Best way to engage WDH

mikeinaz wrote:
Is there a 'best' way to engage or hook up the WDH chains or does it not make a difference? I have an EAZ lift and have always lowered the tongue onto the ball just slightly to create some pressure on the tv and have then slipped the 3rd link on the chain onto the tongue and used the bar to pull the mechanism tight on each side. Then I finish dropping all of the pressure down on the tv. Is this ok or would it be best to put all the pressure on the tv first and then engage the bars? Or does it just not matter? Thanks!

There must be a whole lot of tension on those chains and spring bars if you're doing it that way. If your hand slips that cheater becomes a dangerous projectile.

Lower the trailer onto the hitch ball. Lock the hitch head. Raise trailer and truck as one and then hook the chains. If I raise it high enough I do it by hand without using the cheater. I have an electric jack so it's much easier.

the_happiestcamper wrote:

Ron3rd wrote:


That's how I did it with my old EAZ Lift hitch on my old trailer. Put a little pressure on the ball then lifted the snap up brackets. I basically do the same thing with my new Equalizer. In fact, that's what Equalizer recommends. I don't need the pull up bar.

Equalizer's web site says different:

1. Place the Equal-i-zer hitch head and shank into your tow vehicle receiver.
2. Back up to the trailer, lower the trailer onto the hitch ball, and lock the coupler.
3. Insert the spring arms into the hitch, and pin them in place.
4. Use the tongue jack to raise the trailer and tow vehicle until the spring arms are high enough to swing easily into place over the L-brackets.
5. Occasionally you may need to use the included snap-up lever to lift the arms the last inch or so onto the brackets.
6. Pin the arms into place, and retract the tongue jack completely to lower the weight onto the hitch again.
7. Connect everything else (breakaway cable, safety chains, and electrical connections), and you're ready to go.
8. Have fun.

This is exactly how I connect my Equal-I-zer. This makes for an easy stress free job.

mikeinaz wrote:
I was 'shown' the way by the dealer I bought the camper from. Not mentioning any names though. SO I see mixed ways of doing it here although I have not tried putting all of the weight on the ball and locking it in and then raising the tongue back up. I will try that method and compare height measurements with what I have taken to see if there is any difference in the tv ride height. Thanks everyone!

Yep lock the coupler on the ball and then use the jack and crank it way up...takes all the excitement out of hanging the chains.

I was 'shown' the way by the dealer I bought the camper from. Not mentioning any names though. SO I see mixed ways of doing it here although I have not tried putting all of the weight on the ball and locking it in and then raising the tongue back up. I will try that method and compare height measurements with what I have taken to see if there is any difference in the tv ride height. Thanks everyone!

mikeinaz wrote:
Is there a 'best' way to engage or hook up the WDH chains or does it not make a difference? I have an EAZ lift and have always lowered the tongue onto the ball just slightly to create some pressure on the tv and have then slipped the 3rd link on the chain onto the tongue and used the bar to pull the mechanism tight on each side. Then I finish dropping all of the pressure down on the tv. Is this ok or would it be best to put all the pressure on the tv first and then engage the bars? Or does it just not matter? Thanks!

:-) Yup, that's exact how I hooked up my last TT for about 8 years... no one "showed" me any different because I bought all my stuff used. It always worked out just fine, lower the TT until it just sits on the ball and then install and raise the trunnion bars before lowering it all the way down on the truck.

Had to switch to the "connect TT to TV and lift both" procedure when I added dual cam sway control, as it was much harder to lift.

bikendan wrote:
me also!

i wonder who showed the OP the strange way he's doing it?:h

Dealer???:R

The dealer showed me the same. Probably easier on the hitch jack, but in the real world your not on a concrete slab and the TT will move one way or the other.

the_happiestcamper wrote:

Ron3rd wrote:


That's how I did it with my old EAZ Lift hitch on my old trailer. Put a little pressure on the ball then lifted the snap up brackets. I basically do the same thing with my new Equalizer. In fact, that's what Equalizer recommends. I don't need the pull up bar.

Equalizer's web site says different:

1. Place the Equal-i-zer hitch head and shank into your tow vehicle receiver.
2. Back up to the trailer, lower the trailer onto the hitch ball, and lock the coupler.
3. Insert the spring arms into the hitch, and pin them in place.
4. Use the tongue jack to raise the trailer and tow vehicle until the spring arms are high enough to swing easily into place over the L-brackets.
5. Occasionally you may need to use the included snap-up lever to lift the arms the last inch or so onto the brackets.
6. Pin the arms into place, and retract the tongue jack completely to lower the weight onto the hitch again.
7. Connect everything else (breakaway cable, safety chains, and electrical connections), and you're ready to go.
8. Have fun.

Correct, I did not make myself clear, the EQ procedure you posted is exactly how I hitch up my Equalizer hitch. After dropping the coupler on the ball, lowering the coupler and locking the coupler, I raise the tongue back up with my Atwood electric tongue jack and swing the bars over the L Brackets. On my old EAZ lift hitch, I would put the coupler on the ball and apply just a little weight then snap up the chains, then lower the coupler all the way.

Ron3rd wrote:


That's how I did it with my old EAZ Lift hitch on my old trailer. Put a little pressure on the ball then lifted the snap up brackets. I basically do the same thing with my new Equalizer. In fact, that's what Equalizer recommends. I don't need the pull up bar.

Equalizer's web site says different:

1. Place the Equal-i-zer hitch head and shank into your tow vehicle receiver.
2. Back up to the trailer, lower the trailer onto the hitch ball, and lock the coupler.
3. Insert the spring arms into the hitch, and pin them in place.
4. Use the tongue jack to raise the trailer and tow vehicle until the spring arms are high enough to swing easily into place over the L-brackets.
5. Occasionally you may need to use the included snap-up lever to lift the arms the last inch or so onto the brackets.
6. Pin the arms into place, and retract the tongue jack completely to lower the weight onto the hitch again.
7. Connect everything else (breakaway cable, safety chains, and electrical connections), and you're ready to go.
8. Have fun.

I do it like the guys above do, only thing is I use an electric jack. sooo much easier than a manual jack

Posted By: robsouth on 06/25/14 04:35pm


I put the tongue on the ball. Clip it. Use the tongue jack to raise the tongue and the rear of the truck, hook the chains in the predetermined links, then lower the whole thing down and raise the jack all the way up. No strain, no pain.



Posted By: APT on 06/25/14 04:36pm


This is my procedure:
drop tongue on ball
latch ball
raise tongue/rear of TV with jack
connect WD bars
lower tongue/raise jack

Much easier with an electric jack.

Best way. Also with an added benefit. Raising the ball, and rear of the truck with the jack. Lets you know the ball is firmly seated, and latched.