Forum Discussion

bowler1's avatar
bowler1
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014

Equalizer Hitch Set Up Question...???

Quick question. When setting up the Equalizer hitch the directions tell you to measure the distance from the front fender to the ground before attaching the trailer (measurement A), after attaching the trailer but before putting on the spring arms (measurement B) and then after putting on the spring arms (measurement C)

The directions say that the measurement C should be AT LEAST 50% of the way BACK DOWN from measure meant B to A. I.E the front end rises when you add the trailer and you want to bring it back down closer to where it was when before adding the trailer.

So...my question is...on one setting I satisfy the requirements above, but am still higher than the measurement of before adding the trailer.

On setting two I am back to exactly (or maybe just a HAIR below where it was before adding the trailer)

Which is a better? Is the goal to bring the front end back down to where it was before adding the trailer or just a little bit higher? Or just a little bit lower?


thanks
matt

7 Replies

  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2014
    bowler1 wrote:
    Good points... I have not tried adding or subtracting washers. I will have to figure out how to do that as I have not messed with it. Also, I don't have any additional washers other than the ones that were on it when I got the hitch (used) so unless I buy some more my current option would only be to subtract them.

    Right now with a full bed and a mostly full fresh water tank my front end comes back down to exactly where it was before adding the trailer.

    When the water tank is empty it is a hair lower than where it was before hooking it up--less than a 16th of an inch. Lots of tension on the spring bars at that point too and it seems to ride a little "bouncy" in the rear.

    I think my best bet is do drop the spring bar brackets one notch when I have the water tank empty.

    As to the hitch being noisy....I put on the spring bar jackets they sell on their website and that helped a bit, but cleaning and greasing everything REALLY helped. It is virtually silent now.

    Matt


    Don't drop your spring brackets just yet. Play with the tilt in the head first by adding more washers. This will angle the bars down more and restore more weight to the front axles. If your spring brackets are "close", I would not drop them down yet.
  • bowler1's avatar
    bowler1
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Good points... I have not tried adding or subtracting washers. I will have to figure out how to do that as I have not messed with it. Also, I don't have any additional washers other than the ones that were on it when I got the hitch (used) so unless I buy some more my current option would only be to subtract them.

    Right now with a full bed and a mostly full fresh water tank my front end comes back down to exactly where it was before adding the trailer.

    When the water tank is empty it is a hair lower than where it was before hooking it up--less than a 16th of an inch. Lots of tension on the spring bars at that point too and it seems to ride a little "bouncy" in the rear.

    I think my best bet is do drop the spring bar brackets one notch when I have the water tank empty.

    As to the hitch being noisy....I put on the spring bar jackets they sell on their website and that helped a bit, but cleaning and greasing everything REALLY helped. It is virtually silent now.

    Matt
  • nohurry's avatar
    nohurry
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    I believe the instructions say you should NOT be lower than the A dimension. Therefore, your first setting would be the better. Depends on what a "hair" is LOL. What are you doing to make the adjustments? If you add, or subtract the washers on the hitch head, I think that is the way to "fine tune" it. Also, if you're TT, or the bed of your trucks not loaded up yet, doing that will bring up the front end, which might help as well. Good luck, I love mine. A little noisy at times, but definitely works.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Your directions say half way back or do they say to go past where it was before adding trailer? You say the directions are at least half way back, doesn't that answer your question?
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    Jul 19, 2014
    atreis wrote:
    gemsworld wrote:
    I brought mine to where it was before the trailer was added.


    x2

    X3
  • atreis's avatar
    atreis
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2014
    gemsworld wrote:
    I brought mine to where it was before the trailer was added.


    x2
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    Jul 19, 2014
    I brought mine to where it was before the trailer was added.

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