Weight Distro Hitch recommendation--ease of setup out of box

campigloo wrote:
Most of the hitches are pretty simple to install. I suggest you settle on a price of the new trailer, then start requesting add ons. You may have to buy the hitch but they would probably at least install it for free. You might also go for the electric tongue jack and slide toppers. In my experience, they almost expect you to ask for them.

I agree with that concept and it's what I did when we bought our current trailer. I got a dinnette slide topper and a 1.2/12K Equal-i-zer hitch system installed for $500 total and they even switched my existing electric tongue jack from my trade in to the new trailer again at no cost. By doing those type add ons you can often get the install free since it's only their time and is a good negotiating tool from their side. You should get any add on items at cost at a minimium.

Larry

Thanks Ron. I ordered the same ball as you. I'll report back tomorrow.

kinglakeAR wrote:
Thanks.

I have a 12 point socket but I couldn't get it to fit. I'll try rotating the arms slightly to try to get the clearance needed.

Rotate the pivot arms and it should work. Use one of the bars to do it.
Make sure you use the recommended length of shank too or the pivots can hit the ball shank. I ordered an Equilizer brand ball off Amazon to get the correct length. Any brand will work, just make sure it is the correct spec.

Thanks.

I have a 12 point socket but I couldn't get it to fit. I'll try rotating the arms slightly to try to get the clearance needed.

kinglakeAR wrote:
For the equal-i-zer hitch, is there a trick to installing the hitch ball if you don't have a thin-walled 1 7/8" socket? Seems to be a bad design if it requires that to be setup. I just have it hand tight right now so I could do the rest of the install which was a breeze. Now to figure out the ball.

I thought about removing the two "sockets" that the arms slide into. It appears my normal socket would fit then. Anyone try this?

I have taken the hitch to 2 dealerships, both of which told me they can't tighten them either and that is the reason they carry other brands of hitches instead.

I ran into the same issue and luckily had a buddy with a shop and he tightened it for me. That socket is over $60 too as I recall,and they're normally 3/4" drive when they get that big. I only had a 1/2" drive torque wrench and it doesn't go that high (around 300 lbs). Taking the side arms off won't solve anything and as mentioned, it DOES NOT have to be a thin-wall socket. You might have to insert one of the bars though and rotate the sockets outward for more clearance on the socket. Also, take a tip from the instructions and slide the receiver into your receiver UPSIDE DOWN as this is a good way to hold it as you torque the ball.

Best bet is to keep trying local auto shops or find a dealer that sells Equalizer as they will normally install the ball for you for free if you buy the hitch from them. I was ready to pay somebody $20 just to get it done, but got lucky as my friend had the socket!

isn't thin wall just the same as 12 point, not 6? it was when I needed a socket that would work on my wheel lugs and found 12 point was what I needed.
bumpy

For the equal-i-zer hitch, is there a trick to installing the hitch ball if you don't have a thin-walled 1 7/8" socket? Seems to be a bad design if it requires that to be setup. I just have it hand tight right now so I could do the rest of the install which was a breeze. Now to figure out the ball.

I thought about removing the two "sockets" that the arms slide into. It appears my normal socket would fit then. Anyone try this?

I have taken the hitch to 2 dealerships, both of which told me they can't tighten them either and that is the reason they carry other brands of hitches instead.

To the OP, most of the work is calculating the height and angle of the hitch head and you're going to run into this with just about any hitch. The exception is the Anderson which is great for lighter trailers. You will still have to set the height though. Like fla-gypsy said, none of them are hard if you can follow instructions.

How come you never hear about anyone asking about the best of anything? It's always the easiest or cheapest. When it comes to a hitch, the easiest to install or setup ranks pretty low in my priority.

I wore out a trunnion bar hitch and bought a round bar set and thought what have I done. I bought a straptek tension system two weeks ago, went camping over the weekend and just fell in love.