Equalizer Hitch Setup Help

So here is my dilemma...

I previously was towing my TT with a 2006 F-350 DRW. Just hitch up and go. I finally got tired of all of the 6.0 PSD problems so I traded in for a new 2013 F-150 King Ranch with Ecoboost and the Max Tow package. Even though the new truck is capable of towing my TT, needless to say it's not as "care free" now.

It is almost impossible to have too much truck towing. I suspect you will not be as happy towing as you were with the one ton dually. The dually especially makes for a very stable towing platform. Would it not have been much less expensive to just fix the 6.0 and drive it instead of getting a new truck that does not do the job nearly as well? I am sure your new truck cost far more than the couple thousand dollars to make the 6.0 reliiable and dependable. But, I guess this is another discussion for another thread. I can't imagine anybody going to an eco boost after driving a one ton diesel towing and expect it to be as good or better. But that is just me.

So I purchased the 12000/1200 Equalizer 4-point sway because I've read great things about it here and elsewhere. My problems come with correct hitch set up.


My driveway, nor anywhere else on my property is level. So I initially set up the hitch in the "default" position as per the instructions. A test drive revealed that I wasn't comfortable with the way it handled or felt.

I then took the entire set up to a nearby closed business with a nice level parking lot. I went through the Equalizer manual, took all of the measurements, and set it up per the "book." Test drive and it rode great -- almost felt like the F-350 again where I could probably forget it was even there.


The hitch needs to be set up at the scales.

Being that this was my first time I've set up one of these on my own, and I camp with my wife and two kids, I wanted to make sure everything was safe before we went out for our first trip with the new setup. I found an RV shop that is an Equalizer reseller near me and scheduled an appointment for a "professional" hitch adjustment.

I explained why I wanted them to look at it and made sure to carefully watch and ask questions as they were going through the setup.

To my surprise, the ONLY measurements the tech took was of the trailer. He made sure it was level in the front and the rear. He re-adjusted the hitch head to the SAME place I had it the first time (the default settings). Re-measured the trailer, and said it was good.

I asked why he didn't measure the truck or any of the other steps in the manual. His response is that he's been doing it for 15 years and has never done that.

We live and learn and as long as you learned something from this experience you are better for it. If it ain't broke don't fix it. It is your truck and your trailer not the tech's. You can putter around with the hitch until it is just right for you. The tech is not driving the truck and towing the trailer. Also, be sure the hitch is set up fully loaded both the truck as well as the trailer for camping.


So it's back to riding like******-- white knuckle driving at times.

You invested in a new truck, why not invest in a better hitch like the Hensley, ProPride or PullRite to better work with the half ton?

I apologize for the length of my "plight" but I'm hoping for some seasoned advice on if I should go back to my original adjustments or stay with the "professionals" adjustment?



FWIW, I read the sticky on this forum, which is pretty much the generic version of the Equalizer instructions. That's pretty much how I adjusted my hitch. The truck measurements were right, nose of the RV was slightly low.

Assuming you have a tandem axle trailer, the nose of the RV should be level. Even your tech made sure the trailer was level front to rear. Both trailer axles should ideally carry about the same weight (it will never be exactly the same nor will one side of an axle carry the same weight as the other) and even with the 'equalizer' between the axle springs, changing the tongue height an inch or two makes a change to the weight the axles are carrying. Again, the scales can help you figure that all out as nose down tends to put more weight on the front axle.

Thanks to anyone in advance for their help.

Good luck!