Forum Discussion

Stclairm's avatar
Stclairm
Explorer
May 03, 2013

Just hooked up my Equal-i-zer hitch to my new F150

My measurements unloaded in the front were 38 LF 37 3/4 RF. Rears were 39.5. Loaded: LF 38 1/8, RF 38, LR 38 RR 37 7/8. The installation video says you want the fronts as close to the unloaded measurement as possible and the rears should be lower. Do I call this good or make an adjusments? I have the hitch L-brackets with three open holes above the mounting bolts. I'm pretty sure this is about exactly where I had it for my Surburban. I tried to sell the trailer and had removed everything. Thanks for any guidance. This was done on an uphill slight grade, looked to be fairly level under the whole rig.
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    It's not unusual for a TV to have an inch or more of rear-end "squat" with a properly-adjusted WDH.

    Ron
  • Danasdaddy2002's avatar
    Danasdaddy2002
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    I just found my sticky note with the numbers on it. I don't throw anything away. ;-) " without trailer was 40" in the rear and 38" in the front" With trailer attached there was 39" in the rear and 38" in the front. The front had no change.
    So the trailer kinda hauled the ass end down a little bit. Does that seem ok?


    I set my hitch up as per the manual and when I got to the dealership to pick p my TT the guy at the shop pulled it apart and set it his way.
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    Danasdaddy2002 wrote:
    I don't remember the actual hight numbers of hand but I know for my 2012 Ford F 150 the front dropped less then 1/2"---
    Are you saying the front ended up being below the unhitched height?

    If so, you have added more load back onto the front axle than Ford now specifies.

    Ron
  • Danasdaddy2002's avatar
    Danasdaddy2002
    Explorer
    May 04, 2013
    I don't remember the actual height numbers of hand but I know for my 2012 Ford F 150 the front dropped less then 1/2" and the rear dropped exactly 1".
    That's with a 26 foot 4500LB dry weighted trailer/ probably closer to 5000 or more Lbs loaded.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    Read your owners manual from Ford. Latest recommendations are to replace only HALF of the height change from hitched to unhitched. When I set my Reece up on my 2011 F 150 I used the same set up as used on my 04 model F 250 and it didn't handle all that well. After following the new recommendations it's rock solid, just as the 04 was.
    Good luck / Skip
  • RinconVTR's avatar
    RinconVTR
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    You mention the number of holes exposed on the L brackets, but that really has no bearing. Starting out, its best to have the bars are even. This will allow quick adjustments on the road, up or down.

    And if you adjust the L brackets up or down, you may find it best to change the angle of the head & bars to again bring the bars level. The steel on steel friction of the bars on the L brackets are the built in anti-sway. The more flat surface area meshing with another flat surface, the better. You don't want the bars at too much of an angle, and rubbing on just an edge of the L brackets.
  • Ron_Gratz's avatar
    Ron_Gratz
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    After application of WD, you're a little bit higher in front and about 1.5" lower in back.

    That's a pretty typical result and should work well.

    FYI, Ford now says you only need to eliminate about 50% of the front-end rise.

    To really know where you stand, it would be good to weigh the loaded combo to compare with the TV's GVWR and the rear GAWR.

    Ron
  • rode2nowhere's avatar
    rode2nowhere
    Explorer
    May 03, 2013
    I agree, that's not bad at all. Drive it and see how it handles. I just replaced my factory hitch so I need to set mine up again too.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,104 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 24, 2025