

Looking forward to a week of camping with a great group of family/friends on the shores of Lake Michigan!

[NC_RVer]

I also have the Equalizer WDH. The first time I drove with it attached I thought something was definitely wrong. So many creaks and popping sounds! Embarrassingly noisy.

I then brought some lubricating grease to put on some of the metal parts and that helped a lot.

On my first RV trip with the new TT and WDH, a new TT pulled in straight from Camping World. They had the same hitch. Same awful noise. I let him borrow the grease before he left.

[kittlecat]

Thanks for reminding m about the Equalizer lubricant. I purchased a tube and will go out and apply it strategically this evening. I have those plastic like pads on my system where the ends of the arms attach to the A-frame on the TT. I have heard there can be a lot of noise so I will be sure to remember what you said and not panic! I'm a single female camper and sometimes when things feel like they are going wrong, it can be overwhelming.

[Campinfishin]

Equalizer is a great system!!! Two weeks ago I was coming home with our new TT and had a gust of wind come off the mountain (sounded like a train) hit the passenger side (woke my wife up). It pushed us from right lane to left lane. I believe without the Equalizer I would have lost control and been in serious trouble. I'm a believer in Equalizer WDH

[JBFah]

I have the same and i think it works great but it is very noisy too. Lots of creaking and popping especially when trying to sneak into a rv park at 1030 at night! Little embarrassing! Grease is on my list before the next trip out.

[Houston Remodeler]

I think the sounds are hilarious ! Much like a coffin lid opening in an old movie.



If the terrain is very lumpy, we sometimes unhitch the bars before backing into our site at night.

[deepseadan]

Originally Posted by Campinfishin

Equalizer is a great system!!! Two weeks ago I was coming home with our new TT and had a gust of wind come off the mountain (sounded like a train) hit the passenger side (woke my wife up). It pushed us from right lane to left lane. I believe without the Equalizer I would have lost control and been in serious trouble. I'm a believer in Equalizer WDH

Did the wind push mostly you tv or tt? I could see the wind hitting your tv causing the trailer to follow but the wind shouldn’t move you much at all. I’ve encountered some crazy desert winds and they’ve never pushed me hardly at all. And my tow vehicle is definitely not ideal for towing my toy hauler

[Campinfishin]

It hit the side of both the TV & TT! It was brutal. I've towed a TT for a long time and NEVER had this bad of a crosswind gust. SCARY!!

[Jayhawker]

The paint on the equalizer four point hitch is pretty thick from the factory, and a lot of that popping sound is the paint breaking loose on the friction points when it is first used. My hitch needed to be re-torqued after towing about 30 miles. 60 ft. pounds is recommended for the two bolts underneath the hitch head.

[Steveadee]

Yes, the noise is phenomenal, but well worth it. An appropriate lube is definitely called for - I use it on the rail supports and the ball joint. That made me start wearing gloves when working so I didn't end up all coated myself.

As far as wind, I've found the whole unit stays quite stable, but on interstates the push-pull of transports wants to bring everything over as a single unit. But having seen a trailer sway induced roll-over in front of me on the Interstate I became a believer. I often see where a similar solution would be of benefit to 5th wheelers.

Once you get used to it, you'll be amazed. When I'm at my permanent site, I always get ready to wave when I hear the hitch coming our way.

[HDU]

Equalizer user here too. I have tweaked it a couple of times since the original install a few years ago, it works very well.
I also get lots of looks when pulling into a fuel station and making tighter turns, the first couple times you hear it pop you will probably think that you broke something or ran into something, you will get used to it quickly. I am very happy with my Equalizer.

[ard58]

You will not want to apply any grease to the L brackets. This will actually reduce the sway control.

[Timan]

We purchased our 233S used which included the Equalizer hitch. We bought it in Illinois and drove it home to Texas. Our previous camper was a pop up and I had never pulled a large trailer. The equalizer made the trip a lot less nerve racking. We just finished a 10 state 7600 mile trip. No problems at all. I love the equalizer. The noises to sound crazy sometimes. I've see the lube. Where exactly is it applied? Also looking at getting the plastic pads. Thank you.

[NC_RVer]

I put lubrication on the hitch ball and the part of the hitch that goes into the hitch receiver (male to female) on the TV. I also put some on the end of the Spring Arms (long poles) where they go into the Hitch Heads. DO NOT put lubrication on the Spring Arms that rest on the Rigid Trailer Brackets. There are rubber pads that can be put there to quiet the noise.

I brought the the rubber pads and enhanced hitch clips. However, since I had the smallest size, 1,000/10,000 lb. Equal-i-zer Hitch, they didn't fit.

I'm very happy with the WDH but this is my first one and my only experience.

[Jakieboy]

We used the Equalizer WDH on our rig for more than 12 years and covered many thousands of miles from coast to coast. We, too, recommend the proper lube on the equalizer rails, and make sure you adjust from time to time for wear on the moving parts of the friction mechanism. We had to raise the "L-" Brackets that attach to the TT A-Frame more than once to compensate for wear on the rubbing surfaces.

We also found that disconnecting the equalizer bars before backing into a tilted camp site makes unhitching much less trouble.

Now we're learning some new techniques in towing with our brand new fifth wheel!!

The effect of cross winds on our new rig is almost negligible compared to our previous TT rig. DW sleeps more comfortably while I drive.

[Sahall]

I use Sunnen B-200 press fit lubricant in an aerosol can. I spray a small amount where the arm sockets pivot in the hitch head. That oil is designed for friction type movements.

[aceinspp]

Sounds no problem keeps folks in the cg alert and out of my way Later RJD

[Dustyhd]

Maybe I’m just lucky but mine is quiet and has never been greased except for the ball. My bars aren’t pulled up all that tight though.

[retired06]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker

The paint on the equalizer four point hitch is pretty thick from the factory, and a lot of that popping sound is the paint breaking loose on the friction points when it is first used. My hitch needed to be re-torqued after towing about 30 miles. 60 ft. pounds is recommended for the two bolts underneath the hitch head.

I needed to re-torque mine but I removed both bolts for cleaning, noticed that there are two recessed pockets on the head portion for holding grease. Lubed both sides and re-torqued, then added two jam nuts, love the Equalizer.

[CCSILVERBACKBJANDA]

Friction equals sway control. Seem remember that instructions specified no lube on friction bars. Had Equalizer 2 hitch on my previous TT and loved it. I got used to the popping noise but always freaked out the DW!