I have an Equalizer WDH with the friction style anti sway bars with retaining pins vice hanging chains. Works very well. But when slow maneuvering in turns it makes some very loud annoying creaks and moans. I have grease every surface and it helps. But then the grease wears off and the noises return. Should it make noises? Should I not grease it? :h

Grease is good and noise is normal for your style of hitch.Should have stated, grease is good in those places that use grease. Like all the grease fittings only.

I don't have the Equalizer but it's normal for that make and model BUT DO NOT apply grease or any lubricant on the anti sway. Read the manual!Their Website states under "My hitch is noisy, what can I do?" in the support section.

Equal-i-zer hitch actually offers a neoprene type pad that goes on the "L" bracket where the bars ride. We have used the pad and it does reduce noise and does not seem to negatively affect sway control.

You absolutely DO NOT want to put any grease or oil on the L bracket where the bars rest. This defeats the friction that prevents the sway. Clean off the grease on the bars and the L bracket. It should be bare metal against bare metal. Yes, it will make some noise, but just ignore it.As others have said, Equal-i-zer makes a pad that rest on the L bracket to help reduce the noise and still retain the friction. I purchased them when my system was brand new and those pads are still in good shape. I've not removed them in 2 years now. They do help on the noise.Any RV dealership that has a parts store should have them, or order on-line. Here's a link to what they look like. I just did a simply Google search and this was the first "hit", so nothing special about this specific business or web site. Click here. Equal-i-zer Sway Bracket Jackets

Chappy and Junker wrote:I have an Equalizer WDH with the friction style anti sway bars with retaining pins vice hanging chains. Works very well. But when slow maneuvering in turns it makes some very loud annoying creaks and moans. I have grease every surface and it helps. But then the grease wears off and the noises return. Should it make noises? Should I not grease it? :hThe noise is normal for an Equalizer hitch. It will get better when it gets some wear on it. Being wet seems to make it worse, for some reason.Once we missed a turn somewhere in Montana and made a U-turn in the large (empty) parking lot of a vet's office. That hitch was groaning and moaning horribly.... we were surprised the vet didn't offer to come out and euthanize our poor dying cow!

Hitch moans and groans | Good Sam Community

beemerphile1
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Chappy and Junker wrote:
Ok everybody. I took 2 washers out of the tilt on the hitch. It stands straight up now. Then I cleaned the grease off of the L brackets and the bars. Then I greased the ball. I drove it from the campsite to home (353 miles) and it never made a sound!

That is a very foolish thing to do. Get your manual that came with the hitch and go through the correct setup procedure. If the noise bothers you replace the hitch.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
More than likely, the Equal-I-zer still made groaning noises, it just wasn't noticeable to the OP any more. It quieted down, but not loud enough to be herd from inside the vehicle. (my guess). Just for an FYI, most of the time, I never hear mine groaning and popping from inside my truck. The my diesel engine is somewhat noisy with windows open and with windows closed, it really sound proof inside. It's only when I have my wife back up or pull forward and I'm outside the truck I hear it. With the little pads, it's quieted down and not noticeable, or else, I'm just so use to it now, I simply don't hear it any more.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Chappy and Junker wrote:
I will put 1 washer back in. If that is acceptable to Wifey I will be happy. Between the hitch and her both groaning I just couldn't take it anymore. LOL!

No offence intended but there's only one way to correctly set up your hitch and that's not by how much sound it makes or whether your wife approves. :R If the noise bothers you so much better to sell your Equal-i-zer and replace it with a different brand that can work equally as well but is silent in operation, the popular Blue Ox Sway Pro being one such example.
Chappy_and_Junk
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Thanks NinerBikes for the info. I thought as much. I will put 1 washer back in. If that is acceptable to Wifey I will be happy. Between the hitch and her both groaning I just couldn't take it anymore. LOL!
NinerBikes
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
brulaz wrote:
NinerBikes wrote:
I just want the weight distribution portion, I don't have much sway problems with my 21 foot travel trailer behind my VW Touareg TDI tow vehicle.

I would think just the opposite with a Touareg.
Don't they say not to use Weight Distribution ('cause of the Unibody?)?

That was from earlier models with air suspension. My Gazelle has a tongue weight of 310 pounds. Probably closer to 400 with the battery and propane. Hitch is rated for 770 pounds. On a 5000 pound truck chassis, when all the chassis's are rated for 7700 pounds.

It has been discussed and thought about endlessly on ClubTouareg, and it has not been a problem with trailers far longer and heavier than what I am pulling. It's lawyer speak.

Caravans are towed all over Europe and Australia with Touaregs, same body, with WD hitches. I bought the Touareg specifically because how well they do tow caravans and travel trailers.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Chappy and Junker wrote:
Ok everybody. I took 2 washers out of the tilt on the hitch. It stands straight up now. Then I cleaned the grease off of the L brackets and the bars. Then I greased the ball. I drove it from the campsite to home (353 miles) and it never made a sound!

Which means it's not working as it should. A properly adjusted Equal-i-zer WD system does require head tilt in order to properly transfer the correct amount of weight back to the vehicle's front steer axle, with that angle set by the number of washers used, typically 4 to 7, and when properly adjusted will make noise. You really owe it to yourself to read through the Equal-i-zer Installation Instructions and refresh your understanding of how this system is designed to work and what is required to install and have it adjusted correctly ... 'cause right now it's not.
Chappy_and_Junk
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Ok everybody. I took 2 washers out of the tilt on the hitch. It stands straight up now. Then I cleaned the grease off of the L brackets and the bars. Then I greased the ball. I drove it from the campsite to home (353 miles) and it never made a sound!
brulaz
Explorer
Mar 21, 2016
NinerBikes wrote:
I just want the weight distribution portion, I don't have much sway problems with my 21 foot travel trailer behind my VW Touareg TDI tow vehicle.

I would think just the opposite with a Touareg.
Don't they say not to use Weight Distribution ('cause of the Unibody?)?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Mar 21, 2016
I jumped for joy when I sold my trailer and could hitch my one-ton and flat tow. I used a #50,000 lb rated pintle hitch.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Mar 21, 2016
I just want the weight distribution portion, I don't have much sway problems with my 21 foot travel trailer behind my VW Touareg TDI tow vehicle.

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