I got my Equalizer set-up and my wife and I went to a local campground with our new trailer for our first shake down trip. I set everything up per the instructions, using 5 washers, and the truck/trailer are pretty dang near level. I had to jack my truck up really high and still use the provided cheater to get the bars on. When I retracted the tongue hitch the bars were somewhat swayed. Also, when making sharper turns I could feel the vibration of the hitch in the floor board of my truck.Is it possible for these hitches to be set-up too tight?I bet you guys thought I was going to ask if my hitch was supposed to be this loud :) It will definitely wake a campground up!

I got my Equalizer set-up and my wife and I went to a local campground with our new trailer for our first shake down trip. I set everything up per the instructions, using 5 washers, and the truck/trailer are pretty dang near level. I had to jack my truck up really high and still use the provided cheater to get the bars on. When I retracted the tongue hitch the bars were somewhat swayed. Also, when making sharper turns I could feel the vibration of the hitch in the floor board of my truck. Is it possible for these hitches to be set-up too tight? I bet you guys thought I was going to ask if my hitch was supposed to be this loud It will definitely wake a campground up! It would help to learn what size hitch you have, the tow vehicle and the trailer weight and model. But, to answer your question it can be set too tight. It creaks and pops, that is normal.

Thanks JM, my main concern is the appearance that the bars were swayed and that I could feel the friction in the frame of my truck. Here are my spec'sEqualizer 14000/1400 HitchTV2012 F250 4x4 DieselTT 2013 Primetime Lacrosse35'8000#'s900# TW

How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.

Thanks JM, my main concern is the appearance that the bars were swayed and that I could feel the friction in the frame of my truck. Here are my spec's Equalizer 14000/1400 Hitch TV 2012 F250 4x4 Diesel TT 2013 Primetime Lacrosse 35' 8000#'s 900# TW I suspect your tongue weight is more like 1100 pounds; perhaps as much as 1200. The only real way to determine the amount of tension is to go to the scales and weigh the axles of the tow vehicle (Ford) before and after tensioning. Go to the Ford towing guide and determine how much of the tongue weight taken off the front axle due to the trailer should be restored and then dial it in using the scales. It may not be a value set at 100 percent; some applications specify only returning 50 percent back to the front axle. Diesel engines are heavy so be careful about adding too much back to the front axle.

downtheroad wrote:How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.At times at low speed the truck wanted to pull to the left. I only had about 20 miles of highway speeds. I was passed by a couple of big rigs and I felt no effects of them when passing.Mine does not have chains, the bars rest on "L" brackets. I was contemplating removing 1 washer from the head piece. Thing is, I have no idea what it should feel like towing with a WDH, as my old trailer was smaller and lighter and never needed it.Edit: Posted TW was from trailer specs, so you are both more than likely correct that TW is higher

First time towing w/EQ, question | Good Sam Community

downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
How did it feel when towing..I'd try less tension on the bars (hang one less chain link).

Your numbers don't seem right to me. I'm guessing you have more than 900 lbs of tongue weight...just a guess.
Houstonkid
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
Thanks JM, my main concern is the appearance that the bars were swayed and that I could feel the friction in the frame of my truck. Here are my spec's

Equalizer 14000/1400 Hitch

TV
2012 F250 4x4 Diesel

TT 2013 Primetime Lacrosse
35'
8000#'s
900# TW
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
I got my Equalizer set-up and my wife and I went to a local campground with our new trailer for our first shake down trip.
I set everything up per the instructions, using 5 washers, and the truck/trailer are pretty dang near level.

I had to jack my truck up really high and still use the provided cheater to get the bars on. When I retracted the tongue hitch the bars were somewhat swayed.

Also, when making sharper turns I could feel the vibration of the hitch in the floor board of my truck.

Is it possible for these hitches to be set-up too tight?

I bet you guys thought I was going to ask if my hitch was supposed to be this loud It will definitely wake a campground up!

It would help to learn what size hitch you have, the tow vehicle and the trailer weight and model. But, to answer your question it can be set too tight. It creaks and pops, that is normal.

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First time towing w/EQ, question

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