The WD bars and their sockets are often VERY hard to move on a new Equal-i-zer hitch. The upper and lower surfaces of the sockets should have grease because there is a LOT of metal on metal pressure when the WD bars are tensioned. Equal-i-zer says to put lubrication in that area, and to check the torque on the two bolts that hold the sockets in the hitch head before every tow. See the caution on P.15 and the lubrication recommendations on P.23 in the
owners manual. The bars will move easier as the hitch breaks in. What you experienced is not abnormal.
Barney